Friendship and the Stoic Character

This 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
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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.