Beyond Stoicism: Bringing Ancient Insights to Modern Life

Beyond Stoicism Chapter 12 Stilpo The Megarian

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 studied Chapter 11, “Pythagoras The Mystic”. Pythagoras of Samos was born in 570 BCE. Pythagoras studied with various philosophies and religions. He learned natural philosophy from Greek thinkers like Thales and Anaximenes, but also traveled to Egypt for 22 years to study, Religion, Mathematics and Astronomy. In our meeting we examined his thoughts on Reincarnation of the Soul (metempsychosis), Vegetarianism, Numerology-Harmonics, Friendship and his thoughts on Political involvement.

This month we will continue into the Lands of “Here Be Dragons”. Our authors warn us that although the following philosophers (Pythagoras, Stilpo and Hypatia) beliefs’ are not intrinsically dangerous, they are strange and may be difficult to practice in our modern life.

Chapter 12 is called, “Stilpo The Megarian”. Stilpo was born in West Attica 360 BCE (or 380 BCE). He was known not only for his integrity and patience, but also for winning over philosophers due to his formidable debating skills. In fact, perhaps his biggest win was convincing Zeno of Citium—later the founder of Stoicism—to leave Crates the Cynic to become his pupil. Zeno studied under Stilpo for ten years. Now modern scholars are divided on whether there was a single Megarian school of philosophy or more (i.e., Dialecticians and Eristic). In his session we will examine theories of knowledge that involve two types of perception sensual and rational, theories of metaphysics that involve accessing universal truths, and theory of logic that explores paradoxes like the famous paradox of the heap.

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. 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 February 15th Sunday 3:00 to 4:30 pm.

Part IV: The Port of “Here Be Dragons”
Chapter 12: Stilpo The Megarian