The Stoics: A Guide for the Perplexed

Guides for the Perplexed

by Mark Andrew Holowchak

Stoicism was a key philosophical movement in the Hellenistic period. Today, the stoics are central to the study of Ethics and Ancient Philosophy. In The A Guide for the Perplexed , M. Andrew Holowchak sketches, from Zeno to Aurelius, a framework thatcaptures the tenor of stoic ethical thinking in its key terms. Drawing on the readily available works of Seneca, Epictetus and Aurelius, Holowchak makes ancient texts accessible to students unfamiliar with Stoic thought. Providing ancient and modern-day examples to illustrate Stoic principles, the author guides the reader through the main themes and ideas of Stoic Stoic cosmology, epistemology, views of nature, selfknowledge, perfectionism and, in particular, ethics. Holowchak also endeavours to present Stoicism as an ethically viable way of life today through rejecting their notion of ethical perfectionism in favor of a type of ethical progressivism consistent with other key Stoic principles.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2008

Reviews

[Mike Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, this book is a comprehensive look at all the relevant Stoics, plus Epicurius and Cicero(particularly Cicero's On Ends text). Some seem to false-advertise new stoic literature, when in fact it is another translation of Marcus Aurelius, roundly not delivering on what was sought by the reader, however here Holowchak manages to not only mention the masters but make some extrapolations in the light of his own readings. One could argue that one of his extrapolate tenets may be out of sink with one of the big Stoics' teachings, but one cannot argue that Holowchak has not presented what could be agreed upon as sort of a cross-section or average of the collected teachings.

[James Feeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

great introduction to Stoicism. Stoicism is much more than just ethics, although that's how most of us get interested in it. Holowchak lays out the physics and logic of stoicism very accessibly in addition to the ethics.

[Nahanni Nagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid and detailed review

Not a light read, but a comprehensive and well structured overview, certainly worth the read and the time investment. Thanks

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to stoicism, it was quite thought provoking and I learned a lot. I wonder how much influence these guys had on Christian gnostics and Muslim Sufis.