The Philosophy Lab

[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]

There's little doubt that many of the ancient Stoics connected their ethics to their worldview. However, many modern Stoics disagree with much of ancient Stoic physics. Additionally, how deeply connected their physics were to their ethics is open to question.

So, how deeply dependent is Stoic ethics on the Stoic worldview? How much of ancient Stoic worldview must modern practitioners accept in order to practice Stoicism coherently? And what does this mean for how modern practitioners should approach Stoicism?

At this meetup, we'll explore these questions by discussing Christopher Gill's paper on the topic entitled "Stoic Ethical Theory: How Much is Enough?"

To prepare for the meetup, please read the paper in full and come prepared with questions or concepts you want to discuss. It is available for free here.

We'll be assuming you did the reading at this meetup, so if you didn't, it's likely you'll be left behind!

[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]

Come join us for in-person Stoic discussion!

Here's our agenda for this meetup:

4-5pm: informal, optional hangout:

• Grab some food from Market 57 and let's just hang out and chat about whatever. It's okay to skip this part if you just want to come for the Stoicism

5-7pm: The main event:

• Open Q&A and discussion about Stoicism
• Deep read of Enchiridion 27: we'll read through Enchiridion 27 together and share our main practical takeaways. (You can compare multiple public domain translations here: https://enchiridion.tasuki.org/)

You're welcome to come only for the Stoic discussion from 5-7pm, or just show up at 4pm for the more open hangout and discussion.

Notes on the venue: We'll be in Oyster Classroom in Pier 57 (25 11th Ave New York, NY 10011), which I reserved just for our group. Outside food is not permitted, but food from the nearby Market 57 is. Here's a map of the interior of Pier 57: go to Oyster Classroom.

Seneca’s On Clemency and On Benefits.
Cicero’s On Duties.
Epictetus’s Discourses.
Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations.

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Location: Hotel Atlantico (Cavour room), Via Cavour 23, Rome (Italy).

This event is sponsored by the Stoa Nova school for a new Stoicism, and will be facilitated by two of its faculty.

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Program

Friday, January 9

9am-12pm: Introduction—Stoicism and politics. Political thought before the Stoics, engagement versus retirement, cosmopolitanism.

12pm-3pm: Lunch break, eateries nearby.

3pm-6pm: Cicero (and Panaetius)—On Duties.

7pm-10pm: Dinner in small groups, philosophy chats.

Saturday, January 10

9am-12pm: Seneca—On Clemency and On Benefits.

12pm-3pm: Lunch break, eateries nearby.

3pm-6pm: Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius—Selections from Discourses and Meditations.

7pm-10pm: Social dinner, location TBA.

Sunday, January 11

9am-12pm: The Stoic Opposition—Stoicism and tyranny.

12pm-2pm: Lunch break, eateries nearby.

Afternoon: Half-day excursion to either the Roman Forum (if the weather is good) or Palazzo Massimo and the Baths of Diocletian. (Both latter locations are part of the Roman National Museum, only one ticket needed).

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About the facilitators:

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His new book is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment). He is also the best selling author of How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.

John Sellars is a Reader in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London (where he is currently program lead for Philosophy). He is a founder member of the London Centre for Ancient Philosophy. John is also a member of two non-profit organizations aimed at bringing the ancient philosophy of Stoicism to a wider audience, Modern Stoicism (of which he is the current Chair) and The Aurelius Foundation. John’s books include The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurus and the Art of Happiness (Allen Lane, 2022) and Lessons in Stoicism: What Ancient Philosophers Teach Us about How to Live (Allen Lane, 2019).

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Fee: $250/person. Payment by PayPal (PLEASE pick the “friends” not “business” option to avoid a processing fee).

Refund (minus Meetup and PayPal processing fees) if: (i) the seminar is canceled; or (ii) if you cancel by midnight (ET) on 9 November 2025.