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Stoic Ethics: The Basics
At a time of unprecedented interest in Stoicism, this book offers a comprehensive introduction to Stoic ethics for students and for readers interested in Stoic life-guidance.
It combines an explanation of the main philosophical ideas in ancient Stoic ethics by Christopher Gill with discussion of how to put these ideas into practice in our own lives by Brittany Polat.
The first seven chapters examine central Stoic ethical claims and the questions raised by their claims,
Why does our happiness in life depend solely on virtue? Is ethics grounded on nature; and, if so, does this mean human nature or the natural world? What is the connection between gaining ethical understanding and relating properly to other people? What counts as right action and how do we learn to make good decisions? What is the proper place of emotion in the good life? The two final chapters discuss the significance of these Stoic ideas for modern thought, especially for virtue ethics and environmental ethics, and the Stoic contribution to guidance on living.
With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading, Stoic The Basics is an ideal starting point for anyone looking for an accessible and lively explanation of Stoic ideas and their implications for practical living.
It combines an explanation of the main philosophical ideas in ancient Stoic ethics by Christopher Gill with discussion of how to put these ideas into practice in our own lives by Brittany Polat.
The first seven chapters examine central Stoic ethical claims and the questions raised by their claims,
Why does our happiness in life depend solely on virtue? Is ethics grounded on nature; and, if so, does this mean human nature or the natural world? What is the connection between gaining ethical understanding and relating properly to other people? What counts as right action and how do we learn to make good decisions? What is the proper place of emotion in the good life? The two final chapters discuss the significance of these Stoic ideas for modern thought, especially for virtue ethics and environmental ethics, and the Stoic contribution to guidance on living.
With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading, Stoic The Basics is an ideal starting point for anyone looking for an accessible and lively explanation of Stoic ideas and their implications for practical living.
- GenresPhilosophy
172 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2024
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 26, 2024
Been a practitioner of Stoicism for many years now. Brittany and Chris have designed an excellent, and easily-digestible guide for anyone looking to get to grips with what Stoicism's most useful area of thought is all about!
May 9, 2025
Solid survey of Stoic ethics which touches every basic dimension. I would always recommend reading some of the primary sources first (Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, some of Cicero’s philosophical works), but this is also a good place for anyone to start who is curious about the ethical and emotional dimensions of Stoicism.
Chapter 7 “How should we relate to other people and society?” is a particularly useful chapter that dispels the common misconception that practicing stoics are detached, without emotion, cold. It is, in fact, the opposite: the stoic is keenly aware of their own internal processes and temperaments and how they impact the people and environment around them. Emotional awareness and self-regulation is a key component and enabler of healthy, dynamic, respectful relationships. And, in general, the focus on virtue development rather than “right actions” allows for a practicing stoic to be a consistent and reliable friend, romantic partner, coworker, brother, sister, son, daughter, mother, father, etc. - “right actions” will naturally come as a result of developing virtue.
Chapter 7 “How should we relate to other people and society?” is a particularly useful chapter that dispels the common misconception that practicing stoics are detached, without emotion, cold. It is, in fact, the opposite: the stoic is keenly aware of their own internal processes and temperaments and how they impact the people and environment around them. Emotional awareness and self-regulation is a key component and enabler of healthy, dynamic, respectful relationships. And, in general, the focus on virtue development rather than “right actions” allows for a practicing stoic to be a consistent and reliable friend, romantic partner, coworker, brother, sister, son, daughter, mother, father, etc. - “right actions” will naturally come as a result of developing virtue.
October 28, 2024
Stoic Ethics: The Basics, a volume in Routledge’s The Basics series, offers an accessible and engaging introduction to Stoic ethical thought for students and general readers alike.
The book’s structure reflects its dual aims of presenting both the theoretical foundations of Stoic ethics and its practical application in daily life. Each chapter is divided into two parts: the first part, written by Gill, examines key concepts and arguments of ancient Stoic ethical theory while the second part, written by Polat and titled "Modern Applications,” considers the relevance of these ideas for modern readers.
The book sets out the core “vision” of Stoic ethics, highlighting several unifying themes:
• Happiness depends solely on virtue: The Stoics hold that virtue, conceived as a form of knowledge or expertise, is the only true good and the only basis needed for happiness.
• Ethical development is a natural process: The Stoics believe that all humans are capable of developing towards virtue through a process of “appropriation” (oikeiōsis), which involves cultivating our natural inclination to care for ourselves and others.
• Virtue is expressed through appropriate actions: The Stoics provide guidance on making good decisions and acting in accordance with virtue in specific situations, emphasizing the importance of understanding our own character and social roles.
• Reason governs our emotions: The Stoics emphasize the importance of using reason to manage our emotions, understanding that our emotional responses are shaped by our beliefs and judgments, not by external events.
• All humans are part of a universal community: The Stoics stress the interconnectedness of all human beings, advocating for an expanded sense of social responsibility that extends beyond our immediate family and community to encompass all of humankind.
This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a clear and comprehensive introduction to the foundations of Stoic ethics. The authors skillfully combine scholarly rigor with practical insights, making this ancient philosophy accessible and relevant for modern readers. It is an essential guide for anyone interested in exploring the transformative power of Stoicism as a framework for living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
The book’s structure reflects its dual aims of presenting both the theoretical foundations of Stoic ethics and its practical application in daily life. Each chapter is divided into two parts: the first part, written by Gill, examines key concepts and arguments of ancient Stoic ethical theory while the second part, written by Polat and titled "Modern Applications,” considers the relevance of these ideas for modern readers.
The book sets out the core “vision” of Stoic ethics, highlighting several unifying themes:
• Happiness depends solely on virtue: The Stoics hold that virtue, conceived as a form of knowledge or expertise, is the only true good and the only basis needed for happiness.
• Ethical development is a natural process: The Stoics believe that all humans are capable of developing towards virtue through a process of “appropriation” (oikeiōsis), which involves cultivating our natural inclination to care for ourselves and others.
• Virtue is expressed through appropriate actions: The Stoics provide guidance on making good decisions and acting in accordance with virtue in specific situations, emphasizing the importance of understanding our own character and social roles.
• Reason governs our emotions: The Stoics emphasize the importance of using reason to manage our emotions, understanding that our emotional responses are shaped by our beliefs and judgments, not by external events.
• All humans are part of a universal community: The Stoics stress the interconnectedness of all human beings, advocating for an expanded sense of social responsibility that extends beyond our immediate family and community to encompass all of humankind.
This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a clear and comprehensive introduction to the foundations of Stoic ethics. The authors skillfully combine scholarly rigor with practical insights, making this ancient philosophy accessible and relevant for modern readers. It is an essential guide for anyone interested in exploring the transformative power of Stoicism as a framework for living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews