[haagm58]

Several years ago, I came across Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" and it changed my outlook on life. It resonated with me so deeply and started me on a journey of Stoic and other philosophical reading. It put many of my personal beliefs into clearer view more so than organized religion or personal development had in the past.

Prior to normal life being put on hold this year, I was starting a discussion among friends and neighbors. We were attempting to start a small group to meet regularly and discuss philosophy. Not to push beliefs on each other, but to try to answer questions about how to live a better life.

Stoicism is centered around four pillars: wisdom, justice, courage, temperance. It is focused on understanding how to lead a virtuous life...and living one.

I suspect many of you are practicing philosophers, and some of those are Stoics.

If you're comfortable sharing, please comment here if you are interested in or are practicing Stoicism. There is much we can all discuss, including sharing helpful books, websites, podcasts, and asking and answering important questions.

[Murf993]

I've always had an interest in philosophy and was doing a lot of reading a few years back. I wanted to take some courses just for the mental workout. My cousin studied philosophy at Queens University and it was always great to talk to him about just about anything as his mind worked in such an interesting way. I don't know how this forum will work but I'm happy to sit back and watch.

[haagm58]

Originally Posted by Murf993

I've always had an interest in philosophy and was doing a lot of reading a few years back. I wanted to take some courses just for the mental workout. My cousin studied philosophy at Queens University and it was always great to talk to him about just about anything as his mind worked in such an interesting way. I don't know how this forum will work but I'm happy to sit back and watch.

That's great you have a family member to talk with about philosophy.

Did you gravitate toward any one philosophy, author, or book? I find it fascinating how many different philosophies from different centuries and geographies have overlapping principles.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by haagm58

That's great you have a family member to talk with about philosophy.

Did you gravitate toward any one philosophy, author, or book? I find it fascinating how many different philosophies from different centuries and geographies have overlapping principles.

I was generally a dabbler and trying to just take a general overview. I hadn't picked a direction really. There was a couple of books I had read and found interesting and some that were just to deep to get through. I read a book by a guy named Taylor (I think), he was a Protestant minister and it was a reflection on the Seven Deadly Sins. It was a pretty easy read, or at least I found it to be.

[2000cs]

I’ve read quite a bit of philosophy/philosophers but I think all one really needs to know is contained in this short piece:

[Maynard]

Hedonist.

[haagm58]

@MKSixer

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by haagm58

@MKSixer

Thanks for thinking about me. If I could sum up my ideals in a several pieces of literature it would be the following:

Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius

If
by Rudyard Kipling

Invictus
William Ernest Henley

Galahad
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sorry my super nerd-ism is emerging but there it is...

[haagm58]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Thanks for thinking about me. If I could sum up my ideals in a several pieces of literature it would be the following:

Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius

If
by Rudyard Kipling

Invictus
William Ernest Henley

Galahad
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sorry my super nerd-ism is emerging but there it is...

Most excellent selections, I appreciate the input!