Stoicism, as a philosophy of life, has shaped the lives of emperors, provided refuge for anti-apartheid leaders, and inspired whistleblowers, Church leaders, and philosophers across two millennia. And this ancient Greco-Roman philosophy is now being repurposed for the needs of the 21st century. How can we cultivate our characters today to be good members of the human cosmopolis and find genuine happiness? What does it mean to be virtuous in this day and age, and how do we achieve that?

Join CUNY philosopher Massimo Pigliucci, author of How to Be a Stoic, as he walks us through the theory and some practical applications. Pigliucci leaves us with ancient wisdom on how to be happy and the practical exercises to help us get there.

By the end of the course, you will have learnt:

• What Stoics thought was so special about humanity.
• How to let go of what you can't control.
• The real secret to happiness.
• What being virtuous means and how to live in accordance with it.
• Why it's important to be less busy.
• Why staying connected to others in crucial for Stoic practice.

IAI Academy courses are designed to be challenging but accessible to the interested student. No specialist knowledge is required.

Massimo Pigliucci

Massimo Pigliucci is a renowned philosopher and professor at the City College of New York. He is author of several books including How to be a Stoic and Beyond Stoicism. A former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast and a self-proclaimed sceptic, Pigliucci is a champion of Enlightenment notions of reason and rationality.

• Pigliucci, M., How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life, (New York: Basic Books, 2017).
• Irvine, W. B., A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009).
• Holiday, R., The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living, (New York: Portfolio, 2016).
• Seneca, L. A., Letters from a Stoic, translated by R. Gummere, (London: Penguin Classics, 1969).
• Epictetus, The Enchiridion, translated by T. W. Higginson, (New York: Dover Publications, 2004).
• Aurelius, M., Meditations, translated by G. Hays, (New York: Modern Library, 2002).