Category: Stoicism

George Washington, known for his exemplary self-discipline and mental composure, is a figure in whom many see the influence of Stoicism. Unlike some of the other Founding Fathers, he lacked a classical education. Nevertheless, according to Eliot Morison’s The Young Man Washington (1932), Washington was indeed inspired by Stoic philosophy. Morison attributed Washington’s self-discipline to a philosophy of… Continue reading The Stoicism of George Washington

The idea of a Roman emperor undergoing a course of psychotherapy probably sounds like historical fiction, right? Well, it’s not. The Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, was famously a lifelong follower of the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism. Stoic philosophers employed an early form of cognitive psychotherapy, and Marcus had a therapist. How do we know this?… Continue reading Marcus Aurelius in Therapy

Socratic Questioning, Stoicism and a Return to Virtue Ethics Why did an angry mob storm the U.S. Capitol Building on 6th January? Perhaps simply because it seemed to them like the right thing to do. In their own imagination, they were acting quite righteously, and felt completely justified in doing things that looked to the… Continue reading How Could Socrates Save America?

Forget all else, Lucilius, and concentrate your thoughts on this one thing: not to fear the name of death. Through long reflection make death one of your close acquaintances, so that, if the situation arises, you are able even to go out and meet it. — Seneca, On Earthquakes One day you will die. In… Continue reading Medium: Death, Love, Stoicism

Goodreads Giveaway. Enter for a chance to win one of ten (10) Kindle ebook copies of HOW TO THINK LIKE A ROMAN EMPEROR: THE STOIC PHILOSOPHY OF MARCUS AURELIUS. Giveaway dates: Dec 10 – Jan 09, 2021 Countries available: US only.* * Sorry if you’re outside the US. That’s just how these things work. I… Continue reading Giveaway: Win a copy of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

This is a pretty cool video. I like the way it was edited, subtitled, etc., and had a lot of fun doing it.

Upon a column once standing at the entrance (pronaos) of the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, two famous maxims were inscribed: “Know thyself” (gnothi seauton) and “Nothing in excess” (meden agan). In Plato’s Protagoras, Socrates claims that the legendary Seven Sages invented these sayings and had them placed at Delphi: They met together and dedicated… Continue reading The Delphic Maxims and Philosophy of Apollo

Really enjoyed talking with @MGawdat about Stoicism on Slo Mo podcast. I think it’s one of the best podcasts I’ve done for How to Think Like a Roman Emperor!