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'John Sellars excels at writing short books for a general audience
on ancient philosophy. . . A great way into one of the greatest
philosophers of all time' Nigel Warburton, Five Books Why has
Aristotle had such an astounding influence on the world? What are
his key ideas? What can he still teach us today? The Lyceum in
Athens, now a ruin, has a claim to be the most significant place in
human history. It is the site of Aristotle's school. Here the
philosopher taught and discussed the answers to the deepest
mysteries of the human condition, and changed the way we think.
Today, it can be difficult to fully comprehend the staggering
influence of Aristotle's lessons. Yet his observations about the
world around him and his reflections on the nature of knowledge
laid the foundations for all empirical science. His study of
rational thought formed the basis of formal logic, the cornerstone
of philosophical investigation. His examination of Greek
city-states gave us political science, while his analysis of drama
remains a mainstay of literature courses around the world.
Acclaimed philosopher John Sellars takes us on a journey through
Aristotle's thought, vividly bringing to life his key ideas, and
demonstrating that the famous philosopher's capacity for curiosity
continues to offer us all a vision of more fulfilled lives. The
lessons of Aristotle, he shows, still have much to teach us today.
This is the first introduction to Stoic philosophy for 30 years.
Aimed at readers new to Stoicism and to ancient philosophy, it
outlines the central philosophical ideas of Stoicism and introduces
the reader to the different ancient authors and sources that they
will encounter when exploring Stoicism. The range of sources that
are drawn upon in the reconstruction of Stoic philosophy can be
bewildering for the beginner. Sellars guides the reader through the
surviving works of the late Stoic authors, Seneca and Epictetus,
and the fragments relating to the early Stoics found in authors
such as Plutarch and Stobaeus. The opening chapter offers an
introduction to the ancient Stoics, their works, and other ancient
authors who report material about ancient Stoic philosophy. The
second chapter considers how the Stoics themselves conceived
philosophy and how they structured their own philosophical system.
Chapters 3-5 offer accounts of Stoic philosophical doctrines
arranged according to the Stoic division of philosophical discourse
into three parts: logic, physics, and ethics. The final chapter
considers the later impact of Stoicism on Western philosophy. At
the end of the volume there is a detailed guide to further reading.
In this new study, John Sellars offers a fresh examination of
Marcus Aurelius' Meditations as a work of philosophy by placing it
against the background of the tradition of Stoic philosophy to
which Marcus was committed. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is a
perennial bestseller, attracting countless readers drawn to its
unique mix of philosophical reflection and practical advice. The
emperor is usually placed alongside Seneca and Epictetus as one of
three great Roman Stoic authors, but he wears his philosophy
lightly, not feeling the need to state explicitly the ideas
standing behind the reflections that he was writing for himself. As
a consequence, his standing as a philosopher has often been
questioned. Challenging claims that Marcus Aurelius was merely an
eclectic thinker, that the Meditations do not fit the model of a
work of philosophy, that there are no arguments in the work, and
that it only contains superficial moral advice, Sellars shows that
he was in constant dialogue with his Stoic predecessors, engaging
with themes drawn from all three parts of Stoicism: logic, physics,
and ethics. The image of Marcus Aurelius that emerges is of a
committed Stoic, engaging with a wide range of philosophical
topics, motivated by the desire to live a good life. This volume
will be of interest to scholars and students of both Classics and
Philosophy.
In this new study, John Sellars offers a fresh examination of
Marcus Aurelius' Meditations as a work of philosophy by placing it
against the background of the tradition of Stoic philosophy to
which Marcus was committed. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is a
perennial bestseller, attracting countless readers drawn to its
unique mix of philosophical reflection and practical advice. The
emperor is usually placed alongside Seneca and Epictetus as one of
three great Roman Stoic authors, but he wears his philosophy
lightly, not feeling the need to state explicitly the ideas
standing behind the reflections that he was writing for himself. As
a consequence, his standing as a philosopher has often been
questioned. Challenging claims that Marcus Aurelius was merely an
eclectic thinker, that the Meditations do not fit the model of a
work of philosophy, that there are no arguments in the work, and
that it only contains superficial moral advice, Sellars shows that
he was in constant dialogue with his Stoic predecessors, engaging
with themes drawn from all three parts of Stoicism: logic, physics,
and ethics. The image of Marcus Aurelius that emerges is of a
committed Stoic, engaging with a wide range of philosophical
topics, motivated by the desire to live a good life. This volume
will be of interest to scholars and students of both Classics and
Philosophy.
How can Stoicism inspire us to lead more enjoyable lives? In the
past few years, Stoicism has been making a comeback. But what
exactly did the Stoics believe? In Lessons in Stoicism, philosopher
John Sellars weaves together the key ideas of the three great Roman
Stoics -- Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius -- with snapshots
of their fascinating lives, to show us how their ideas can help us
today. In vivid prose, Sellars shows how the works of these three
Stoics have inspired readers ever since, speaking as they do to
some of the perennial issues that face anyone trying to navigate
their way through life. Their works, fundamentally, are about how
to live -- how to understand one's place in the world, how to cope
when things don't go well, how to manage one's emotions and how to
behave towards others. Consoling and inspiring, Lessons in Stoicism
is a deeply thoughtful guide to the philosophy of a good life.
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Meditations (Hardcover)
Marcus Aurelius; Introduction by John Sellars; Translated by A.S.L. Farquharson
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R334
R234
Discovery Miles 2 340
Save R100 (30%)
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A timely book for today's world, Marcus Aurelius's Meditations
explores how to endure hardship, how to cope with change and how to
find something positive out of adversity. Part of the Macmillan
Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized
classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful
books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This
edition is translated by A. S. L. Farquharson and features an
introduction by John Sellars. The Meditations are a set of personal
reflections by Marcus Aurelius. He writes about the vicissitudes of
his own life and explores how to live wisely and virtuously in an
unpredictable world. He was a follower of the Stoic tradition of
philosophy, and one of its finest advocates, both in the clarity of
his writing and in the uprightness of his life. The aphorisms show
how for him, as perhaps for us all, the answer to life lies in
keeping a calm and rational mind, and in refusing to be cast down
or alarmed by things over which we have no control.
Stoicism was one of the most influential schools of philosophy in
antiquity and its influence 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. As one of the most popular
philosophies of the Roman world, its doctrines appealed to people
from all strata of ancient society - from the slave Epictetus to
the emperor Marcus Aurelius. This book provides a comprehensive
introduction to this great philosophical school. As well as
outlining the central philosophical ideas of Stoicism, it aims to
introduce readers to the different ancient authors and sources that
they will encounter when exploring Stoicism. This book begins by
introducing the ancient Stoics and their works. It then considers
how the Stoics themselves conceived philosophy and how they
formulated their own philosophical system. The core chapters
examine Stoic philosophical doctrines in depth, taking each
division of Stoic theory in turn: logic, physics, and ethics. The
final chapter provides a fascinating account of the Stoic legacy
from later antiquity to the present. This book includes a glossary,
chronology and guide to further reading, which, together with its
accessible yet authoritative approach, make it an ideal
introduction for students and general readers.
To counter the daily anxieties, stress, and emotional swings caused
by the barrage of stimuli that plagues modern life, many people
have been finding unexpected solace in a philosophy from a very
different and distant time: Stoicism. Today, more than 100,000
people are members of online communities for modern Stoics, and
there are annual conferences, meet-ups, and workshops for those
aspiring to walk the Stoic path. But what is Stoicism, and what
makes it resonate so powerfully today? As John Sellars shows in The
Pocket Stoic, the popular image of the isolated and unfeeling Stoic
hardly does justice to the rich vein of thought that we find in the
work of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, the three great
Roman Stoics. Their works are recognized classics, and for good
reason-they speak to some of the perennial issues that face anyone
trying to navigate their way through life. These writings,
fundamentally, are about how to live-how to understand your place
in the world, how to cope when things don't go well, how to manage
your emotions, how to behave toward others, and finally, how to
live a good life. To be a Stoic is to recognize that much of the
suffering in your life is due to the way you think about things,
and that you have the ability to train your mind to look at the
world in a new way-to recognize what you can and cannot control and
to turn adversity into opportunity. Concise and accessible, The
Pocket Stoic provides a welcome introduction to the lives and
thought of the key Stoics. It is also a perfect guide to help you
start incorporating the practice of Stoicism into your everyday
approach to life.
The ancient philosophy of stoicism has been a crucial and formative
influence on the development of Western thought since its inception
through to the present day. It is not only an important area of
study in philosophy and classics, but also in theology and
literature. The Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition is the
first volume of its kind, and an outstanding guide and reference
source to the nature and continuing significance of stoicism.
Comprising twenty-six chapters by a team of international
contributors and organised chronologically, the Handbook is divided
into four parts: Antiquity and the Middle Ages, including stoicism
in Rome; stoicism in early Christianity; the Platonic response to
stoicism; and stoic influences in the late Middle Ages Renaissance
and Reformation, addressing the impact of stoicism on the Italian
Renaissance, Reformation thought, and early modern English
literature including Shakespeare Early Modern Europe, including
stoicism and early modern French thought; the stoic influence on
Spinoza and Leibniz; stoicism and the French and Scottish
Enlightenment; and Kant and stoic ethics The Modern World,
including stoicism in nineteenth century German philosophy;
stoicism in Victorian culture; stoicism in America; stoic themes in
contemporary Anglo-American ethics; and the stoic influence on
modern psychotherapy. An invaluable resource for anyone interested
in the philosophical history and impact of stoic thought, The
Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition is essential reading for
all students and researchers working on the subject.
Justus Lipsius' De Constantia (1584) is one of the most important
and interesting of sixteenth century Humanist texts. A dialogue in
two books, conceived as a philosophical consolation for those
suffering through contemporary religious wars, De Constantia proved
immensely popular in its day and formed the inspiration for what
has become known as 'Neo-stoicism'. This movement advocated the
revival of Stoic ethics in a form that would be palatable to a
Christian audience. In De Constantia Lipsius deploys Stoic
arguments concerning appropriate attitudes towards emotions and
external events. He also makes clear which parts of stoic
philosophy must be rejected, including its materialism and its
determinism. De Constantia was translated into a number of
vernacular languages soon after its original publication in Latin.
Of the English translations that were made, that by Sir John
Stradling (1595) became a classic; it was last reprinted in 1939.
The present edition offers a lightly revised version of Stradling's
translation, updated for modern readers, along with a new
introduction, notes and bibliography.
The ancient philosophy of stoicism has been a crucial and formative
influence on the development of Western thought since its inception
through to the present day. It is not only an important area of
study in philosophy and classics, but also in theology and
literature. The Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition is the
first volume of its kind, and an outstanding guide and reference
source to the nature and continuing significance of stoicism.
Comprising twenty-six chapters by a team of international
contributors and organised chronologically, the Handbook is divided
into four parts: Antiquity and the Middle Ages, including stoicism
in Rome; stoicism in early Christianity; the Platonic response to
stoicism; and stoic influences in the late Middle Ages Renaissance
and Reformation, addressing the impact of stoicism on the Italian
Renaissance, Reformation thought, and early modern English
literature including Shakespeare Early Modern Europe, including
stoicism and early modern French thought; the stoic influence on
Spinoza and Leibniz; stoicism and the French and Scottish
Enlightenment; and Kant and stoic ethics The Modern World,
including stoicism in nineteenth century German philosophy;
stoicism in Victorian culture; stoicism in America; stoic themes in
contemporary Anglo-American ethics; and the stoic influence on
modern psychotherapy. An invaluable resource for anyone interested
in the philosophical history and impact of stoic thought, The
Routledge Handbook of the Stoic Tradition is essential reading for
all students and researchers working on the subject.
What do we really need in order to live a happy life? An Epicurean
antidote to anxiety Over two thousand years ago the Greek
philosopher Epicurus offered a seemingly simple answer: all we
really want is pleasure. Today we tend to associate the word
'Epicurean' with the enjoyment of fine food and wine and decadent
self-indulgence. But, as philosopher John Sellars shows, these
things are a world away from the vision of a pleasant life
developed by Epicurus and his followers who were more concerned
with mental pleasures and avoiding pain. Their goal, in short, was
a life of tranquillity. In this uplifting and elegant book, Sellars
walks us through the history of Epicureanism from a private garden
on the edge of ancient Athens to the streets of Rome, showing us
how it can help us think anew about joy, friendship, nature and
being alive in the world.
Why has Aristotle had such an astounding influence on the world?
What are his key ideas? What can he still teach us today? The
Lyceum in Athens, now a ruin, has a claim to be the most
significant place in human history. It is the site of Aristotle's
school. Here the philosopher taught and discussed the answers to
the deepest mysteries of the human condition, and changed the way
we think. Today, it can be difficult to fully comprehend the
staggering influence of Aristotle's lessons. Yet his observations
about the world around him and his reflections on the nature of
knowledge laid the foundations for all empirical science. His study
of rational thought formed the basis of formal logic, the
cornerstone of philosophical investigation. His examination of
Greek city-states gave us political science, while his analysis of
drama remains a mainstay of literature courses around the world.
Acclaimed philosopher John Sellars takes us on a journey through
Aristotle's thought, vividly bringing to life his key ideas, and
demonstrating that the famous philosopher's capacity for curiosity
continues to offer us all a vision of more fulfilled lives. The
lessons of Aristotle, he shows, still have much to teach us today.
It is a commonplace to say that in antiquity philosophy was
conceived as a way of life or an art of living, but precisely what
such claims amount to has remained unclear. If ancient philosophers
did think that philosophy should transform an individual's way of
life, then what conception of philosophy stands behind this claim?
John Sellars explores this question via a detailed account of
ancient Stoic ideas about the nature and function of philosophy. He
considers the Socratic background to Stoic thinking about
philosophy and Sceptical objections raised by Sextus Empiricus, and
offers readings of late Stoic texts by Epictetus and Marcus
Aurelius. Sellars argues that the conception of philosophy as an
'art of living', inaugurated by Socrates and developed by the
Stoics, has persisted since antiquity and remains a living
alternative to modern attempts to assimilate philosophy to the
natural sciences. It also enables us to rethink the relationship
between an individual's philosophy and their biography. The book
appears here in paperback for the first time with a new preface by
the author.
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