The practicing stoic

by Ward Farnsworth

260 pages

English language

Published Nov. 13, 2018

ISBN:: 978-1-56792-611-8
OCLC Number:: 994583179

(6 reviews)

At the school of philosophy founded at Athens by Zeno of Citium the teachers believed that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge and reason, and encouraged indifference to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain. Farnsworth integrates his own observations with scores of quotations to provide perspective of the various Stoic philosophers. His organization and commentary makes the meaning and relevance of this ancient philosophy clear for our times.

1 edition

andbenn reviewed The practicing stoic by Ward Farnsworth

Fantastic analysis and thought about Stoicism

4 stars

Picked up this book as part of my reading about Stoicism. And I really enjoyed it! This takes a conversational yet sort of academic style to cover 12 major thought areas of Stoicism (judgement, externals, perspective, death, desire, wealth and pleasure, what others think, valuation, emotion, adversity, virtue, and learning). The author has an intro to each topic, then walked through it weaving several quotes from ancient stoics and modern philosophers to cover the topic

The last chapter is about criticisms of Stoicism, which is very healthy to see the other side and understand the thoughts against the philosophy.

I liked how the topics were presented and the quotes and analysis from the writers came together. Obviously they read each other and were influenced, and this shows that progression. Well done.

I borrowed this from my library, but I'll be on the lookout for a used or sale copy for …

The last chapter is about criticisms of Stoicism, which is very healthy to see the other side and understand the thoughts against the philosophy.

I liked how the topics were presented and the quotes and analysis from the writers came together. Obviously they read each other and were influenced, and this shows that progression. Well done.

I borrowed this from my library, but I'll be on the lookout for a used or sale copy for my library. It'll be worth re-reading in a year or so.

barning reviewed The practicing stoic by Ward Farnsworth

Review of 'The practicing stoic' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Ein Buch, welches ich sicherlich noch mehrmals im Leben herausholen werde, um darin zu blättern (dafür ist es auch gemacht). Beim Lesen war ich erstaunt, wie sich die Gedanken der Menschen zu sich und ihrer Umwelt in den letzten 2000 Jahren kein Stück verändert haben. Ein Glück, denn somit sind die Gedanken der Leute, die Farnsworth zitiert, mehr als aktuell.

Gelesen habe ich es meist abends, doch arbeitete es tagsüber in mir weiter. Es lohnt sich mit Aanderen über den Inhalt zu sprechen oder alleine seine Gedanken und Meinungen zu reflektieren.

Wie gesagt, es wird definitiv noch mehrfach in meinem Leben aus dem Schrank geholt.

Matto reviewed The practicing stoic by Ward Farnsworth

Review of 'The practicing stoic' on 'GoodReads'

5 stars

This books helps to understand the teachings of the stoics. It explains the principles with quotations from people like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, and also some newer work like from Montagne.