The Way of the Stoic (Blue Ridge, Summer 2026)

The Way of the Stoic

Two sessions, July 9, 16, 2026, Thursdays 10-12

Blue Ridge

Course Description

The popular notion of a “stoic” as an unemotional and inactive person misses the value of classical Stoic thinking. This course will introduce three central voices of Stoicism: Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. We will consider how their practical guidance for the virtuous life can be relevant to what we are facing in these anxious, uncertain times.

Week One: Seneca and Epictetus

Roman Stoic philosopher Lucius Seneca (4BCE-65CE), a teacher and troublemaker for emperors, was a student of the good and wise life. What he learned from both privileged and painful experiences presents practical guidance for our lives today. Through readings, lectures and discussions we will search for sensible lessons in Seneca’s letters and essays as well as in selected writings of fellow Stoics like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Their ethically-centered, secular-based worldviews offer wisdom for any serious student.

Recommended texts: John Sellars, Lessons in Stoicism, Penguin Books, 2019 (ISBN: 978-0-141-99004-0); Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Penguin Classics, 2004 (ISBN-13: 978-0-140-44210-6)