Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers

“A must-read for anyone interested in practical philosophy.”―Donald J. Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

Navigate the challenges of modern life, with ancient and time-tested Greek and Roman thinkers at your side.

“A refreshing example of a too-rare form of self-help, in which the goal isn’t success or happiness but becoming a better human being.”―The Wall Street Journal

What is a good life? And how can we create that life in a world filled with uncertainty? Beyond Stoicism invites you to find your own answers to these big questions with help from thirteen of the most prominent Greco-Roman philosophers―many of whom inspired, or were inspired by, the Stoics. By taking cues from the lives and ideas of the Cynics, Epicureans, and others, you’ll learn to:

• Seek pleasure with Aristippus 
• Strike the right balance with Aristotle 
• Focus on what’s up to you with Epictetus
• Be a rebel like Hipparchia
• Embrace uncertainty with Carneades
• Question everything with Socrates
• Work toward a just society with Plato
• And much more

Times have changed, but the quest for eudaimonia―a life worth living―stays the same: We still seek pleasure and crave love, avoid pain and fear death. That’s why all these ancient sages can continue to guide us, practicing Stoics and new seekers alike. 

With exercises to help you test-drive each philosophy today

Publisher’s Note – Errata: The first printing of Beyond Stoicism duplicates page 188 on page 118. Readers may download page 118 at the Beyond Stoicism page at theexperimentpublishing.com.

Massimo Pigliucci is the K. D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He has written for publications such as The New York Times, TheWashington Post, TheWall Street Journal, Philosophy Now, and The Philosophers’ Magazine, among others. Pigliucci is the author or editor of sixteen books, including the bestselling How to Be a Stoic and most recently The Quest for Character. He is the coauthor with Gregory Lopez of A Handbook for New Stoics.

Gregory Lopez is a practicing secular Buddhist and Stoic, founder of the New York City Stoics, cofounder and board member of the Stoic Fellowship, cohost of Stoic Camp New York, and on the team at the Modern Stoicism organization. He has published essays on Stoicism in the Stoicism Today blog and in The Philosophers’ Magazine. He is the coauthor with Massimo Pigliucci of A Handbook for New Stoics.

Meredith Alexander Kunz is a writer, editor, and communications professional who has worked in journalism, higher education, and the technology industry. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Daily Journal, and The Industry Standard. Since 2016, she has published the Stoic Mom blog, exploring the many ways that caregivers and children can benefit from practicing Stoic life philosophy. She is a contributing editor for The STOIC magazine, has written for the Stoicism Today blog, given invited talks at national and regional conferences, and been interviewed on podcasts and NPR-affiliate radio. She also hosts The Philosopher’s Compass, a podcast dedicated to exploring Stoic ideas in everyday life.