Stoicism For Dummies

The philosophy that will help you become more resilient in the face of life's challenges Stoicism For Dummies will teach you the basic principles of stoic philosophy and show you how it can help you navigate the ups and downs of life. We all face challenges and setbacks, and, if we have the right mindset, we can sail through them with ease. This book offers a comprehensive look at Stoic philosophy, uncovering its strengths and attractions and shedding light on its limitations, both in the ancient world where it was developed, and in our world today. Learn how you can apply stoic principles for personal growth and better living, and how you can adapt this philosophical outlook to your unique circumstances. Written in terms anyone can understand, this friendly Dummies guide helps you understand stoicism, and also apply it in your life. Understand the basics of stoic philosophy, including virtues and practices Learn how to keep calm and carry on when life throws you curveballs Apply stoic principles to improve your relationships and quality of life Discover the history of stoicism and how its principles can apply to today's world This book is great for anyone who wants to learn more about stoicism and its benefits. Title Page Copyright Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here Part 1: Ancient Stoicism Chapter 1: Stoicism: A Philosophy for Our Time A Way of Thought for Our Time What Does “Philosophy” Even Mean? What Wisdom Is and Is Not Using Wisdom with the Stoics Chapter 2: Socrates and the Beginnings of Western Philosophy Heraclitus the (Cranky and) Obscure Socrates: The Barefoot Gadfly and General Pain-in-the-Patootie of Ancient Athens Diogenes of Sinope: Socrates on Steroids Chapter 3: The First Stoics The Basic Teachings of Zeno and His Stoic Followers Why Stoicism Had Its Moment in Ancient Greece and Rome Chapter 4: Stoicism Comes to Rome Seneca and Epictetus Seneca: Wealthy but Frugal Epictetus: Slave Turned Philosopher Chapter 5: Marcus Aurelius: Philosopher-Emperor A Stoic Philosopher Comes to the Throne Two Themes in Marcus’s Philosophy The Demise of Ancient Stoicism Part 2: The Stoic Worldview Chapter 6: The Stoic View of Reality Everything Is Made of Matter God and Nature The Place of Humanity in the Cosmos Chapter 7: Providence, Fate, and Free Will “Everything Is Fated” Is God to Blame for Evil? Stoic Fate and Passivity Part 3: Stoic Ethics Chapter 8: Virtue as the Goal of Life Virtus and Arete Virtue at the Center Happiness and Virtue The Good, Bad, and Indifferent Chapter 9: Things We Can Control The Dichotomy of Control Exploring the Concept of Control The Problem of External Goals Trying Our Best An Alternate Strategy Chapter 10: Desire and the Happy Life Getting Clear about Desire Desire and Happiness An Opportunity for Hope Chapter 11: Pleasure and Pain The Epicurean Pull of Pleasure Pleasure and Pain with the Stoics Using Sensations and Situations Chapter 12: Natural Law What Is Natural Law? Natural Law in Roman Law Modern Stoicism and Natural Law Chapter 13: Building Strong Communities Philosophers as Social Advisors The Two Roots of Community Plato and Aristotle Behind It All Circles of Community and Care Part 4: Passions and Emotions Chapter 14: Stoic Apathy: Why You Should Care Two Ideas of Apathy Definitions and Images in Film Digging Deeper into Stoic Apathy The Discipline We Need The Nature of Emotions Apathy and Ataraxia Finding Sensible Peace Concluding Thoughts on Apathy Chapter 15: Love and Friendship Two Big Ideas for Friendship and Love True Friendship The Interpenetrating Unity of Souls Stoics in Love and on It Sex and Love with the Stoics Chapter 16: The Fear of Death Matters of Life and Death Philosophy as Preparation for Death Two Epicurean Efforts to Calm Us Down Epictetus Against Fearing Death Marcus Aurelius Weighs in on Death Seneca’s Quantity or Quality Argument Part 5: Stoic Virtues Chapter 17: The Master Virtues The Nature of Virtue The Stoic View of Virtue The Four Cardinal Virtues Chapter 18: Finding Resilience and Inner Peace Resilience: The Art of Bouncing Back The Stoic Quest for Inner Peace Part 6: Stoicism Today Chapter 19: The Stoic Next Door: The Popular Revival of Stoicism Today The Rise of Modern Stoicism Leading Figures in Modern Stoicism Chapter 20: Modern Stoicism What Is Modern Stoicism? Key Differences: Ancient and Modern Modern Stoicism: Down and Upsides Part 7: The Part of Tens Chapter 21: Ten Books Every (Budding) Stoic Should Read The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy The Stoic Art of Living: Inner Resilience and Outer Results How To Be a Stoic How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius The Stoics (2nd edition) The Obstacle Is the Way The Daily Stoic Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living Chapter 22: Ten Great Stoic Blogs and Podcasts Daily Stoic Blog Stoicism Today Blog Figs in Winter Blog Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Traditional Stoicism Blog Daily Stoic Podcast The Walled Garden Podcast Stoic Meditations Podcast Stoicism: Philosophy As a Way of Life Podcast Stoic Coffee Break Podcast Index About the Authors Advertisement Page Connect with Dummies End User License Agreement