Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience

Stoic Wisdom by Nancy Sherman offers a modern Stoicism that teaches grit, resilience, and the importance of close relationships in addressing life's challenges. It reveals that Stoic methods of examining beliefs and perceptions can help us correct distortions and build resilience through our deepest relationships.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In times of stress and uncertainty, finding calm and coping with sudden losses can be challenging. However, the wisdom of ancient philosophers such as Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and others offers valuable insights for navigating these difficult times. Nancy Sherman's book, Stoic Wisdom, presents a modern Stoicism that emphasizes grit, resilience, and the importance of close relationships in addressing life's biggest and smallest challenges.

Sherman, a renowned expert in ancient and modern ethics, explores how Stoic methods of examining beliefs and perceptions can help us correct distortions in what we believe, see, and feel. She reveals a profound insight about the Stoics: they never believed that rugged self-reliance or indifference to the world around us is at the heart of living well. Instead, they emphasized the importance of connection and cooperation with others as a means of building resilience and goodness.

In her book, Sherman brings ancient ideas to bear on 21st-century concerns, from workers facing stress and burnout to first responders in a pandemic, from soldiers on the battlefield to citizens fighting for racial justice. She shows how Stoicism can help us fulfill the promise of our shared humanity and live well in the face of adversity.

Stoic Wisdom is organized into nine lessons that combine ancient pithy quotes with daily exercises and contemporary ethics and psychology. Each lesson offers practical strategies for cultivating mindfulness, self-control, and compassion, helping readers to navigate the challenges of modern life with greater resilience and wisdom.

Through her book, Sherman encourages readers to embrace the Stoic philosophy and apply its teachings to their lives. She emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, accepting the things we cannot control, and developing a sense of gratitude for the blessings in our lives. She also encourages readers to cultivate close relationships with others and to seek out opportunities for service and community engagement, which can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives.

In conclusion, Stoic Wisdom provides a compelling and practical guide for finding calm and coping with stress and uncertainty. By drawing on the wisdom of ancient philosophers and applying their teachings to contemporary concerns, Nancy Sherman offers readers a valuable tool for living well and fulfilling the promise of our shared humanity. Whether you are facing personal challenges or are interested in exploring ancient philosophy for its insights into modern life, Stoic Wisdom is a must-read for anyone seeking wisdom and guidance in navigating the challenges of life.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 151 x 219 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197501832