John Sellars est un érudit de premier plan dans le domaine de la philosophie, spécialisé dans le stoïcisme et la pensée hellénistique. Son travail explore l'application pratique de la philosophie antique, en examinant comment les principes stoïciens peuvent éclairer notre approche de la vie. Les écrits de Sellars mettent en lumière la nature et la fonction de la philosophie en tant que mode de vie, offrant aux lecteurs des aperçus profonds d'une sagesse durable.
John Sellars presents a broad and lively introduction to Hellenistic philosophy (c.330-30 BC). This was a rich period for philosophy, with the birth of Epicureanism and Stoicism, alongside the activities of Platonists, Aristotelians, and Cynics. Sellars offers accessible coverage of all areas from epistemology to ethics and politics.
To counter the daily anxieties and emotional swings caused by modern life's barrage of stimuli, many have turned to a distant philosophy: Stoicism. Over 100,000 people now engage in online communities for modern Stoics, with annual conferences and workshops for those seeking to embrace this philosophy. But what is Stoicism, and why does it resonate today? The popular image of the unfeeling Stoic overlooks the profound insights from Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, the three great Roman Stoics. Their works address timeless issues faced by anyone navigating life, focusing on how to live well—understanding your place in the world, coping with adversity, managing emotions, and interacting with others. Stoicism teaches that much of our suffering stems from our thoughts and that we can train our minds to perceive the world differently. By recognizing what we can control and transforming adversity into opportunity, we can lead more fulfilling lives. This concise and accessible guide offers an introduction to the lives and thoughts of key Stoics, serving as a practical resource for incorporating Stoic practices into daily life.
A deeply comforting and enlightening book on how Stoicism can inspire us to lead more enjoyable lives What aspects of your life do you really control? What do you do when you cannot guarantee that things will turn out in your favour? And what can Stoicism teach us about how to live together? 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.
A short, smart guide to living the good life through the teachings of Epicurus.As long as there has been human life, we’ve searched for what it means to be happy. More than two thousand years ago, the Greek philosopher Epicurus came to his own all we really want in life is pleasure. Though today we tend to associate the word “Epicurean” with indulgence in the form of food and wine, the philosophy of Epicurus was about a life well lived even in the hardest of times. As John Sellars shows in this concise, approachable guide, the ideal life envisioned by Epicurus and his followers was a life much more concerned with mental pleasures and the avoidance of pain. Their goal, in short, was a life of tranquility or contentment. In The Pocket Epicurean Sellars walks us through the history of Epicureanism, starting with the private garden on the edge of ancient Athens where Epicurus and his students lived in the fourth century BC, and where women were as welcome as men. Sellars then moves on to ancient Rome, where Epicurean influence flourished thanks to the poet Lucretius and his cohort. Throughout the book, Sellars draws on the ideas of Epicurus to offer a constructive way of thinking about the pleasures of friendship and our place in the world.
Focusing on ancient Stoicism, the book delves into how philosophy was viewed as a transformative way of life. John Sellars examines the philosophical foundations behind this perspective, tracing its roots to Socratic thought and addressing Sceptical critiques from Sextus Empiricus. Additionally, he provides insightful interpretations of late Stoic writings by notable figures such as Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, highlighting the enduring relevance of these ideas in understanding the purpose and function of philosophy.
There is in Athens a rather plain ruin; a simple courtyard lined with fragments of wall. Yet, this little patch of land has a claim to be the most significant place in human history. It is the Lyceum, site of Aristotle's school- here the philosopher wandered, discussing his life's work with students, proposing answers to the mysteries of the human condition. Today, it can be difficult to fully comprehend the staggering influence of these lessons. Aristotle's 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. In lucid prose, acclaimed philosopher John Sellars takes us on a journey through Aristotle's thought, vividly bringing to life the key ideas, and demonstrating that the famous philosopher's capacity for curiosity continues to offer us all a vision of more fulfilled lives. Aristotle has lessons still to teach.
Stoicism needs a new work of this kind. Sellars not only takes good account of the last thirty years of research, he also has much of his own to contribute. I particularly applaud his focus on Epictetus and on Stoicism as an art of life. --A.A. Long, author of Stoic Studies
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.