[NYC Stoics reading group] The Four Stoic Personae

[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]

Over the past few months, NYC Stoics have covered several papers concerning one of the most important concepts in Stoicism: appropriate actions (kathekonta). Being able to choose what actions are appropriate is a skill one can improve upon as a practicing Stoic, and each appropriate act that is chosen is one step on the path to a life worth living (eudaimonia).

We've already explored one way to decide on what action is appropriate: by selecting preferred indifferents according to their value. However, around the time of the Middle Stoa, another framework emerged by which to deliberate what acts are appropriate: role ethics. This framework was transformed and plays a major part in the Late Stoa, most notably in Epictetus's work.

At this meetup, we'll explore the basics of the Middle Stoa's take on role ethics by reading and discussing Phillip H. De Lacy's classic paper, The Four Stoic Personae.

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 from the University of Illinois. Here is the direct download link.

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