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How To Be A Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy To Live A Modern Life
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In the tradition of How to Live and How Proust Can Change Your Life, a philosopher asks how ancient Stoicism can help us flourish today
Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that focuses our attention on what is possible and gives us perspective on what is unimportant. By understanding Stoicism, we can learn to answer crucial questions: Should we get married or divorced? How should we handle our money in a world nearly destroyed by a financial crisis? How can we survive great personal tragedy? Whoever we are, Stoicism has something for us--and How to Be a Stoic is the essential guide.
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Book Reviews (9)
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Liberal Bashing
Derived From Web , Aug 22, 2021
It seems that Massimo can 't finish a chapter without bashing the Liberals and exuding his warped sense of conservatism. If he thinks of conservatives with a certain character and virtue, then he has lived under a rock for the last decade. There are plenty of other books on the basics of stoicism without having to be subjected to an opinionated political drivel constantly. It is a shame, because it would have been a worthy intro to stoicism if he didn 't ruin it with his ignorant views about American politics.
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A rambling, liberal, humanistic based tour through the weeds of the author's mind
Derived From Web , May 23, 2019
As others have written before me, this serves as a travelogue of the writer's tour through Italy and shows his left-wing thoughts and politics. A more accomplished writer could present the tenants of Stoicism so that all could learn and benefit from it, not the case here. I could never finish this book and would never recommend it. Fortunately, I borrowed from the library and not out of money.
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Really didn’t enjoy this book. Too much pointless babbling.
Derived From Web , Mar 1, 2019
This book does not deliver as a guide '' with all due respect to the author. I got through the first 6 chapters and ended with a headache at all the pointless information gushed as stoic advice. If you are new to stoicism, William Irvine's book is pure gold l and straightforward. On the other hand, this felt like the author was trying to stay somewhat productive in Rome, while on Sabatical in Italy felt more productive. I also recommend Cal Newport's book Digital Minimalalism '', along with Irvine's. Those two enriched my life, while this fell flat.
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Stoicism for the twenty-first century
Derived From Web , Sep 6, 2018
Stoicism is not to be stoic '' or unmotional or without care for tomorrow. What teaches Stoicism is to not worry about things beyond your control, such as the weather, the actions of someone else, the time of your death, etc. In today's society we tend to bog ourselves with unnecessary anxiety and we would do well to focus on the things we can take part in, to affect and contribute. This work goes well with William Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life, the ancient art of Stoic Joy. And consider practicing Stoicism for yourself, giving yourself time for introspection. You won 't regret it.
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Good intro to modern Stoicism
Derived From Web , Mar 7, 2018
This isn 't it, and Massimo clearly explains why there can 't be such a thing. His writing style is clear and I love his conversations '' with Epictetus. He enlightened my thoughts on what a stoicism can be like. It is not an easy path, not because it is hard to be a stoic, but because the habits of a lifetime are persistent and not easy to change. I find myself re-reading it and happy to do so, with more useful thinking emerging with each reading.
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Poorly Written
Derived From Web , Dec 26, 2017
The author wastes the readers'time with stories that are not interesting and then fails to explain what needs to be explained.
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Fairly straightforward introduction to Stoic philosophy, but I would ...
Derived From Web , Aug 16, 2017
Fairly straightforward introduction to Stoic philosophy, but I would suggest jumping in and reading the original texts just. The author's personal journey somewhat dilutes the impact of the words.
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Not Really a Guide
Derived From Web , May 26, 2017
Despite its title, this book is more of a rumination on the core tenants of Stoicism, rather than a practical guide to living more stoically, buy William Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life, the ancient art of Stoic Joy. This book not only introduces you to all the great Stoic thinkers, but also includes exercises for practicing stoicism and is written in a far more straightforward manner, once you read it, then come back for this book. In it, Pigliucci introduces modern ideas to ancient philosophy, like cognitive behavioral psychology, evolutionary biology, and more. Consider this book more of a journeyman's guide than an apprentice's.
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A nice compliment to the growing field of books on Stoicism
Derived From Web , May 26, 2017
It is a solid compliment to the field of contemporary and old books on stoicism that already exist. I think that Massimo does a nice job of addressing ways to think about the current political climate and the complexity of religion in Stoic terms. It would have been nice if the book had been 300 pages longer!
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