stoicism: an introduction

(with Dr. Paul Musso )

Apply Ancient Wisdom

To Modern Life.

Stoic wisdom, rooted in ancient philosophy, offers practical guidance for navigating modern life. Central to Stoicism is the idea that while we can't control external events, we can control how we respond to them. This mindset fosters resilience, helping us manage stress, setbacks, and uncertainty. By focusing on what’s within our power—our thoughts, actions, and attitudes—we cultivate inner peace.

Ivy-League Instruction.

A Fraction Of The Cost.

University courses are too expensive and too impersonal. I believe that the Humanities should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. After spending several years teaching and studying Ancient Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, I have decided to make my courses available to the public in an affordable and personalized way. Enjoy the benefits of studying Philosophy in a small group setting with expert instruction.

Small Class Size.

Quality Instruction.

This course will be in-person only and will be limited to 10 seats per class in order to guarantee the highest quality instruction. Each student gets a significant amount of time to discuss philosophical ideas with others and the instructor.

Current Schedule:

October 6 - 27,

Sunday Mornings

Enroll Now

Meet Your Instructor

Paul Musso, PhD

I remember how intimidating the subject of philosophy was for me when I first started questioning the world around me.

I was exposed to philosophical ideas as a young adult through classic films like "The Matrix" and, although I was fascinated, I always felt like I didn't really "get it".

When I would try to read difficult books, or talk to people who were smarter than me, I felt very uncomfortable and believed that I would never be able to think on a deeper level.

But there wasn't something wrong with me.

What I didn't realize was that although philosophy is a notoriously difficult subject, if you had the right resources, and approached it in the right way, it could become more and more understandable.

But how do we know where to start? What should we read, and who should we listen to?

I made a lot of mistakes in my philosophical journey, but after years of teaching and studying philosophy, I have learned what to avoid and where to start.

I have specifically designed this course to help complete beginners avoid making the same mistakes that I did, and feeling the way that I felt when I first became interested in philosophy.

What You Will Learn

In this course, you will learn the core tenets of Stoicism and how to apply them to modern life. You will learn the core tenets by discussing and meditating on the ideas of the most significant Stoic philosophers: Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Finally, you will learn how to apply these tenets to modern life in order to help you manage emotions, stress, and rethink your sense of self and place in the world.

Overview Of Stoicism

In this course you will learn the origins of Stoicism in Ancient Greek Philosophy and also receive a general overview of its main historical developments. Beginning with a brief study of Socrates, we will trace the developments of Stoicism from Athens to Rome.

Stoicism and Emotion

Explore Stoic wisdom on managing our emotions such as anger, lust, and grief. The great Stoic philosophers offered a plethora of practical tips for cultivating and maintaining moral excellence in dealing with our emotions.

Happiness and Virtue

This course will also introduce you to the core tenets of Stoicism, such as self-control, virtue, happiness, and the unity of humankind. Learn what has defined Stoicism as a philosophical school across the centuries.

Applying Stoicism

Apply the lessons learned in the course to the problems and challenges of modern life. Stoicism offers a powerful worldview to reorient your relationship to daily life and its challenges.

Module 1: Stoicism Overview

In this module, you will:

Study the origins of Stoicism in the context of Ancient Greek philosophy.
Become acquainted Socrates and his influence on the development of Stoicism.
Learn about the school of Cynicism and its connections to be Socrates and Stoicism.
Be introduced to the core concepts of Ancient Ethics such as Virtue and Flourishing.
Learn about the historical developments of Stoicism from Athens to Rome.

Module 2: Core Tenets of Stoicism

In this module, you will:

Learn the Stoic philosophy on self-control and self-mastery
Study the concept of Virtue and its relation to Happiness
Discuss Stoic views on the emotions, nature, and death.
Consider our place in nature and the cosmos

Module 3: Stoicism and the Emotions

In this module, you will:

Learn the Stoic view of the emotions
Discuss Stoics strategies to master our emotions
Learn about the nature of pleasure and pain.
Contemplate the relationship between the self, emotions, and happiness

Module 4: Stoicism and Modern Life

In this module, you will:

Learn strategies for applying Stoic philosophy to the problems of modern life
Develop an action plan for incorporating Stoicism into your life.
Contemplate our place in the world and relationship to nature.
Meditate on life, death, and what it means to live well.

Course Syllabus And Module Overview

This course is divided into four modules outlined below. Each module is specifically designed to provide a general overview of one of the main philosophical schools of thought in the ancient ethical tradition. Out of the six weeks in the course, two weeks will be spent on Aristotelianism and Stoicism, given their complexity.

Questions And Answers About The Course

1. Do I Need A College Degree To Study Philosophy Seriously?

Definitely not! Although philosophy is hard, it is a subject that is available to anyone who is curious, open-minded, and willing to work hard.

2. Do I Need To Read Anything In Order To Understand This Course?

The course is designed to require no texts or reading, although recommendations will be provided. Philosophy is a conversational discipline, and although reading philosophy is important and beneficial in various ways, it is not necessary to read any philosophical texts before taking this course. Some texts will be provided during our meetings to facilitate discussion. At higher levels, reading philosophy becomes essential. To that end, I plan to offer a separate course in the future for those who are interested in learning how to read philosophical texts in pursuit of advanced study.

3. Which Philosophers Will We Discuss In This Course?

This course will be primarily focused on the Roman school of Stoicism, which features the philosophers Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. We will also discuss some other philosophers along the way such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero.

Closing Thoughts

When I think back to when I bought my first Philosophy book, I am in awe about how a simple curiosity about a subject matter could turn into a passionate lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

I purchased my first Philosophy book in High School, and it was titled "50 Philosophy Ideas You Really Need To Know". I remember telling myself that I was committed to finishing the entire book, even though I found the first few pages difficult.

One step at a time, one page at a time, and I have continued to read and learn new ways to see, new ways to think, and new ways to make sense of the human experience.

Philosophy is not for everyone, but everyone has a philosopher inside of them.

I want to share the beauty of this subject with as many people as I possibly can, so that it can change their lives the way it has changed mine.

Sincerely,

Paul Musso