About us
Welcome to Orlando Stoics
Orlando Stoics is an active community of more than 5,000 members, with several meetings held each week. Some events take place in person, while others are held online. All meetings and classes are free.
What Is Stoicism?
Stoicism is a practical school of philosophy founded in Athens around 300 BCE by Zeno of Citium. It teaches that a good life is built upon wisdom, character, and virtue. Stoics seek to live in accordance with nature and reason while practicing courage, justice, self-control, and resilience.
Our discussions draw from ancient Stoic thinkers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, as well as modern writers and practitioners.
Why Study Stoicism?
In a world of constant stimulation, instant gratification, and endless distraction, Stoicism offers a different way of approaching life. It teaches us to distinguish between what is within our control and what is not, respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively, and preserve our character during difficult circumstances.
We also explore connections between Stoicism and Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Existentialism, Minimalism, psychology, and other traditions concerned with philosophy as a way of life. Our meetings encourage thoughtful questions, respectful disagreement, and in-depth discussion.
What We Do
- Read and discuss ancient and modern works on Stoicism.
- Examine Stoic themes in literature, art, media, and popular culture.
- Compare Stoic ideas with insights from history, religion, psychology, and other philosophical traditions.
Stoicism has influenced people from many different backgrounds, including writers, political leaders, soldiers, activists, and ordinary people seeking to live with greater clarity and purpose. Its appeal lies not in promising an easy life, but in helping us meet life’s difficulties with sound judgment, resilience, and integrity.
Joining the Group
Our group is open to the public, and there are no membership or subscription fees. Because we post new meetings frequently, Meetup notifications may generate more emails than you prefer. You can adjust them by visiting our Meetup page, selecting “You’re a Member,” and then choosing “Group Notifications.” You may turn off the emails and still visit the page whenever you would like to see upcoming events.
Whether you are completely new to Stoicism or have studied it for years, you are welcome to join us.
We hope to see you at an upcoming meeting.
Featured event
America at 250: Stoic Virtue and the Future of the American Experiment
On October 24, 2026, the Philadelphia Stoa will host an in-person public conference bringing together leading historians, philosophers, legal scholars, and civic leaders to explore virtue, citizenship, and self-government in the American experiment.
Drawing on Stoic philosophy, the U.S. Constitution, and the ideas that shaped the nation’s founding, speakers will explore how reason, character, self-command, and responsibility can help sustain democracy in an age of technological disruption, institutional distrust, and civic fragmentation.
A healthy society depends not only on good laws and institutions, but also on the character and judgment of its citizens. Together, we will consider what self-government requires of each of us and how we can strengthen the virtues, institutions, and communities that make it possible. The conference is intended to spur future discussion, research, and collaboration around these questions well beyond the event itself.
Featured Speakers
- Dr. Sophia Rosenfeld, Walter H. Annenberg Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania
- Dr. Gregory Sadler, President of ReasonIO and Philosophy Faculty, Marquette University
- Kermit Roosevelt III, J.D., David Berger Professor for the Administration of Justice, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- Ward Farnsworth, J.D., W. Page Keeton Chair in Law and Former Dean, University of Texas School of Law
- Delegate Cliff Hayes, Virginia General Assembly, Chair of key committees on Technology Policy and Government Operations
- Dr. Massimo Pigliucci, K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy, The City College of New York
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
Location: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Format: In-person conference
Advance registration is required. Please visit the conference page for additional details and to register:
https://luma.com/9ghyl138
Upcoming events
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America at 250: Stoic Virtue and the Future of the American Experiment
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA, USOn October 24, 2026, the Philadelphia Stoa will host an in-person public conference bringing together leading historians, philosophers, legal scholars, and civic leaders to explore virtue, citizenship, and self-government in the American experiment.
Drawing on Stoic philosophy, the U.S. Constitution, and the ideas that shaped the nation’s founding, speakers will explore how reason, character, self-command, and responsibility can help sustain democracy in an age of technological disruption, institutional distrust, and civic fragmentation.
A healthy society depends not only on good laws and institutions, but also on the character and judgment of its citizens. Together, we will consider what self-government requires of each of us and how we can strengthen the virtues, institutions, and communities that make it possible. The conference is intended to spur future discussion, research, and collaboration around these questions well beyond the event itself.
Featured Speakers
- Dr. Sophia Rosenfeld, Walter H. Annenberg Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania
- Dr. Gregory Sadler, President of ReasonIO and Philosophy Faculty, Marquette University
- Kermit Roosevelt III, J.D., David Berger Professor for the Administration of Justice, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- Ward Farnsworth, J.D., W. Page Keeton Chair in Law and Former Dean, University of Texas School of Law
- Delegate Cliff Hayes, Virginia General Assembly, Chair of key committees on Technology Policy and Government Operations
- Dr. Massimo Pigliucci, K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy, The City College of New York
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
Location: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Format: In-person conferenceAdvance registration is required. Please visit the conference page for additional details and to register:
https://luma.com/9ghyl1384 attendees
THE STOIC ART OF MORTALITY (IN PERSON)
Panera Bread, 2415 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL, USTHE STOIC ART OF MORTALITY (IN PERSON)
How to Die: An Ancient Guide to the End of Life
Seneca — Edited and translated by James S. RommABOUT THIS MEETING
As we approach the end of the year, Orlando Stoa turns its attention to one of philosophy's oldest questions: How should we live, knowing our time is finite?Join us as we explore mortality, grief, acceptance, and the Stoic understanding of a life well lived. In How to Die, Roman philosopher Seneca examines our fear of death, the experience of loss, and the importance of living deliberately.
Drawing from his letters and philosophical essays, the book challenges us to view death not merely as an ending, but as a natural part of human existence.
Through five thematic sections, we will examine preparation, fear, regret, freedom, and our place within nature.
Our central question: If we truly accepted that our lives, and the lives of those we love, are temporary, how might that change the way we live today?
RESOURCES FOR BEGINNERS
New to Stoicism? These resources provide a helpful introduction:- Online Course: The Stoic Life – Course Materials
- YouTube: Introduction to Stoicism – Video Series
BOOK CLUB FORMAT
Our meetings are relaxed but structured, and all experience levels are welcome.- Get the Book: Purchase on Amazon.
- Meeting Outline: Outline
- Free Online Sources: Seneca's Letters, Archives
- Prepare: Read the assigned section and note any interesting passages, questions, or disagreements.
- Discuss: Everyone will have an opportunity to share their thoughts and examine Seneca's arguments.
- Apply: We conclude by exploring how the ideas discussed relate to our everyday lives.
Advance reading is encouraged but not required. We review the central ideas together so everyone can participate.
Note: Discussions may touch on personal experiences with death or grief. Sharing is always voluntary. The book also contains ancient discussions of voluntary death, which we approach as historical and philosophical inquiry.
READING SCHEDULE – OCT–DEC 2026
- October 24 – Part I: Prepare Yourself (Letters 26, 36, 54, and 114).
- November 7 – Part II: Have No Fear (Letters 19, 11, 14, 30, 82, and 92)
- November 21 – Part III: Have No Regrets (Consultation to Marcia, 61, 77, 93, and 101).
- December 5 – Part IV: Set Yourself Free (To Marcia, On Anger, On Providence 2.9, On Providence 6.7, 58, 70, 104, 117).
- December 19 – Part V: Become a Part of the Whole (To Marcia, To Polybius II.I, 71, 4, On Natural Questions)
Year-End Reflection (December 19): We will close 2026 by reflecting on what we've learned and how accepting life's finite nature might influence the way we approach the coming year.
Schedule subject to adjustment based on the pace of our discussions.LOCATION & PARKING
Panera Bread 2415 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804 FIRST FLOOR of the AdventHealth medical building.
FREE PARKING: Traveling north on Orange Avenue, turn right at the AdventHealth building, continue approximately two blocks, then turn right into the parking garage. Avoid reserved spaces.
You may park on the first floor and walk outside or use the air-conditioned pedestrian bridge from the garage's third floor.MEETING TIME & ATTENDANCE
Every Other Saturday | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
We encourage punctuality, but late arrivals are always welcome! We also take a short break halfway through.
In-person only; no Zoom option.
Guests are welcome but must RSVP individually. Seating is limited.GROUP COURTESY & EXPECTATIONS
Orlando Stoa encourages open-minded, respectful philosophical discussion. We welcome questions, differing perspectives, and thoughtful disagreements.
Please allow others to finish speaking, avoid dominating conversations, and approach discussions with intellectual humility.
To maintain our focus, religious and political debates are outside the scope of this group.Our goal is simple: To become better thinkers and practitioners of philosophy through continued study, reasoned inquiry, and meaningful dialogue.
5 attendees
Past events
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