The Philosophy Lab

We live in times of social and political turmoil. So did the Stoics two millennia ago. Is there any guidance they could give us about how to navigate that kind of challenge? It is often said that the Stoics did not have much to contribute to discussions of politics, because Stoicism is an inward-looking, personal philosophy. But is that really the case?

Join John Sellars and Massimo Pigliucci for an exploration of Stoicism and politics, with the aim not just to learn from the ancients, but to figure out, together, reason-based approaches to what is happening around the world right now.

Suggested readings:

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, 9 January

Morning session: Introduction—Traditional Greek political thinking in the polis (Plato, Aristotle); the shift after Alexander (Cynics, cosmopolitanism); active Stoics versus retiring Epicureans. (John & Massimo)

Afternoon session: Cicero (and Panaetius)—On Duties. (Massimo)

Saturday, 10 January

Morning session: Seneca—On Clemency and On Benefits. (Massimo_

Afternoon session: Epictetus and the Stoic Opposition. Stoicism and tyranny. (John)

Sunday, 11 January

Morning session: Marcus Aurelius and politics, selections from Meditations. (John)

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.