Introduction to Stoicism 9: The Taming of Passions (Part II)

Hello Fellow Stoics,

For this Meetup we are wrapping up our journey through Seneca's thoughts on anger and how to tame it. Looking forward to hearing Seneca's wisdom on how to tame this strong passion. This will be our final introduction to Stoicism Meetup and after this we're going to dive into the three pillars of Stoicism (physics, ethics, and logic).

For this session, we will be finishing Seneca's "To Novatus on Anger: Book 3". The focus will be on paragraphs 20-43 (pg 80-96) from Seneca’s work, found in the collection "Anger, Mercy, Revenge," translated and edited by Robert A. Kaster and Martha C. Nussbaum. The book can be found here: https://archive.org/details/anger-mercy-revenge-pdf-room
Or, for a valuable addition to your personal library, purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Complete-Lucius-Annaeus-Seneca/dp/0226748421

For our discussion, we are introducing a dual approach to encourage diverse and meaningful participation:

Option 1: Bring Three Quotes - Select three quotes from the book that you find particularly meaningful, impactful, or confusing. These could be passages that resonated with you, sparked a thought, or left you with questions. We’ll share these quotes in our session and discuss why they stood out and their relevance in Stoic philosophy.

Option 2: Personal Reflections - Alternatively, reflect on how Seneca’s teachings on anger relate to your own life experiences. Share a story (or stories or instances) where you've encountered or dealt with anger, and discuss how Seneca’s ideas align with or challenge your personal experiences.

You’re welcome to choose either option or even a combination of both for our discussion.

Previous knowledge is not required, though the previous pages in this book do help support the thesis. Newcomers to Stoic philosophy are also encouraged to check out the Stoic Foundation's Stoic Handbook for an introduction: https://www.thestoicregistry.org/res/the-stoic-handbook/

As always, there's no pressure—our aim is to enjoy relaxed and enriching discussions over drinks and food (if preferred).

Looking forward to another great session filled with stimulating conversation and insights!

See you all soon!