34. The Quest for Character

Rob and Massimo talk to returning guest Robin Waterfield, who has recently released a new translation of Epictetus, The Complete Works: Handbook, Discourses, and Fragments. Learn about what made Epictetus a distinctive, yet traditional Stoic, as well as about the joys and perils of translating the ancient Greeks.

Rob and Massimo talk to Donald Robertson, the author of the graphic novel Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. What were the challenges of presenting history and philosophy in pictorial form? Was the emperor Hadrian really such a bad character? Why did Marcus appoint his son Commodus to succeed him? Join us for these and many other questions about Stoicism and how to write about it.

Join Massimo and Rob for another episode of the "Philosophy as a Way of Life" podcast as they talk with returning guest Matt Sharpe on his new book: Stoicism, Bullying, and Beyond--How to Keep Your Head When Others Around You Have Lost Theirs and Blame You.

Join Massimo and Rob for another episode of the "Philosophy as a Way of Life" podcast as they talk about Massimo's new book, The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders.

Ron and Massimo talk to Tim LeBon and John Sellars, two of the leading scholars behind the Modern Stoicism group, about the tenth anniversary of the organization that brings you Stoicon, Stoic Week, and much more. Modern Stoicism is a non-profit limited company, registered in the UK and run by a multidisciplinary team of volunteers. Its aims are to research and publish information on the application of Stoic philosophy to modern living for the benefit of the general public. Tim is a psychotherapist in the NHS and private practice and a lecturer and life coach. He has many years of experience in teaching courses in Positive Psychology and putting them into practice in his work with clients. He is the author of the forthcoming 365 Ways to be More Stoic: A day-by-day guide to practical stoicism. John is a Reader in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, and a Visiting Research Fellow at King's College London, where he is affiliated to the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle project. He is also a member of Wolfson College, Oxford, where he held a Junior Research Fellowship. He is the author most recently of The Pocket Epicurean. 

Rob and Massimo chat with Skye Cleary, author of How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment. We talk about existentialism, authenticity, bad faith, and all sorts of other ideas relevant for an existential way of life. How to Be Authentic is a lively introduction to Simone de Beauvoir's philosophy of existentialism, as well as an exploration of the successes and failures that Beauvoir and other women have experienced in striving towards authenticity. Skye C. Cleary takes us through some of life’s major relationships and milestones: friendship; romantic love; marriage; children; and death, and examines how each offers an opportunity for us to stretch toward authenticity. While many people don’t get to choose their path in life―whether because of systemic oppression or the actions of other individuals―Cleary makes a compelling case that Beauvoir’s ideas can help us become more conscious of living purposefully, thoughtfully, and with vitality, and she shows us how to do so in responsible ways that invigorate every person’s right to become poets of their own lives. Skye C. Cleary, PhD is a philosopher and writer. She teaches at Columbia University, Barnard College, and the City University of New York, and is the author of Existentialism and Romantic Love and co-editor of How to Live a Good Life. Cleary’s writing has appeared in The Paris Review, Aeon, The Times Literary Supplement, TED-Ed, and Los Angeles Review of Books, among other outlets. She won the 2017 New Philosopher Writers’ Award and was a 2021 MacDowell Fellow. She lives in New York City with her partner and son.

In this episode of the Philosophy as a Way of Life podcast Rob and Massimo talk to Caleb Cohoe, a Professor of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver who has recently co-authored two papers exploring what, exactly, it means to live philosophically. Is it all and only a matter of reason? Or do we need to train ourselves by way of spiritual exercises? Are religions just like life philosophies, or is there a difference? What would the Stoics or the Epicureans have to say about all this?

Rob and Massimo discuss the misconception that Stoicism is a philosophy helpful only during bad times. On the contrary, just like any philosophy of life, Stoicism is useful every day, no matter what the circumstances. Indeed, strictly speaking, from a Stoic perspective there are neither "good" nor "bad" times, but only times that can be handled well or badly, depending on our own judgment. Moreover, Stoicism isn't something that may be picked up right when a crisis hits, as it needs to be practiced ahead of time so that one is well prepared to handle the crisis. Otherwise, it would be like learning to pilot a ship in the middle of a storm...

Rob and Massimo talk to Stephen Angle, author of Growing Moral: A Confucian Guide to Life. At its core, Confucianism describes a way for humans to live and grow together in our world--a way characterized at its best by joy,  beauty, and harmony. Stephen's  book builds a case for modern Confucianism as a way of life well worth the attention of reflective modern readers no matter their age, where they live, or the paths they've taken so far.

Rob and Massimo talk to John Sellars, author of The Pocket Epicurean, about what modern audiences may find appealing about the Epicurean approach to life, and how it differs from other Greco-Roman philosophies, particularly Stoicism.