Join the Stoic Revolution in Philadelphia!
PHILOSOPHY FOR EVERYONE
What Is Philadelphia Stoa?
The cacophony of modern life echoes in all directions, distracting us with emotionally-charged rhetoric, digital disinformation, and political demagoguery. Standing in opposition to this spiritual desert, there exists a rational, non-dogmatic approach to life that teaches us to control our own emotions, prosper through virtue, and live according to reason. We believe the great questions of life are the true province of philosophy—not the monopoly of religion.
Philadelphia Stoa is leading the rebirth of the ancient philosophy of Stoicism to meet the challenges of modernity. We aim to resurrect the definition of what it meant to be a philosopher in antiquity: a person who loves wisdom while striving to live a philosophical life. Through the practice of applying virtue ethics, reason, and critical thinking to our collective human experience, we endeavor to unlock the personal flourishing that is possible within all of us.
What We Offer
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Benefit the local community through the application of Stoic principles
What is the Goal of Stoicism?
Stoicism is a philosophy of life grounded in the concept that virtue, or excellence of character, is the highest good. The happiness valued in Stoicism is eudaimonia, a Greek word meaning flourishing or wellbeing.
We flourish when we use Stoic virtue to guide our lives, eschewing the emptiness of materialism, wealth, and things outside of our control. Stoics follow the Four Virtues, which Zeno and his disciples believed were inherently good, and worthy of our striving:
- WISDOM enables ONE to make rational decisions and appropriate judgments based on experiential knowledge.
- JUSTICE ENCOMPASSES ACTIONS BENEFITTING HUMANKIND, INCLUDING kindness, benevolence, and goodwill toward others.
- TEMPERANCE HELPS US do things in just measure—not too much and not too little.
- COURAGE ALLOWS US TO FLOURISH AND TRIUMPH AGAINST ADVERSITY.
