Stoic Foundations

An essential guide to the core texts of Stoic philosophy, featuring a new introduction from Massimo Pigliucci, author of How To Be A Stoic Stoicism is a philosophy, a worldview, and a transformational practice. Throughout the centuries everyone from kings and presidents to Silicone Valley entrepreneurs have drawn inspiration and wisdom from Stoicism. The best way to learn about Stoic philosophy is always to go back to the foundation—the original texts, written by the great Stoic philosophers. Three writers form the bedrock of Stoic thought: Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor; Seneca, a playwright and advisor; and Epictetus, a former slave turned philosopher and teacher. Stoic Foundations combines the work of these three pillars of Stoic thought into one essential volume, including Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, selections from Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic, and Epictetus’s Enchiridion. Though they were written millennia ago, these texts have resonated with readers across the centuries, offering powerful, clear guidance that remains relevant and transformative in the modern day. Featuring an insightful introduction from Massimo Pigliucci, author of How to Be A Stoic, Stoic Foundations is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring modern Stoicism and in reading the luminaries of Stoic philosophy in their own words.

Stoic Foundations is the plain English version of Discourses Book 1 by the eminent Stoic philosopher Epictetus. It reveloves around 10 themes which arw also repeated in other places throughout Discourses. These are: * Concern yourself with only what is in your power * Be content to let things happen as they do * Your thinking, not the externals, drives your behavior * Do not place value on external things * Don't give in to your anger or animal instincts * You can handle anything; always act your best Learn to think properly and logically * Practice, not knowledge, results in progress * Only you can make you happy Dr. Chuck Chakrapani has been a long-term, but embarrassingly inconsistent practitioner of Stoicism. He is the president of Leger Analytics and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University.

An exploration of Stoicism’s central role in British and American writing of the Romantic period Stoic philosophers and Romantic writers might seem to have nothing in common: the ancient Stoics championed the elimination of emotion, and Romantic writers made a bold new case for expression, adopting “powerful feeling” as the bedrock of poetry. Stoic Romanticism and the Ethics of Emotion refutes this notion by demonstrating that Romantic-era writers devoted a surprising amount of attention to Stoicism and its dispassionate mandate. Jacob Risinger explores the subterranean but vital life of Stoic philosophy in British and American Romanticism, from William Wordsworth to Ralph Waldo Emerson. He shows that the Romantic era—the period most polemically invested in emotion as art’s mainspring—was also captivated by the Stoic idea that aesthetic and ethical judgment demanded the transcendence of emotion. Risinger argues that Stoicism was a central preoccupation in a world destabilized by the French Revolution. Creating a space for the skeptical evaluation of feeling and affect, Stoicism became the subject of poetic reflection, ethical inquiry, and political debate. Risinger examines Wordsworth’s affinity with William Godwin’s evolving philosophy, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s attempt to embed Stoic reflection within the lyric itself, Lord Byron’s depiction of Stoicism at the level of character, visions of a Stoic future in novels by Mary Shelley and Sarah Scott, and the Stoic foundations of Emerson’s arguments for self-reliance and social reform. Stoic Romanticism and the Ethics of Emotion illustrates how the austerity of ancient philosophy was not inimical to Romantic creativity, but vital to its realization.

Although efforts have been under way for the past two centuries to treat language scientifically, linguists and others who work with language, speech, or communication have not found an adequate scientific foundation in current linguistic theory. Many of the difficulties are caused by longstanding confusions between the logical domain of science and grammar and the physical domain of sound waves and the people who speak and understand. In this book, therefore, the last impediments of tradition, the ancient semiotic-grammatical foundations of linguistics, are set aside. We move into the physical domain, where theories and hypotheses can be tested against observations of the physical reality. Here new foundations are laid that are fully consonant with modern science as practiced in physics, chemistry, and biology. On these foundations is built a structure of testable specific dynamic causal laws of communicative behavior that provides support for treating previously recalcitrant context-dependent semantic, pragmatic, interactive, rhetorical, and literary phenomena. The central role of context in the foundations of the theory provides the insights of scientific lawfulness while still honoring the particularity of situations celebrated in the humanities.

Highlighting the place of Stoic teaching in early Christian thought, an international roster of scholars challenges the prevailing view that Platonism was the most important philosophical influence on early Christianity. They suggest that early Christians were more often influenced by Stoicism than by Platonism, an insight that sheds new light on the relationship between philosophy and religion at the birth of Christianity.

Embark on a transformative journey with "Stoicism Unbound," a book that seamlessly weaves ancient wisdom into the fabric of the modern world. In this compelling exploration, discover how the timeless philosophy of Stoicism adapts to contemporary challenges, offering practical insights for individuals seeking meaning, resilience, and ethical guidance in a rapidly changing society. Dive into the adaptable nature of Stoicism, a philosophy that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries. "Stoicism Unbound" delves into the philosophy's core principles—wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance—and demonstrates their relevance in addressing pressing issues of the 21st century. Explore the impact of the Modern Stoicism movement and how it has brought Stoic teachings into mainstream consciousness. Through engaging narratives, the book introduces readers to a global community seeking solace and guidance in Stoicism, fostering a shared understanding of its timeless principles. Uncover the profound connection between Stoicism and mental health. "Stoicism Unbound" demonstrates how Stoic principles align with contemporary approaches to mental well-being, providing practical strategies for navigating stress, anxiety, and existential concerns in today's fast-paced world. Witness the influence of Stoicism in ethical leadership, environmental stewardship, and education. The book explores how Stoic virtues contribute to the development of ethical leaders, inspire a sense of responsibility towards the environment, and enhance the holistic development of individuals in educational settings. As technological advancements shape the future, "Stoicism Unbound" guides readers through the ethical considerations of innovation. Discover how Stoicism offers a philosophical lens for contemplating the consequences of technological progress and encourages responsible and thoughtful engagement with emerging technologies. "Stoicism Unbound" invites readers to embrace Stoicism not as a relic of the past but as a living, breathing philosophy that empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern world with wisdom, resilience, and a commitment to virtue. Immerse yourself in this transformative journey and unlock the timeless secrets of living a meaningful and fulfilling life in the 21st century.

This book provides a systematic examination of the relations between the key elements of Spinoza's philosophy and the Stoics.