[NYC Stoics Reading Group] Demoralizing the Stoics

[Cross-posted from NYC Stoics]

A lot of Stoic theory gets lost in translation. One common example is translating arete as "virtue"-- an English word that carries connotations that the ancient word doesn't have. But the poor mapping between modern concepts and ancient Stoic ones doesn't stop there.

In this meetup, we'll discuss a paper from scholar Tad Brennan who argues other modern moral notions don't map onto ancient Stoic ethics well. Specifically, Brennan argues:

1. The Stoics had no notion that is akin to the modern concept of duty
2. The difference between virtue and Stoic indifferents is not akin to the difference between the moral and non-moral domains
3. The Stoic sage would not use notions of virtue in their deliberations

To prepare for this meetup, please read Tad Brennan's Demoralizing the Stoics in full and come prepared with questions or concepts you want to discuss. The text can be downloaded for free here.

We'll be assuming you did the reading at this meetup, so if you didn't, it's likely you'll be left behind!