About us
This group is dedicated to the serious study and lived practice of Stoic philosophy as a way of life. Together, we explore how the teachings of the ancient Stoics can be applied thoughtfully and rigorously to the challenges of modern living.
We welcome newcomers and experienced practitioners alike. No prior background is required, only a genuine interest in examining one’s beliefs, habits, and character. Our discussions are structured to meet people where they are, while also encouraging steady growth in understanding and practice.
Our meetings focus on engaging directly with Stoic texts, reflecting on real-life situations, and considering how Stoic ideas apply to the choices we face. We emphasize virtue, self-discipline, sound judgment, and responsibility for one’s inner life not as abstract ideals, but as habits formed through daily attention and effort.
How the course works
We run an ongoing 12-chapter Stoicism 101 course that repeats continuously throughout the year.
- We meet Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Each night covers a different chapter
- After Chapter 12, the course loops back to Chapter 1
- You can join at any point
If you attend one night per week, you will complete the full course in about three months. If you attend multiple nights per week, you can move through the course more quickly. Each session stands on its own while also fitting into the larger structure.
Alongside the main course, every week we host Sunday Stoa, a more community-oriented, book club–style gathering, as well as Friday events that alternate between a Stoic Men’s group and a Neoplatonic discussion hosted through our sister meetup, The Cambridge Platonists.
If you’re looking for thoughtful conversation, sincere self-examination, and a community committed to practicing philosophy rather than merely talking about it, you’re very welcome to join us.
Upcoming events
17
Stoicism 101: Week 11 - The Happy Life
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for an evening of Stoic philosophy and discussion. We'll kick off the event with a short presentation exploring one of the core ideas of Stoicism, focusing on its real-world application with some practices drawn from the texts. Following the presentation, we'll break into smaller groups for a lightly-facilitated discussion about the topic.
This week, we’ll be discussing the Happy Life, Stoic joy, and how our pursuit of virtue should also make us the happiest people. We'll also talk about how to deal with critics, and how practice Stoicism if you aren't temperamentally suited for it.
Here's the video we'll be watching: https://youtu.be/G1nM9UCJCIs?si=8Ht89YsSxfG3OcPP&t=12794
And here's the text, along with the rest of the resources for the course: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6r2KFyv7f-vChnX-9eKovdFsQ6DYoc_CV5RZtJb9XA/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks so much for your interest, and please remember:
"There is no such thing as good or bad fortune for the individual; we live in common. And no one can live happily who has regard to himself alone and transforms everything into a question of his own utility; you must live for your neighbor, if you would live for yourself." - Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter 48
23 attendees
Stoicism 101: Week 4 - Courage
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for an evening of Stoic philosophy and discussion. We'll kick off the event with a short presentation exploring one of the core ideas of Stoicism, focusing on its real-world application with some practices drawn from the texts. Following the presentation, we'll break into smaller groups for a lightly-facilitated discussion about the topic.
This week, we’ll be discussing courage, bravery, and freedom. We’ll also be going over a couple practices; one to get over our fears of embarrassment and another to get over our fears of everything else.
Here's the video we'll be watching: https://youtu.be/G1nM9UCJCIs?si=8Ll8J-3-Y_VwQhsi&t=3731
And here's the text, along with the rest of the resources for the course: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6r2KFyv7f-vChnX-9eKovdFsQ6DYoc_CV5RZtJb9XA/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks so much for your interest, and please remember:
"There is no such thing as good or bad fortune for the individual; we live in common. And no one can live happily who has regard to himself alone and transforms everything into a question of his own utility; you must live for your neighbor, if you would live for yourself." - Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter 48
12 attendees
Stoicism 101: Week 6 - Self-Control
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for an evening of Stoic philosophy and discussion. We'll kick off the event with a short presentation exploring one of the core ideas of Stoicism, focusing on its real-world application with some practices drawn from the texts. Following the presentation, we'll break into smaller groups for a lightly-facilitated discussion about the topic.
This week, we’ll be discussing self-control and the value of voluntary self-denial across several areas of our lives, including food, money, sex, travel, and substance use. We'll also discuss a practice designed to help free us of from the fear of poverty.
Here's the video we'll be watching: https://youtu.be/G1nM9UCJCIs?si=3SYe2bX3xpt3t9A_&t=6203
And here's the text, along with the rest of the resources for the course: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6r2KFyv7f-vChnX-9eKovdFsQ6DYoc_CV5RZtJb9XA/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks so much for your interest, and please remember:
"There is no such thing as good or bad fortune for the individual; we live in common. And no one can live happily who has regard to himself alone and transforms everything into a question of his own utility; you must live for your neighbor, if you would live for yourself." - Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter 48
5 attendees
Stoic Men's Group
·OnlineOnlineThis group is for men who want to deepen their Stoic practice and cultivate genuine strength of character. We’ll start by listening to short passages from the original Stoic texts, reflect on them together, and connect those ideas to real life, relationships, work, and the choices we face every day.
This week, we’ll continue with parts 10–14 of On the Firmness of the Wise Man, where Seneca turns from injury to insult and argues that the wise person is untouched even by disrespect, ridicule, or humiliation. He treats insults as signs of childishness, ignorance, or sickness of mind, and insists that offense exists only where there is insecurity. We’ll explore the Stoic claim that dignity comes from self-command, not recognition, and what it means to live beyond resentment, wounded pride, and the need for approval.
Come ready to think, talk, and take something useful back to your life.
Here’s the text and video:
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/On_the_Firmness_of_the_Wise_Man#X.
https://youtu.be/7FOFQ-ZkFrk?si=ezaCBKiEv9lPIqO-&t=1760"Associate with those who will make a better man of you. Welcome those whom you yourself can improve. The process is mutual; for men learn while they teach." - Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter 7
1 attendee
Past events
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