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In the following months Philadelphia Stoa will be reading “Beyond Stoicism A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans and Other Ancient Philosophers” written by Massimo Pigliucci, Gregory Lopez, and Meredith Alexander Kunz. Published January 7th 2025.
The purpose of this book is help create a meaningful life. Our authors attempt this by drawing inspiration from thirteen prominent philosophers of Ancient Greece and Roman. Each chapter combine glimpses into a philosopher’s life with an exploration of the thinker’s practical philosophy closing with exercises for putting his or her teachings to work for us.
Last month we continued “The Port of Character” with the Cynic Philosophers Hipparchia (350-250 BC) and her husband Crates. Chapter 5 is called, “Be A Rebel Like Hipparchia”. Hipparchia was a rebel in the sense of being free from social convention (eleutheria). She advocated for her own self-education instead of being a woman who just stays at home washing clothes and raising children. The Philosophy of Cynicism is a precursor to Stoicism. Cynics argued that to live virtuously is to practice virtue everywhere and at all times. This can be achieved if one adopts a natural, and ascetic lifestyle… a kind of self-sufficiency (autarkeia). Furthermore, to be natural is to be free from social norms (eleutheria). And lastly this freedom cannot be had unless one is free to reason and to speak freely (parrhesia). When Diogenes of Sinope, was asked what is the most beautiful thing in the world he replied parrhesia.
This month we will continue with “The Port of Character” with Plato (428-348 BC). Chapter 6 is called, “Work Toward A Just Society With Plato”. Plato was keenly aware of how Athenian democracy had been responsible for the execution of Socrates his teacher. How could a simple majority of votes decide the fate of an individual or an entire society? This is more akin to mob rule or tyranny of the majority. We examine how Plato understands Justice in terms of Fairness and we explore his sharp disapproval of Democracy. Plato argued for a Philosopher-king who is not a tyrant. For Plato, a Politician requires a skill set rooted in virtue (arete), which takes proper education and practice. Plato thought we are instinctively social beings that are capable of being educated. Indeed, for him, life will be better when people come to understand the value of cooperation.
In general our meetings will be divided into two parts. The first part I will briefly review their theoretical arguments of the thinkers… here I expect questions will be raised. The next part will involve group work. Our authors have provided various sets of exercises to practice.
One copy of the book will be provided to be purchased. You can also purchase the book via Amazon (see link below). Also Please see the video of our Authors discussing their new book with Professor Gregory Sadler.
Video Discussion with the Authors about "Beyond Stoicism".
https://thephilosophygarden.substack.com/p/video-beyond-stoicism?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#media-4c0afcd9-cc7b-44db-80b0-3ecd7ad613f6
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Meeting: Philadelphia Ethical Society on June 15th Sunday 3:00 to 4:30 pm.
Part II: The Port of Character
Chapter 6: Work Toward A Just Society With Plato
Beyond Stoicism