The Stoics: A Guide for the Perplexed

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Description

Stoicism was a key philosophical movement in the Hellenistic period. Today, the stoics are central to the study of Ethics and Ancient Philosophy. In The Stoics: A Guide for the Perplexed, M. Andrew Holowchak sketches, from Zeno to Aurelius, a framework thatcaptures the tenor of stoic ethical thinking in its key terms. Drawing on the readily available works of Seneca, Epictetus and Aurelius, Holowchak makes ancient texts accessible to students unfamiliar with Stoic thought. Providing ancient and modern-day examples to illustrate Stoic principles, the author guides the reader through the main themes and ideas of Stoic thought: Stoic cosmology, epistemology, views of nature, selfknowledge, perfectionism and, in particular, ethics. Holowchak also endeavours to present Stoicism as an ethically viable way of life today through rejecting their notion of ethical perfectionism in favor of a type of ethical progressivism consistent with other key Stoic principles.

Reviews

Holowchak has produced a work of the Golden Mean. On the one hand, he has given us a clear and lively introduction to Stoicism, with emphasis on ethics. Yet, at the same time, he offers pointers for studying the Stoics in more depth.' Allan Bck, Professor of Philosophy, Kutztown University, USA
Mention in bibliography of Anuario Filosofico, XLII/1 (2009), pp 241.

Author Bio

M. Andrew Holowchak is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania, USA.