Liz Gloyn on Seneca and the family

Join Massimo Pigliucci and Rob Colter as they talk to Liz Gloyn, author of The Ethics of the Family in Seneca. (https://bookshop.org/books/the-ethics-of-the-family-in-seneca/9781107145474)

Gloyn's book is the first extensive study of the role of the family in the work of Seneca. It offers a new way of reading philosophy that combines philosophical analysis with social, cultural and historical factors to bring out the ways in which Stoicism presents itself as in tune with the universe. The family serves a central role in an individual's moral development - both the family as conventionally understood, and the wider conceptual family which Stoicism constructs. Innovative readings of Seneca's work bring out the importance of the family to his thought and how it interacts with other Stoic doctrines. We learn how to be virtuous from observing and imitating our family, who can be biological relatives or people we choose as our intellectual ancestors. The Ethics of the Family in Seneca will be of particular interest to researchers in Roman Stoicism, imperial culture and the history of the family.

Liz Gloyn is Lecturer in Classics at Royal Holloway, University of London. As well as Latin literature and Roman philosophy, her research interests also include the history of women as professional classicists and the role of classical monsters in modern popular culture.

Massimo is the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and the practical philosophy of Stoicism. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books). His latest book is A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living (Basic Books). More by Massimo at massimopigliucci.com.

Rob is Associate Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Wyoming and received my PhD from Northwestern University in 2001. His research focuses on Ancient Philosophy and Philosophical Pedagogy. In addition to teaching at UW, he organizes an annual Stoic Camp for public attendance and teaches philosophy courses in Wyoming prisons. In his spare time, he likes to be with his family, cook, read, and fly fish in the wilderness of Wyoming.

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