Can ancient Stoicism help us face today’s crazy world? In this episode of The Focus, Dr. John Bruni speaks with philosopher Prof. Massimo Pigliucci on how Stoic principles offer clarity, resilience, and meaning in an age of rage, war, and misinformation.

We also explore real Stoicism vs. “Broicism,” and how to apply timeless wisdom to modern crises.

🎧 Watch now on The Focus with John Bruni.

SHOW NOTES

🔗Connect with Massimo

Substack: https://substack.com/@figsinwintertime?utm_source=top-search

City College, New York: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/profiles/massimo-pigliucci?srsltid=AfmBOorpDgfdOTs_fokK4iIJL2Zbnen_-EoVL-yFbnzvsgs8G9pi2WKU 

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massimo_Pigliucci 

Top Books on Stoicism:

The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life (2020)

A Handbook for New Stoics (2019)

How to Be a Stoic (2017)

Top five articles on Stoicism:

• “Did the Stoics Get Their Theory of Beauty Wrong?”

• Published: November 11, 2023
• Overview: Pigliucci explores whether ancient Stoic theories on beauty hold up today, drawing from his Stoicon 2023 presentation. Modern Stoicism+15Modern Stoicism+15Modern Stoicism+15

• “Updating Epictetus and Stoicism for the 21st century”

• Published: December 19, 2020
• Overview: A reflection—and partial update—on Epictetus’ Enchiridion, arguing for modern adaptation in his later book A Field Guide to a Happy Life. goodlisten+5Modern Stoicism+5colabstaging.co.uk+5

• “Minimalism Is Not Enough”

• Published: February 2, 2019
• Overview: Pigliucci pushes back against oversimplified Stoicism, emphasizing that logic and physics must remain part of the practice—not only ethics. Modern Stoicism+14Modern Stoicism+14Wikipedia+14

• “Do People Commit Evil Out of Ignorance?”

• Published: November 25, 2017
• Overview: Based on his Stoicon 2017 talk, Pigliucci examines Epictetus’ view that wrongdoing often stems from deluded thinking rather than true malevolence. Modern Stoicism+4Modern Stoicism+4Modern Stoicism+4

• “Why not Stoicism?”

• Published: 2013
• Overview: A foundational piece outlining the enduring relevance of Stoicism’s three pillars—ethics, logic, physics—for modern life.

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Previous Episodes with Massimo:

https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/a-stoics-take-on-modern-celebrity-the-rise-of-rogan-peterson-the-role-of-social-media/

https://sageinternational.com.au/the-focus/on-stoicism/