America at 250: Stoic Virtue and the Future of the American Experiment
PHILOSOPHY FOR EVERYONE
What Is Philadelphia Stoa?
Philadelphia was founded as an experiment in living well together. We’re carrying that experiment forward as a community practicing the ancient art of Stoic philosophy to build wiser, steadier, more useful lives, right here in the city whose name means brotherly love.
You don’t need a background in philosophy. A Roman emperor and a man born into slavery practiced the same ideas, and they work just as well for a student, a tradesperson, or a professor today. Come as you are.
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 us to make rational decisions and sound judgments based on experience.
Justice means acting for the good of others: kindness, fairness, and goodwill toward all people.
Temperance helps us do things in the right measure – not too much and not too little.
Courage lets us face hardship and adversity without being ruled by fear.
