What we’re about
Welcome to Orlando Stoics! We are a very active group, with 3300+ members and 5 meetings a week. Some meetings are online and others are in-person. All classes are free. We also have annual events, like "Stoicon-X Orlando" in November (for the Modern Stoicism movement) and our Winter Social in December (Stoics are allowed to have fun, too).
Why Stoicism? In our world of instant gratification, constant stimulation, and endless distractions, Stoicism offers a novel perspective on life. Interested in developing an unconquerable mind? Stoicism has the answers. We also link ideas to Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Existentialism, Minimalism, and other "lived philosophy" systems. We love in-depth discussions!
If you join our group, feel free to limit the emails and notifications. Since we have new meetings every week, those emails might be too much for your inbox. Feel free to turn them off (go to our meetup page, click "You're a Member", and then click group notifications). You can still check our meetup page for upcoming events, when you want to.
What is Stoicism? It's an ancient Greek school of philosophy founded about 300 BC in Athens. The first teacher was Zeno of Citium. The school taught that virtue (the highest good) is based on knowledge, and that wise people live in harmony with nature. The school also taught tolerance and self-control. Famous Stoics were Seneca the Younger, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. We also study modern Stoics.
The goals of our group:
1. We read the ancient books, plus the modern books on Stoicism.
2. We discuss Stoicism in the media, pop culture, and arts & literature.
3. We compare recurring themes in Stoicism to history, religion, and psychology.
There have always been people attracted to Stoicism. It was a major influence on Shakespeare, JD Salinger, Tom Wolfe, and Nelson Mandela. It’s also attracted political and military leaders, such as Frederick the Great, President Bill Clinton, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who said he read Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations over 100 times.
We hope you will join us. The group is open to the public and has no subscription fee. Stoicism can help you cope with life's stresses, while retaining your ethics & character.
We hope to see you soon!
Upcoming events
108
•OnlineONLINE / ENGLISH: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
OnlineThis is our series on Donald Robertson’s book “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor”. We will learn about the life of Marcus Aurelius and his philosophy practice. As usual on Friday nights, we will cover the book in-depth; see schedule below.
SCHEDULE
8-08-2025 Chap. 1
8-15-2025 Chap. 1 continued
8-22-2025 Chap. 2
8-29-2025 Chap. 2 continued
9-05-2025 Chap. 3
9-12-2025 Chap. 3 continued
9-19-2025 Chap. 4
9-26-2025 Chap. 4 continued
10-03-2025 Chap. 5
10-10-2025 Chap. 5 continued
10-17-2025 end of Chap 5, and start Chap. 6
10-24-2025 Chap. 6 continued
10-31-2025 Chap. 7
11-07-2025 Chap. 7 continued
11-14-2025 Chap. 8 (just 1 part)
11-21-2025 FinaleREADING MATERIALS
The book is available on Amazon and other booksellers. Various formats are available: audio, paperback, Kindle. Reading in advance is optional; We will collect highlights from each part of the book in an outline for the meeting.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9YYR62
Time
Meeting time (USA):
7:00PM Eastern
6:00PM Central
5:00PM Mountain
4:00PM PacificFor our international friends,
Please convert time with the free tool
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/Zoom Info
CLICK TO START MEETING - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88406764752?pwd=eTMrvI3pQ9WrsOFunluyFZ0XKcNoDN.1
Notice: The following numbers may not be correct. If you don't have a computer with a camera or a microphone, then you can attend by telephone. Dial one of these numbers and add meeting ID 865 5984 3870#
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 USIn general, Stoicism teaches us how to handle difficult people and events, how to avoid anger and worry, and to use moderation in life overall. We will discuss how Stoic practice can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Our group enjoys open-minded, respectful conversations on Stoicism and how it relates to science, culture, philosophy, history, other belief systems, and pop culture (books and movies). If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree". The long-term goal is to improve our minds via group discussions. Our group does NOT discuss religion or politics.
This event is free and open to the public.
15 attendees
•OnlineONLINE: Continental vs. Analytic Philosophy divide
OnlineThis week, we invite you to explore the split between Continental and Analytic philosophy—two major paradigms that differ significantly in their methodological approaches.
Analytic philosophy, which dominates in the English-speaking world, emphasizes clarity, logical reasoning, and linguistic analysis. It tends to focus on issues such as meaning, reference, and the structure of arguments.
Continental philosophy, more prevalent in Europe, is often historical and speculative. It engages with broad existential, social, and metaphysical questions, drawing on thinkers like Hegel, Heidegger, and Marx. The two traditions frequently differ in style, focus, and underlying intellectual assumptions.
We hope you'll join Plato’s Cave and the Orlando Stoics for this thought-provoking discussion.READING MATERIALS
Continental Philosophy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_philosophyAnalytic Philosophy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analytic_philosophyThe Continental vs. Analytic Philosophy split
https://philosophynow.org/issues/74/Analytic_versus_Continental_PhilosophyTIMEZONES
For our members in other states:
6:00 AM Pacific Time USA
7:00 AM Mountain Time USA
8:00 AM Central Time USA
9:00 AM Eastern Time USAIn other countries, please convert time using this free tool: https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
ZOOM INFO
The meeting starts at 9:00AM Eastern Time. After 15 minutes of chat, the presentation starts at 9:15AM sharp.CLICK TO JOIN - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83190269900?pwd=Jj1lbWLo3sdhWL830ba4NoF66liJvB.1
This group enjoys open-minded, respectful conversations. If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree". The long-term goal is to improve our minds via group discussions.
This meeting is free and open to the public.
11 attendees
•OnlineFriendship and the Stoic Character
OnlineThis week we’ll explore what The Meditations teaches about friendship and character. The reading focuses on gratitude for those who shaped one’s moral life and what it means to live with integrity, humility, and care for others.
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that friendship depends on seeing things and people as they truly are. He cautions against imagining them to be different, even when that illusion spares us from the truth that everything and everyone is temporary. Stoic friendship calls us to face reality honestly and to look at the people we care about with understanding, respect, and compassion.
In today’s world relationships are often shaped by distraction, haste, and unrealistic expectations. Stoic teachings offer a steady foundation, showing that real friendship grows from honesty, clarity, and mutual respect. Together we’ll discuss how these timeless insights can help us build stronger, more grounded relationships and communities.
Reading Material
- Friendship and the Stoic Character in Meditations Book 1 (Anthony Di Mento, Modern Stoicism)
- Explaining Epictetus on Love and Friendships: A Stoic Paradox (Greg Sadler, Modern Stoicism)
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Friendship
Time (USA)
7:00 PM Eastern
6:00 PM Central
5:00 PM Mountain
4:00 PM Pacific
Convert your timeZoom Link
Click to Join Meeting
Join by Phone
If you do not have a computer with a camera, you can also dial using a phone.One Tap Mobile
+13092053325,,81756205936#,,,,*069672# US
+13126266799,,81756205936#,,,,*069672# US (Chicago)Our group welcomes open-minded, respectful discussion on Stoicism and its relevance to daily life, relationships, and personal growth. We explore how Stoic ideas connect to modern philosophy, psychology, science, and culture with the goal of strengthening our character and living wisely together.
This meeting is free and open to the public.
6 attendees
Past events
1554
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