How to Do the Right Thing: An Ancient Guide to Treating People Fairly

How to Do the Right Thing draws on the principles of ancient Stoicism to help readers navigate how to treat others fairly and mercifully, emphasizing the importance of calm and clear thinking, judging oneself fairly, and cutting people slack with a bias toward mercy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

There are instances when we have all felt that we have not received the treatment we deserve, that we have been misjudged, shortchanged, or dealt a raw deal. And, at some point, other people have probably felt that we have treated them unfairly as well.

How to Do the Right Thing draws on the principles of ancient Stoicism as articulated by the Roman statesman and philosopher Seneca to help readers better navigate one of the most important practical questions of daily life—how to do right by others.

Starting from the virtue of magnanimity—the opposite of small-mindedness—How to Do the Right Thing draws together lessons from Seneca's writings that stress the importance of calm and clear thinking, of judging oneself fairly before judging others, and of cutting people slack, with a bias toward mercy—all delivered in crisp and lively new translations, and with the original Latin on facing pages.

Seneca's writings emphasize the significance of exercising caution and sound judgment, of assessing oneself impartially before passing judgment on others, and of granting others leniency, with a preference for compassion—all presented in clear and engaging new translations, accompanied by the original Latin on facing pages.

By incorporating these principles into our daily lives, we can strive to treat others with fairness and mercy, and to live by the highest ethical standards.

Weight: 294g
Dimension: 124 x 179 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691238647