Stoicism by John Sellars

Stoicism by John Sellars

This new edition of Stoicism provides an introduction to one of the most influential schools of philosophy in antiquity, the influence of which has persisted to the present day.

Originating in Athens around 300 BCE, Stoicism flourished for some five hundred years and has remained a constant presence throughout the history of Western philosophy. This new revised edition takes into account the wealth of scholarship that has been published in the last 20 years and the explosion of interest in Stoicism as a practical guide for living today. It begins with a complete introduction to the ancient Stoics, their works, and how they formulated their own philosophical system. The chapters then thoroughly examine the three core branches of Stoic philosophical doctrine – logic, physics, and ethics – while the final chapter provides an account of the Stoic legacy from later antiquity to now. The book also includes a chronology, useful glossaries, and a guide to further reading.

This accessible, authoritative guide is an ideal introduction to the philosophy of Stoicism that stands behind much of the practical advice offered by Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, suitable for students and general readers.

John Sellars is Reader in the History of Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London. He has written widely on Stoicism and its later reception. His books include The Art of Living, Hellenistic Philosophy, Lessons in Stoicism, The Fourfold Remedy, Marcus Aurelius, and Aristotle: Understanding the World’s Greatest Philosopher. He is the editor of The Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition and The Cambridge Companion to Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations.