The Philosophy Lab

[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]

The Stoics developed a system of valid reasoning and argumentation that nowadays we would call "logic". However, the ancients didn't call it this; instead, they called it "dialectic". This seems strange on its face. Dialectic comes from the Greek roots meaning "speaking between" and usually involves back and forth questioning amongst two or more people, like Socrates did with his interlocutors, and which seems mostly absent from Stoic dialectic. Yet no ancient sources ever called the Stoics out for mislabeling their system of reasoning. Why is that?

At this final online meetup of 2025, we'll conclude our study of Stoic logic by attempting to answer this question as well as explore the meaning and practice of dialectic more broadly.

To prepare for this meetup, please read Luca Castagnoli's chapter in Ancient Models of Mind: Studies in Human and Divine Rationality entitled How Dialectical was Stoic Dialectic in full and come prepared with any points you'd like to discuss or questions you may have. You can download the chapter for free here.

[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.

We continue our series of in-depth discussions of the Discourses of Epictetus, a book that has literally changed my life and that I think is one of the most important of the entire Western philosophical canon, if not of philosophy worldwide. The idea is to slowly and deliberately make our way through all four books of the Discourses, taking our time to understand what Epictetus says, why he says it, and whether it may be helpful to us denizens of the 21st century.

This time we'll resume with section 1.2, "How to preserve conformity with one's role in every situation." There, Epictetus explains his theory of role ethics, featuring examples ranging from how to deal with a tyrant to whether a philosopher should shave off his beard if that compromises his identity as a philosopher.

I recommend the Robin Waterfield translation of Epictetus, published in 2024 by the University of Chicago Press.

Please note that the zoom link will be shared with registered participants on the event page, the morning of the meeting. Keep an eye on it!