Athens Practical Philosophy Seminar: Beyond Stoicism

What is a good life? And how can we create that life in a world filled with uncertainty? We invite you to find your own answers to these big questions with help from thirteen of the most prominent Greco-Roman philosophers. By taking cues from the lives and ideas of the Cynics, Epicureans, and others, you’ll learn to:

• Seek pleasure with Aristippus
• Strike the right balance with Aristotle
• Focus on what’s up to you with Epictetus
• Be a rebel like Hipparchia
• Embrace uncertainty with Carneades
• Question everything with Socrates
• Work toward a just society with Plato

Times have changed, but the quest for eudaimonia—a life worth living—stays the same: We still seek pleasure and crave love, avoid pain and fear death. That’s why all these ancient sages can continue to guide us today.

Suggested reading:

Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers, by M. Pigliucci, G. Lopez, and M. Alexander Kunz, The Experiment.

UK version: Live Like a Philosopher—What the Ancient Greeks and Romans Can Teach Us About Living a Happy Life.

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Location: Philippos Hotel, Mitseon 3, Athens 117 42, Greece.

This event is sponsored by the Stoa Nova school for a new Stoicism, and will be facilitated by three of its faculty.

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Program

Thursday, June 26

3pm-6pm: The three ports—pleasure, character, and doubt

8pm-10pm: dinner in small groups, philosophy chats

Friday, June 27

9am-12pm: Exploring the port of pleasure—Aristippus and Epicurus

12pm-3pm: lunch break, eateries nearby

3pm-6pm: Exploring the port of character—Aristotle, Epictetus, Hipparchia, and Plato

8pm-10pm: social dinner at Point Restaurant (rooftop of the Herodion Hotel)

Saturday, June 28

9am-12pm: Exploring the port of doubt—Socrates, Protagoras, Carneades, and Pyrrho

12pm-3pm: lunch break, eateries nearby

3pm-6pm: Here be dragons—Pythagoras, Stilpo, and Hypatia

8pm-10pm: dinner in small groups, philosophy chats

Sunday, June 29

Half-day excursion (with lunch) to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, where the Ionian and Aegean seas meet.

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About the facilitators:

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His new book is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment). More here.

Meredith Alexander Kunz is a writer who created The Stoic Mom blog in 2016 to explore how parents and kids can benefit from practicing Stoic philosophy (now on Substack). She is a communications leader in Silicon Valley and a personal and professional development coach. Meredith earned a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard College and a master’s degree in history from Stanford University. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, The San Francisco Daily Journal, The Industry Standard, The Stanford Report, The STOIC magazine, the Stoicism Today blog, and more. With Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, she co-authored the new book Beyond Stoicism (in UK: Live Like a Philosopher).

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Fee: $200/person. Payment will not be automatic, you will be contacted by the host with instructions. Your rsvp is tentative until we have received your fee. Thank you!

Refund (minus processing fee) if: (i) the seminar is canceled; or (ii) if you cancel by midnight (ET) on 25 March 2025.