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I wrote this in response to someone asking about other Stoic writings who, in the interim, deleted their response, so I'll post it as a stand-alone response: I
by AlexB138 9y ago
I wrote this in response to someone asking about other Stoic writings who, in the interim, deleted their response, so I'll post it as a stand-alone response:
I'm an avid reader of Stoic philosophy, to the point I would say it's a central pillar of my life. I would strongly advocate anyone interested in Stoicism not read these recent texts first, or, if I'm honest, really at all. I get that they're trying to making it approachable, but I feel that in an attempt to modernize the message they really lose most of it. One of the beautiful things about Stoicism is that the ancient philosophers were very mindful of speaking plainly, and their texts are extremely approachable. Epictetus' Enchiridion is very easy to parse and is packed full of very practical knowledge. It is one hundred percent the place to start. Following that, read Seneca's letters to Lucilius, which are titled either Moral Letters to Lucilius or Letters from a Stoic. These are very straight forward teachings in very direct language.
Beyond that there's a whole canon of writing. The only extant writing from Stoic philosophers are from Epictetus and Seneca. There are fragments from Musonius Rufus, and a small handful from the very ancients like Chrysippus and Zeno. There are writings about Stoicism by Marcus Aurelius, a very famous follower but not a teacher himself, and by Cicero, though he also wrote against the philosophy in other places. Marcus Aurelius' writings are very approachable and often recommended.
There are a few modern academic writings I would suggest to someone who has read the ancient sources, specifically the papers by A.A. Long. If you absolutely must have a modern book about the school, I'll contradict my earlier statement and say that William B. Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life is one exception.
I love Stoicism and am happy to talk about it at length. Anyone who is interested can feel free to contact me about it, my email is in my profile.
Ad fontes!
- Lynolix 9y agoHave you had a chance to read Massimo Pigliucci 's How To Be A Stoic?
- AlexB138 9y agoI've not, thought I'm somewhat familiar with Massimo through his other work. Would you recommend it?
- Lynolix 9y agoNo I haven't nor is it high on my priority list; for that matter, I know little of Stoicism itself aside from a few aphorisms and axioms -- the di/tri-chotomy of control, the Four Virtues, etc. As for why, I have the unfounded belief that Stoicism alone is too pacifistic thus is ill-equipped to handle malevolence at an interpersonal and societal level. I would need to read and research to get some answers though.
- gaius 9y agohave the unfounded belief that Stoicism alone is too pacifistic thus is ill-equipped to handle malevolenc Stoicism is formally taught in the classroom to aspiring Navy SEALs; it’s probably capable of handling (necessary) violence
- cheschire 9y agoIn the case of training a fighting force, doctrine of the enemy is often as beneficial to study. That does not mean stoicism is being promoted as the doctrine of either side, however. Obviously stoicism makes a useful tool for someone who must endure the incredible hardship of soul that special operations must endure, however it's important to note that it is equally useful for the enemy to be just as resilient.
- gaius 9y agoIt wouldn’t surprise me if Spetsnaz also studied it, it would if ISIS did
- tonyedgecombe 9y agoI read it, it was interesting but if you are looking for actionable advice I'd go for the William Irvine book first.
- pagade 9y agohttps://enchiridion.tasuki.org https://enchiridion.tasuki.org Which translation would you recommend?
- moat 9y agoI personally always recommend Seneca as the perfect starting point, but I did receive immense value from the modern book “A Guide To The Good Life”. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0040JHNQG https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0040JHNQG (I prefer the Audible version though)
- euler_ 9y agoI just finished Marcus Aurelius. What would be a good next text?
- 52-6F-62 9y agoI’ll second Seneca. I like On the Shortness of Life Key Excerpt: It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by death’s final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing. So it is: we are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.