Philosophy Course: Stoicism

Stoicism, dating from the fourth century BCE, has experienced a major revival in recent times owing to such popular authors and online figures as Ryan Holiday and Massimo Pigliucci. Emphasising the importance of reason for attaining a state of tranquillity, it remains as relevant to our contemporary experience as it did to that of our ancient Greek and Roman forebears.

Key figures in the development of Stoicism – including the great statesman, Seneca, the ex-slave, Epictetus, and the meditative emperor, Marcus Aurelius – have helped formulate a timeless system of moral principles and psychological techniques that can help us meet the triumphs and tragedies of life with genuine equanimity and allow us to flourish in a manner that benefits not just ourselves but our loved ones and wider communities.

In this short course, we will explore the worldview of the Roman Stoics especially while discussing their striking careers and seminal works. To this end, we will break down the core components of the Stoic psychological apparatus and the underpinning virtues of courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. The course aims to make Stoicism both intelligible and enjoyable, and a potential means of attaining a good life.