Seneca's Letters to Lucilius

A series of short audio meditations on Seneca’s Letters to his friend Lucilius. I.1: This could be the last day of your life. Are you going to waste it by binging on a mediocre television show? I.2 & I.3: Seneca tells us that time is a precious commodity, and one that, once loaned, can never … Continue reading Seneca's Letters to Lucilius

Morning Meditations

Below is a series of links to pages containing up-to-date lists of episodes of my podcast, Stoic Meditations. Each episode is only a few minutes long, begins with a quote from one of the ancient Stoics, or allied philosophers like Cicero, and ends with some reflections on the meaning of the quote in the context … Continue reading Morning Meditations

Essays

This is the complete index of my “Philosophy as a Way of Life” ongoing series of essays (began in July 2018). There are four broad categories: Art of Living (i.e., practical philosophy), Good Reasoning (i.e., logic and critical thinking), How the World Works (i.e., science and metaphysics), and Books (both individual reviews and book club … Continue reading Essays

Suggested readings, #4

Here are some interesting articles I’ve come across recently, for your consideration: David Brooks thinks our culture tells us five crucial lies. He may be onto something. (New York Times) A critical but friendly commentary on Lee Smolin’s new book: Einstein’s Unfinished Revolution. In case you wanted more about the current mess in fundamental physics. … Continue reading Suggested readings, #4

Practical philosophy

Here is a list of my favorite, freely available, essays on practical philosophy (Stoicism, New Skepticism) that I have written over the years for third party publications (i.e., not my own blogs) Most recent on top. Stoics as (political) activists (Aeon) Musonius Rufus: Roman Stoic, and avant-garde feminist? (Psyche) The purpose of life (New Philosopher) … Continue reading Practical philosophy

Books

(16) The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders (Basic Books, 2022). Is good character something that can be taught? In 430 BCE, Socrates set out to teach the vain, power-seeking Athenian statesman Alcibiades how to be a good person – and failed spectacularly. … Continue reading Books