About us
‘The Global Stoa’ was established on 18 January 2007 by Prof. Massimo Pigliucci (City College of New York). The group is devoted to foster a worldwide community of people who see philosophy (not just Stoicism) as a way of life. The goal is to explore how philosophy can be helpful in everyday life, to foster rational thinking, and to develop a human community rooted in reason. More about Massimo here and here.
Upcoming events
3
![[NYC Stoics] Diogenes Laertius II: Physics](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/2/1/4/highres_533977396.jpeg)
[NYC Stoics] Diogenes Laertius II: Physics
·OnlineOnline[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]
At this meetup, we'll continue 2026's theme of exploring readings that cover Stoicism as a coherent practical philosophy. This time, we'll tackle Stoic physics, as presented by the ancient biographer of philosophers, Diogenes Laertius.
To prepare, please read Sections 132 through 160 in Book VII of Diogenes Laertius' Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, which covers Stoic physics. You can find the reading here for free. Come prepared with any questions or comments you may have concerning the material.
We assume all attendees have done the required reading beforehand, so if you haven't read it, you'll likely be left behind!
32 attendees- $262.50
Turin Practical Philosophy Retreat: Cicero and the Stoics
University of Turin, Via Giulio di Barolo 3, Turin, ITThroughout history it has always been true that people don’t know as much as they think they do. The ancient Greeks and Romans formulated an approach to life based on this notion. They recognized that adjusting our beliefs to the evidence while keeping in mind that we could be mistaken is the path to a just society—and a happy and meaningful life.
During this retreat we will adopt the ancient Roman public advocate, orator, statesman, and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero as our guide to reveal the benefits of cultivating curiosity and doubt in the pursuit of a life worth living. Cicero’s skeptical philosophy is more relevant than ever in our current age of misinformation.
Join Rob Colter, John Sellars and Massimo Pigliucci for an exploration of Cicero’s life and works, during which we will examine the foundations for a good life, from how to formulate our values to how to nurture friendships; from being a good citizen and fighting for social justice to handling grief, pain, and even death. Skepticism as a philosophy was developed during a time of violence, social upheaval, and political turmoil. Taking a page from Cicero’s book, we, too, can adopt a practical philosophy of reason and learn to live well through uncertain times.
Suggested readings: How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic–The Power of Doubt in a Meaningful Life–Lessons from Cicero's Philosophy, by Massimo Pigliucci, Penguin, 2026.
How to Run a Country: An Ancient Guide for Modern Leaders, by Cicero, translated by Philip Freeman
How to Be a Friend: An Ancient Guide to True Friendship, by Cicero, translated by Philip Freeman
How to Grow Old: Ancient Wisdom for the Second Half of Life, by Cicero, translated by Philip Freeman
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Location: University of Turin, Italy. Room: Sala Pellegrino, third floor of the Erik Peterson Library, University of Turin, Via Giulio di Barolo 3, Turin.
Accomodations: we recommend the Santa Giulia Hotel & Residence, Via Santa Giulia 41, Turin. We don't know what availability there is, so it's best to book early. Failing that, you can center on the Santa Giulia location for a search of alternative hotels and Airbnb's.
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Program
Thursday, 4 June
Morning session: Why Cicero? His time, life, and philosophy (Massimo)
Afternoon session: How do we know? (Academica) and What's important? (De Finibus) (John)
Friday, 5 June
Morning session: How to be a good citizen (De Officiis) and a just society (De Re Publica, De Legibus) (John)
Afternoon session: How to be a good friend (De Amicitia) and age well (De Senectute) (Massimo)
Saturday, 6 June
Morning session: How to grieve (Tusculan Disputations III) and how to face pain and death (Tusculan Disputations I & II) (Rob)
Afternoon: After lunch excursion to the Museum of Antiquities in Turin.
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About the facilitators:
Rob Colter is Senior Lecturer and Department Head in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Wyoming. He received his PhD from Northwestern University in 2001. Rob’s research focuses on Ancient Philosophy and Philosophical Pedagogy. In addition to teaching at UW, he also organizes an annual Stoic Camp for public attendance and is Director of Wyoming Pathways from Prison, the university’s prison education program.
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 How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic–The Power of Doubt in a Meaningful Life–Lessons from Cicero's Philosophy. 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 + 5% PayPal fee = $262.50.
Refund (minus Meetup and PayPal processing fees) if: (i) the seminar is canceled; or (ii) if you cancel by midnight (ET) on 3 March 2026.
25 attendees 
Book launch! How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic!
·OnlineOnlineMy new book, How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic: The Power of Doubt in a Meaningful Life–Lessons from Cicero's Philosophy, is coming out, in both the US and the UK, on June 16th!
Join me on publication day for a special online event featuring a conversation between yours truly and my friend and collaborator Skye Cleary. We'll examine the philosophy of Skepticism, what it offers to modern life, how it can be combined with other philosophies of life, such as Stoicism, and what Marcus Tullius Cicero contributed to all of this.
The book is available for purchase here and here, and wherever books are sold. Enjoy!
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 academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. Massimo publishes a regular column in Philosophy Now entitled “The Art of Living.” His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk. Massimo’s latest is How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic: The Power of Doubt in a Meaningful Life. More by Massimo here.
Skye C. Cleary PhD MBA is a philosopher and author of How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment, Existentialism and the Authentic Life, Existentialism and Romantic Love, and co-editor of How to Live a Good Life.
She is a Thinking Partner with Philosophy at Work and a lecturer at Columbia University. She has also taught courses at the City College of New York, Barnard College, the New York Public Library, and has volunteered teaching in prison education programs and underserved schools in the Bronx as part of the PEN America Writers in the Schools program. More by Skye here.NOTE: The Zoom link will be published on this page on the morning of the event.
87 attendees
Past events
472
![[NYC Stoics] Diogenes Laertius I: Logic](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/1/8/highres_533564312.jpeg)
