In ancient times, a Stoic was a member of a Greek philosophical school. The modern time some people believe that Stoicism were cold and inhumane. In reality, Stoicism is a humanistic philosophy designed to help its practitioners find an inner peace that cannot be shaken by outer events.
In What Is Stoicism?, Tanner Campbell and Kai Whiting introduce Stoicism to a new generation. Divided into short chapters that can be read in brief sittings, the book compresses several Stoic thought into simple conversational prose. With examples and quotes from famous Stoics, this book covers topics such as:
- the three pillars of Stoic philosophy: logic, physics, and ethics
- the ultimate goal of Stoicism: sagehood
- the Stoic concept of circles of concern: our individual obligations to our family, community, and world
- the Stoic ideal of living in accordance with nature
- the question of whether belief in God is necessary for practicing Stoicism
During the journey, readers will meet some of the larger-than-life characters who have embodied Stoic ideals: Epictetus, a disabled slave who became a respected teacher of Stoicism; Seneca the Younger, the mentor of the infamous Roman emperor Nero; and the emperor Marcus Aurelius, whose austere Meditations have inspired thinkers for nearly two millennia. In the end, readers will come to appreciate the vitality of Stoicism and realize how the wisdom of the past can meet the challenges of the future.
