“How to be a Stoic: using ancient philosophy to live a modern life ” by Massimo Pigliucci(Basic Books, 2017)

If one is looking for a relief from the world picture Pankaj Mishra painted for us in Age of Anger, this little book might be just the therapy.  Pigliucci is a Professor of Philosophy at CCNY and holds PhDs in genetics, evolutionary biology as well as philosophy.  A former Catholic, he found in Stoicism what he describes as “a rational, science-friendly philosophy that includes a metaphysics with a spiritual dimension, is explicitly open to revision, and, mostly importantly, is eminently practical”.  Both Pigliucci and his contributors hold that the origins of cognitive therapy can be traced back to the Stoic philosophers, in particular, Epictetus.

A brief word about the life of Epictetus which, in many unique ways, epitomizes the fundamentals of Stoicism.  He was born in slavery (his name actually means “acquired”) around 55 CE in what is now present day Turkey.  His master, Epaphroditos worked as a secretary to Nero in Rome where Epictetus spent his youth.  The early exposure to the uses and abuses of power lead him to thoughts about what really matters in life and how to cope with the vicissitudes of external life.  Epictetus was given his freedom after the death of Nero, started his own school in Rome until philosophers, particularly the Stoics, were banned by from the city by Domitian for, among other things, speaking truth to power.  Epictetus moved his school to Greece where he developed renown as a teacher and died at the age of 80.  He is the primary reference in this book due to his sensitivity, intelligence, focus on character and sense of humor.      

Stoicism is not about apathy or detached resignation…it’s about active and constructive engagement with our emotional lives and a clear headed analysis of what we can or cannot control in the maelstrom of events around us.  Pigliucci closes the book with a quote from Seneca which begins, ”The spirit ought to be brought up for examination daily.”

Seems to me a fundamental cornerstone of living a Good Life.