A Short Guide to the Inner Citadel: On Pierre Hadot’s Classic Analysis of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations

by Massimo Pigliucci

Pierre Hadot’s The Inner Citadel is a classic of modern Stoicism and a must read for anyone seriously interested in the philosophies of Marcus Aurelius and of the thinker who influenced him the most, Epictetus. This publication emerged out of an intensive three-day workshop I taught on Hadot’s book and represents an attempt to introduce readers to what is otherwise a fairly technical and lengthy treatment. Nevertheless, please take what you are about to read as an invitation and a guide to actually reading Hadot, not just as self-sufficient Cliffs Notes. Enjoy, study, and practice.

ebook

Published July 13, 2021

About the author

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 academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books) and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press).

His new book is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (The Experiment).

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read Marcus Aurelius's Meditations. Before that I want to read Pierre Hadot's The Inner Citadel.
Then I saw this book and decided to read it before reading that. I don't regret reading Massimo's book for a second! Now I can hopefully better appreciate Hadot and the Emperor-Philosopher himself.