A Handbook for New Stoics

April 1, 2019
In 52 pithy and practicable lessons, Pigliucci (How to Be a Stoic), professor of philosophy at City College of New York, and Lopez, host of Stoic Camp New York, explain how lessons plucked from an ancient Greco-Roman philosophy can reshape one’s sense of self. The authors rest their thesis on two Stoic tenets: that cultivating character (not material wealth, achievement, or the actions of others) leads to a satisfying, virtuous life, and that focus should be placed on what is in one’s control, not on what is outside one’s influence. They then offer lessons that can be practiced over the course of a week or on an ad-hoc basis. The authors recommend readers take another’s perspective, strengthen oneself through “mild self-deprivation” such as fasting or exposure to elements, imagine future adversity, and start practicing minimalism. Each chapter contains a short, real-world example of how the skill or lesson in question is beneficial, and then a commentary on how the Stoics interpreted the concept. For instance, in “Cut out busyness,” they write, “The first question a Stoic would ask of someone who is too busy is whether they have their priorities straight.” This successful blend of knowledge and action items will entice readers looking for thoughtful prompts for self-reflection.