What we’re about
The Global Stoa is an initiative of the School for a New Stoicism. The meetings are facilitated by City College of New York philosopher Massimo Pigliucci. The group is based on the principle that philosophy is a conversation aimed at improving our lives. Every meeting (usually online) focuses on a topic in practical philosophy as understood by the Stoics and other Greco-Roman schools. Discussions are often inspired by a short suggested reading. As Epicurus (not a Stoic!) put it, “Empty is the argument of the philosopher which does not relieve any human suffering.”
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Everything you always wanted to know about Greek philosophyLink visible for attendees
What have the Greeks done for us? Plenty, as it turns out. Join us for a quick survey of and discussion about all the major ideas that the founders of western civilization have contributed to the world at large. We’ll talk about the Presocratics, the Big Three (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), the Hellenists, and more!
Suggested reading: Everything you wanted to know about Greek philosophy, from Massimo’s Substack, The Philosophy Garden (free download).
Zoom link: available on this page.
Please plan to log in about five minutes before the meeting. Also note that the zoom room will be locked five minutes after the beginning of the event for security reasons, so come on time!
- [NYC Stoics reading group] The Four Stoic PersonaeLink visible for attendees
[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]
Over the past few months, NYC Stoics have covered several papers concerning one of the most important concepts in Stoicism: appropriate actions (kathekonta). Being able to choose what actions are appropriate is a skill one can improve upon as a practicing Stoic, and each appropriate act that is chosen is one step on the path to a life worth living (eudaimonia).
We've already explored one way to decide on what action is appropriate: by selecting preferred indifferents according to their value. However, around the time of the Middle Stoa, another framework emerged by which to deliberate what acts are appropriate: role ethics. This framework was transformed and plays a major part in the Late Stoa, most notably in Epictetus's work.
At this meetup, we'll explore the basics of the Middle Stoa's take on role ethics by reading and discussing Phillip H. De Lacy's classic paper, The Four Stoic Personae.
To prepare for the meetup, please read the paper in full and come prepared with questions or concepts you want to discuss. It is available for free from the University of Illinois. Here is the direct download link.
We'll be assuming you did the reading at this meetup, so if you didn't, it's likely you'll be left behind!
- Athens Practical Philosophy Seminar: Beyond StoicismPhilippos Hotel, Athens$200.00
What is a good life? And how can we create that life in a world filled with uncertainty? We invite you to find your own answers to these big questions with help from thirteen of the most prominent Greco-Roman philosophers. By taking cues from the lives and ideas of the Cynics, Epicureans, and others, you’ll learn to:
- Seek pleasure with Aristippus
- Strike the right balance with Aristotle
- Focus on what’s up to you with Epictetus
- Be a rebel like Hipparchia
- Embrace uncertainty with Carneades
- Question everything with Socrates
- Work toward a just society with Plato
Times have changed, but the quest for eudaimonia—a life worth living—stays the same: We still seek pleasure and crave love, avoid pain and fear death. That’s why all these ancient sages can continue to guide us today.
Suggested reading:
Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers, by M. Pigliucci, G. Lopez, and M. Alexander Kunz, The Experiment.
UK version: Live Like a Philosopher—What the Ancient Greeks and Romans Can Teach Us About Living a Happy Life.
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Location: Philippos Hotel, Mitseon 3, Athens 117 42, Greece.
This event is sponsored by the Stoa Nova school for a new Stoicism, and will be facilitated by three of its faculty.
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Program
Thursday, June 26
3pm-6pm: The three ports—pleasure, character, and doubt
8pm-10pm: dinner in small groups, philosophy chats
Friday, June 27
9am-12pm: Exploring the port of pleasure—Aristippus and Epicurus
12pm-3pm: lunch break, eateries nearby
3pm-6pm: Exploring the port of character—Aristotle, Epictetus, Hipparchia, and Plato
8pm-10pm: social dinner at Point Restaurant (rooftop of the Herodion Hotel)
Saturday, June 28
9am-12pm: Exploring the port of doubt—Socrates, Protagoras, Carneades, and Pyrrho
12pm-3pm: lunch break, eateries nearby
3pm-6pm: Here be dragons—Pythagoras, Stilpo, and Hypatia
8pm-10pm: dinner in small groups, philosophy chats
Sunday, June 29
Half-day excursion (with lunch) to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, where the Ionian and Aegean seas meet.
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About the facilitators:
Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His new book is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment). More here.
Meredith Alexander Kunz is a writer who created The Stoic Mom blog in 2016 to explore how parents and kids can benefit from practicing Stoic philosophy (now on Substack). She is a communications leader in Silicon Valley and a personal and professional development coach. Meredith earned a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard College and a master’s degree in history from Stanford University. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, The San Francisco Daily Journal, The Industry Standard, The Stanford Report, The STOIC magazine, the Stoicism Today blog, and more. With Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, she co-authored the new book Beyond Stoicism (in UK: Live Like a Philosopher).
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Fee: $200/person. Payment will not be automatic, you will be contacted by the host with instructions. Your rsvp is tentative until we have received your fee. Thank you!
Refund (minus processing fee) if: (i) the seminar is canceled; or (ii) if you cancel by midnight (ET) on 25 March 2025.
![[NYC Stoics reading group] The Four Stoic Personae cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/e/9/5/event_527448789.webp "[NYC Stoics reading group] The Four Stoic Personae")
