The Philadelphia Stoa

Breakfast With Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living: Chapter 4 & 5
2022-08-21 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Online Event
On Sunday August 21st (4-5:30pm EST), we will examine Chapters 4 & 5 of Professor Fideler’s Book, Breakfast With Seneca.
In Chapter 4, Professor David Fideler explains Seneca’s view on Anger. Anger is an unhealthy emotion (i.e., passion (pathē)). For Seneca the problem with anger is that it is a kind of insanity where we lose control. In fact, anger is state that controls or rules the person instead of the person being in control of the anger. In this chapter, we examine how anger arises (three step process), and investigate how to cure anger.
Chapter 5 is called, “Wherever You Go, There You Are: You Can’t Escape Yourself”. In this chapter Professor Fideler explains you cannot run away from your faults. Indeed, grief and disappointment can follow a person wherever they go. The Stoic view is not that external things are unimportant, rather genuine fulfillment and peace of mind originate from within. In other words, those who fail their cultivate their character are unlikely to be happy. One way to cultivate your character is to have a guiding purpose.
In the following months, in conjunction with Philadelphia Stoa https://philadelphiastoa.org, I will lead a group discussion on David Fideler’s book Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living. The books spans 14 Chapters with a little over 200 pages of text (excluding bibliography, appendix, and notes). Professor Fideler covers various topics from Friendship, Love, and Grief… to Lasting Joy. Tentatively, the plan is to meet on every 3rd Sunday of each month.
David Fideler studied ancient philosophies and religions at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a PhD in Philosophy and the History of Science.
Additional Note: Professor Fideler has agreed to speak to our group about his book (in Zoom). He mentioned that he can meet with us at the midpoint of the book (Chapter 7. approx. Sept 2022) and again at the end of his book. I will attempt to gather questions from our readings. Indeed, our reading group will have a lively engagement with Professor Fideler.
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Breakfast-Seneca-Stoic-Guide-Living/dp/1324036605/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1654117915&sr=8-1
Youtube with David Fideler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwx9XTMOUUI
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3rd Meeting: August 21st Sunday 4 to 5:30 pm.
Chapter 4: The Problem With Anger (p. 60-78)
Chapter 5: Wherever You Go, There You Are: You Can’t Escape Yourself (p. 79-87)

Introduction to Stoicism: Happiness and Stoic Virtue
2022-07-24 16:00 - 17:30 | Online Event
“Now, If virtue promises to enable us to achieve happiness, freedom from passion, and serenity, then progress towards virtue is surely also progress towards each of these states.” Epictetus, Discourses 1.4.3
How do you find true happiness? The Stoics believed that cultivating virtue, or excellence of character, was indispensable for happiness. But what is the connection between virtue and happiness? We will discuss the nature of Stoic virtue, 4 distinct features of Stoic virtue, how virtue confers happiness, and what brings Stoics joy. If you are open to considering a coherent system of thought that can guide you toward lasting happiness, we welcome you to join the discussion.
A reference article for our discussion is available here: https://modernstoicism.com/what-is-stoic-virtue-by-chris-gill/

Breakfast With Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living (Chapter 2 & 3)
2022-07-17 16:00 - 17:30
In the following months, in conjunction with Philadelphia Stoahttps://philadelphiastoa.org, I will lead a group discussion on David Fideler’s book Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living. The books spans 14 Chapters with a little over 200 pages of text (excluding bibliography, appendix, and notes). Professor Fideler covers various topics from Friendship, Love, and Grief… to Lasting Joy. Tentatively, the plan is to meet on every 3rd Sunday of each Month (see schedule below).
The reason why I picked this book is because Seneca is one of three influential Roman Stoic thinkers. Indeed, Seneca is prior to both Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Furthermore, from my research not too many groups are reading Seneca. David Fideler writes,
“While the Stoic school started in Athens roughly three hundred years before Seneca was born, the writings of the Greek Stoics are mostly lost. They only survive in brief quotations or fragments. This makes Seneca the first major Stoic writer whose philosophical works have come down to us in a nearly complete form. He had one of the most well-informed and curious minds of his age, and displayed a daring intellectual freedom and open-mindedness in his writings. It is this quality that makes him seem very modern. In this book, which features fresh translations from his work, I explain Seneca’s key ideas and wise teachings in the clearest way possible. This is also an introduction to Stoic philosophy in general, because it’s impossible to fully understand Seneca’s thinking without understanding the Stoic ideas on which it was based. ”
David Fideler studied ancient philosophies and religions at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a PhD in philosophy and the history of science.
Additional Note: Professor Fideler has agreed to speak to our group about his book (in Zoom). He mentioned that he can meet with us at the midpoint of the book (Chapter 7. approx. Sept 2022) and again at the end of his book. I will attempt to gather questions from our readings. Indeed, our reading group will have a lively engagement with Professor Fideler.
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Breakfast-Seneca-Stoic-Guide-Living/dp/1324036605/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1654117915&sr=8-1
Youtube with David Fideler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwx9XTMOUUI
———————
2nd Meeting: July 17th Sunday 4 to 5:30 pm.
Chapter 2: Value Your Time: Don’t Postpone Living (p. 33-45)
Chapter 3: How to Overcome Worry and Anxiety (p. 46-59)

Breakfast With Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living
2022-06-19 16:00 - 17:30
In the following months, in conjunction with Philadelphia Stoa https://philadelphiastoa.org, I will lead a group discussion on David Fideler’s book Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living. The books spans 14 Chapters with a little over 200 pages of text (excluding bibliography, appendix, and notes). Fideler covers various topics from Friendship, Love, and Grief… to Lasting Joy. Tentatively, the plan is to meet on every 3rd Sunday of each Month (see schedule below).
The reason why I picked this book is because Seneca is one of three influential Roman Stoic thinkers. Indeed, Seneca is prior to both Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Furthermore, from my research not too many groups are reading Seneca. David Fideler writes,
“While the Stoic school started in Athens roughly three hundred years before Seneca was born, the writings of the Greek Stoics are mostly lost. They only survive in brief quotations or fragments. This makes Seneca the first major Stoic writer whose philosophical works have come down to us in a nearly complete form. He had one of the most well-informed and curious minds of his age, and displayed a daring intellectual freedom and open-mindedness in his writings. It is this quality that makes him seem very modern. In this book, which features fresh translations from his work, I explain Seneca’s key ideas and wise teachings in the clearest way possible. This is also an introduction to Stoic philosophy in general, because it’s impossible to fully understand Seneca’s thinking without understanding the Stoic ideas on which it was based. ”
David Fideler studied ancient philosophies and religions at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a PhD in philosophy and the history of science.
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Breakfast-Seneca-Stoic-Guide-Living/dp/1324036605/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1654117915&sr=8-1
Youtube with David Fideler:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwx9XTMOUUI
———————
1st Meeting: June 19th Sunday 4 to 5:30 pm.
Chapter 1: The Lost Art of Friendship.

Introduction to Stoicism: The Basics
2022-06-12 16:00 - 17:30 | Online Event
How do you become the best version of yourself? Many people find a satisfying answer to this question in the principles and practice of Stoic philosophy. We will discuss Stoicism’s two theoretical pillars, four cardinal virtues, and three disciplines and how they provide a framework for practicing Stoicism. If you are open to considering a coherent system of thought that can guide you in living well amidst today’s significant challenges, we welcome you to join the discussion.

Introduction to Stoicism, Part IV: On Emotion
2022-05-15 16:00 - 17:30 | Online Event
Stoics are sometimes criticized for eschewing emotions. Stoics, however, consider emotions a normal part of a human life. Rather than eschew emotions, Stoics try to transform unhealthy emotions into healthy ones. We will discuss the Stoic theory of emotion and misconceptions about how Stoics understand emotion. If you are open to learning more about a coherent system of thought that can guide you in living a happy, tranquil, and meaningful life, we welcome you to join the discussion.

A Guide to the Good Life: Chapters 7 & 8
2022-04-24 16:00 - 17:30
Details

We will discuss chapter six in William Irvine’s classic “A Guide to The Good Life.” A Guide to the Good Life examines the wisdom of Stoic philosophy and demonstrates how its practices are still applicable in today’s world. Using the psychological insights and the practical techniques of the Stoics, A Guide to the Good Life also offers a roadmap for anyone seeking to avoid the feelings of chronic dissatisfaction that plague so many people today. We are examining various Stoic techniques for attaining tranquility and working through some practical exercises regarding how to put these techniques to work in our own life. We will explore how to minimize worry, how to let go of the past and focus our efforts on the things we can control.
In this meeting we will explore chapter 7 “On Dealing with the Dark Side of Pleasure” and chapter 8 “Meditation.” While we encourage everyone to read the book it is by no means a requirement to participate in our discussion.
A Guide To The Good Life With William Irvine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4trH-Xbiy-I
A Guide to the Good Life Book
https://www.williambirvine.com/books
A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine, Ancient art of stoic joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuEC87SryL0

Introduction to Stoicism, Part III: Understanding Stoic Virtue
2022-04-10 16:00 - 17:30
“If you find anything in human life better than justice, truthfulness, self-control, courage … turn to it with all your heart and enjoy the supreme good you have found … but if you find all other things to be trivial and valueless in comparison with virtue give no room to anything else…”
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.6
We will discuss why Stoicism holds virtue to be the “supreme good” and essential for happiness. We will also talk about the distinctive qualities of Stoic virtue and how to practice and apply the cardinal virtues. If you are open to learning more about a coherent system of thought that can guide you in living a happy, tranquil, and meaningful life, we welcome you

Being Better (Part 9): Well On The Way To A Life Transformed...
2022-03-13 16:00 - 17:30 | Online Event
Details

This meeting will be our Ninth meeting to discuss the recently-released book, “Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In”. In “Being Better”, Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos apply Stoic principles to contemporary issues such as social justice, climate breakdown, and the excesses of global capitalism. Above all, they show that Stoicism is not an ivory-tower philosophy or a collection of Silicon Valley life hacks, but a vital way of life that helps us live simply, improve our communities, and find peace in a turbulent world.
In this meeting we will discuss Chapter 9, “Well On The Way To A Life Transformed…”. I will also try to give an overview of the entire book. Although you are encouraged to read the chapter and reflect on the questions at the end of the chapter, that does not mean you cannot participate in our open discussion. I have left my notes to quickly guide the reader through the text.
Kai Whiting is a researcher and lecturer in environmental sustainability and Stoic philosophy at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium. His website is: stoickai.com and his Twitter feed is @KaiWhiting. Leonidas Konstantakos is a lecturer in the Arts and Philosophy Department at Miami Dade College. He also conducts research on Stoicism’s application to just war theory in the International Relations Department at Florida International University.
Here is a YouTube on Kai Whiting explaining his book “Being Better”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHMTohotvV0
Amazon books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1608686930
I have also created some notes to aid the reading….please see google link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h_jVVBPqygBqfnAunhJfbxFIpz50Jl72?usp=sharing

A Guide to the Good Life: Chapter Five - Dichotomy of Control
2022-02-27 16:30 - 18:00 | Online Event
Details

We will discuss chapter five (Dichotomy of Control) in William Irvine’s classic “A Guide to The Good Life.” A Guide to the Good Life examines the wisdom of Stoic philosophy and demonstrates how its practices are still applicable in today’s world. Using the psychological insights and the practical techniques of the Stoics, A Guide to the Good Life also offers a roadmap for anyone seeking to avoid the feelings of chronic dissatisfaction that plague so many people today. We are examining various Stoic techniques for attaining tranquility and working through some practical exercises regarding how to put these techniques to work in our own life. We will explore how to minimize worry, how to let go of the past and focus our efforts on the things we can control.
In this meeting we will explore one of the most important stoic practices the Dichotomy of Control. While we encourage everyone to read the book it is by no means a requirement to participate in our discussion.
A Guide To The Good Life With William Irvine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4trH-Xbiy-I
A Guide to the Good Life Book
https://www.williambirvine.com/books
A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine, Ancient art of stoic joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuEC87SryL0
