What we’re about
Welcome to Orlando Stoics! We are a very active group, with over 3,700 members and five meetings a week. Some meetings are held online, while others are in-person. All classes are free. We also have annual events, like "Stoicon-X Orlando" in November (for the Modern Stoicism movement) and our Winter Social in December (Stoics are allowed to have fun, too).
Why Stoicism? In our world of instant gratification, constant stimulation, and endless distractions, Stoicism offers a novel perspective on life. Interested in developing an unconquerable mind? Stoicism has the answers. We also link ideas to Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Existentialism, Minimalism, and other "lived philosophy" systems. We love in-depth discussions!
If you join our group, feel free to adjust the email and notification settings to suit your preferences. Since we have new meetings every week, those emails might be too much for your inbox. Feel free to turn them off (go to our meetup page, click "You're a Member", and then click group notifications). You can still check our meetup page for upcoming events whenever you want.
What is Stoicism? It's an ancient Greek school of philosophy founded about 300 BC in Athens. The first teacher was Zeno of Citium. The school taught that virtue (the highest good) is based on knowledge, and that wise people live in harmony with nature. The school also taught tolerance and self-control. Famous Stoics were Seneca the Younger, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. We also study modern Stoics.
The goals of our group:
1. We read the ancient books, plus the modern books on Stoicism.
2. We discuss Stoicism in the media, pop culture, and arts & literature.
3. We compare recurring themes in Stoicism to history, religion, and psychology.
There have always been people attracted to Stoicism. It was a significant influence on Shakespeare, JD Salinger, Tom Wolfe, and Nelson Mandela. It has also attracted political and military leaders, such as Frederick the Great, President Bill Clinton, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who stated that he has read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations over 100 times.
We hope you will join us. The group is open to the public and has no subscription fee. Stoicism can help you cope with life's stresses, while retaining your ethics & character.
We hope to see you soon!
Upcoming events
92
•OnlineMoral Beauty, Natural Beauty, and the Stoic Art of Living
OnlineThis week, we turn to a theme that rarely gets the attention it deserves in modern Stoic circles: beauty, not the commercial, cosmetic, or Instagram kind, but the deeper beauty the Stoics understood as virtue, harmony, and alignment with Nature. We’ll explore how the ancient Stoics, the Earl of Shaftesbury, and contemporary psychology all converge.
A virtuous life is a beautiful life. The ancient Stoics identified beauty with proportion, order, and right functioning, not in outward features, but in the internal structure of character. Seneca’s description of the sage as a mind shining with “constellations of the virtues” provides an entry point for understanding how moral beauty manifests in a human life.
We’ll also explore Brittany Polat’s writing on natural beauty, where Marcus Aurelius encourages us to see beauty even in unexpected places. For Marcus, beauty emerges not from curated perfection, but from an understanding of the deeper order of Nature. When we learn to see the world through this Stoic lens, beauty becomes available everywhere, not as decoration, but as a way of perceiving the coherence and rhythm of the cosmos. The world becomes beautiful the moment we learn how to look.
This meetup is inspired partly by the announcement of the upcoming Stoic Arts Conference (April 2026):
https://modernstoicism.com/announcing-the-stoic-arts-conference-in-april-2026/
Reading Material
The Inspirational Power of Moral Beauty
https://www.commonsenseethics.com/blog/the-inspirational-power-of-moral-beauty
Natural Beauty
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M3-VyLIaEtYnUD2GblIgg1_5pFOraDuA/view?usp=sharing
Time (USA)
7:00 PM Eastern
6:00 PM Central
5:00 PM Mountain
4:00 PM Pacific
[Convert your time]
Zoom Link
Click to Join
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85229202898?pwd=EUaEQn1bmcRK5l1fYkRCaFGUhhkd5i.1
Join by Phone
+13092053325,,81756205936#,,,,*069672# US
+13126266799,,81756205936#,,,,*069672# US (Chicago)
Our group welcomes open-minded, respectful discussion on Stoicism and its relevance to daily life, relationships, and personal growth. We explore how Stoic ideas connect to modern philosophy, psychology, science, and culture—with the goal of strengthening our character and living wisely together.
This meeting is free and open to the public.15 attendees
•OnlineONLINE / SPANISH: CARTAS A LUCILIO DE SENECA
OnlineEsta reunión es cada miércoles a las 7 p.m. EST
CALENDARIO
11/12/2025
IV. La muerte
11/26/2025
Carta 4: El temor a la muerte nos distrae de la realización de la vida
Carta 30: Cómo debemos esperar la muerte
12/3/2025
Carta 36: Aprendizaje del desprecio a la muerte
Carta 63: Moderación en el duelo por el amigo muerto
12/10/2025
Carta 70: Frente a la vida humillada, la muerte deliberada
Carta 82: Los falsos silogismos de Zenón sobre la muerte
Carta 99: Debemos perseverar en el recuerdo en la muerte de un ser querido
V. Otras cartas
12/17/2025
Carta 40: El discurso de la verdad debe ser sencillo y sin adornos
Carta 47: Trato humano con los esclavos
Carta 75: Sencillez en el estilo.
Carta 84: En la lectura debemos imitar a las
ZONAS HORARIAS
Hora de encuentro (EE. UU.):
19:00 h, hora del este
18:00 h, hora central
17:00 h, hora de las montañas
16:00 h, hora del Pacífico
Para nuestros amigos internacionales:
Conviertan la hora con la herramienta gratuita
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
ENLACE ZOOM
HAGA CLIC PARA COMENZAR LA REUNIÓN - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7156108004
Si no tienes una computadora con cámara, también puedes marcar usando un teléfono. Elige uno de estos números y agrega el ID 7156108004#
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
Nuestro grupo disfruta de conversaciones abiertas y respetuosas sobre el estoicismo y su relación con la ciencia, la cultura, la filosofía, otros sistemas de creencias e incluso la cultura popular (libros y películas). A veces "acordamos estar en desacuerdo", pero el objetivo a largo plazo es mejorar nuestras mentes a través de debates grupales.
En general, el estoicismo nos enseña cómo manejar personas y eventos difíciles, cómo evitar la ira y la preocupación y, sobre todo, a utilizar la moderación en todos los aspectos de nuestra vida.
Esta reunión es gratuita y abierta al público.2 attendees
"Travels with Epicurus" Online on Friday Nights
Location not specified yetORLANDO STOICS, "TRAVELS WITH EPICURUS"
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86077845857pwd=cKj17YJ7R6KfiagIx3lfBCMJwaZsKi.1
Meeting ID (You should not need this meeting ID): 860 7784 5857
Passcode (You should not need this passcode): 557735
DETAILS: This is our Friday night series starting on 11/28/2025. Join us as we read Daniel Klein’s book, “Travels with Epicurus.” We will accompany the then 73-year old author on his travels to the Greek island of Hydra where he seeks the answer to aging happily. His quest leads him to focus on the teachings and inspiring life of Epicurus. Along the way, the author also explores the wisdom of Stoicism, Bertrand Russell, Eric Erikson, Aristotle, William James, and others. Is Aristotelian old-age grumpiness the most personally honest way to go? Is Stoicism more about denying rather than transcending pain? Are the best years of our lives in our old age? Join us as we explore these questions and read one of NPR’s best books of 2012, a UK Sunday Times Bestseller, and a book the UK’s Daily Telegraph coined “wry, whimsical, amusing, and intelligent.”
SCHEDULE
11-28-2025 Prologue and Chap. 1
12-5-2025 Chap. 2
12-12-2025 Chap. 3
12-19-2025 Chap 4
12-26-2025 Chap. 5
1-2-2026 Chap. 6
1-9-2026 Chap 7 and Epilogue
READING MATERIALS: The book is available on Amazon and at other booksellers in audio, paperback, and Kindle. Reading in advance is optional. We will collect highlights from each part of the book in an outline for the meeting.
https://www.amazon.com/Travels-Epicurus-Journey-Island-Fulfilled/dp/0143126628
MEETING TIME (USA): Conversion tool for our international friends: www.worldtimebuddy.com
7:00PM Eastern
6:00PM Central
5:00PM Mountain
4:00PM Pacific
In general, Stoicism teaches us how to handle difficult people and events, how to avoid anger and worry, and to use moderation in life overall. We will discuss how Stoic practice can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Our group enjoys open-minded, respectful conversations on Stoicism and how it relates to science, culture, philosophy, history, other belief systems, and pop culture (books and movies). If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree". The long-term goal is to improve our minds via group discussions. Our group does NOT discuss religion or politics.
This event is free and open to the public.19 attendees
•OnlineONLINE: TBD
OnlineTBD
TIMEZONES
For our members in other states:
6:00 AM Pacific Time USA
7:00 AM Mountain Time USA
8:00 AM Central Time USA
9:00 AM Eastern Time USA
In other countries, please convert time using this free tool:
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com
The meeting starts at 9:00AM Eastern Time. After 15 minutes of chat, the presentation starts at 9:15AM sharp.
ZOOM INFO:
CLICK TO JOIN - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83190269900?pwd=Jj1lbWLo3sdhWL830ba4NoF66liJvB.1
This group is a combined meeting of the Orlando Stoics and Plato’s Cave members. We enjoy open-minded, respectful conversations. If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree.” The long-term goal is to expand our minds via group discussions.
This meeting is free and open to the public.5 attendees
Past events
1584
Group links
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