Learning to Live Naturally: Stoic Ethics and its Modern Significance

This book explores Stoic ethical claims and their significance for modern moral theory, discussing happiness as the life according to nature, virtue as expertise in leading a happy life, ethical development, and how Stoic ethics can contribute to contemporary virtue ethics. It also examines key sources for Stoic ethics, including Cicero's On Ends and On Duties, making it accessible to readers of different kinds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In the midst of a surging fascination with Stoicism among scholars and the broader public, this book presents a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental ethical principles and their profound implications for modern moral theory. The first section delves into the Stoic notions of happiness as aligning with nature and virtue as the mastery of living a fulfilling life, while also examining the senses of nature (both human and universal) that are pertinent to ethics. The second section examines Stoic thought on ethical development, highlighting the interconnectedness between growth in ethical understanding, the formation of social relationships, and emotional responses. The third section discusses how Stoic ethics, as interpreted herein, can contribute to contemporary moral theory, particularly virtue ethics. It suggests that Stoic thinking on the virtue-happiness relationship presents a compelling alternative to Aristotle, currently the primary ancient prototype for virtue ethical theory, and explores how Stoic ideas on human and universal nature can enrich modern ethical debates, particularly in addressing the urgent challenge of climate breakdown. Furthermore, the book underscores the value of Stoic guidance for virtue ethics as well as contemporary life-guidance. A distinctive aspect of this work is the extensive and detailed study of key sources for Stoic ethics, including Cicero's On Ends and On Duties, which empowers readers of various backgrounds to interpret these sources for themselves.

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 241 x 162 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198866169