Person
Every book Massimo Pigliucci recommended on podcasts
Massimo Pigliucci engages deeply with ancient philosophy, particularly Stoicism, as evidenced through his appearances on the Modern Wisdom podcast. He offers listeners profound insights into how classical texts can be practically incorporated into daily life to navigate modern challenges. During his discussions, Pigliucci frequently highlights foundational Stoic works, such as the Enchiridion, pointing out its opening lines and noting how incorporating its teachings can genuinely transform a person's life. He also discusses historical context, mentioning how the Enchiridion served as a training manual for Christian monks throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Additionally, Pigliucci mentions Boethius's The Consolation of Philosophy as the first selection for an upcoming meetup book club he organized. Beyond ancient works, Pigliucci brings attention to contemporary and related scholarly contributions. He discusses a book by his friend and colleague Larry Baker concerning a modernized approach to the Stoic system, as well as a text authored by Brian Johnson, a colleague at Fordham University, which explores Epictetus's role ethics. Furthermore, Pigliucci references correspondence and writings by Seneca, including letters written to his friend Lucilius and a letter of consolation to Marcia, illustrating the rich historical dialogue surrounding Stoic philosophy. Through these podcast conversations, Pigliucci demonstrates a commitment to making ancient wisdom accessible, practical, and relevant for contemporary seekers of a meaningful and well-examined life.
Books recommended by Massimo Pigliucci
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On the Shortness of Life
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca is a classic Stoic philosophical essay that examines the perception of time, mortality, and the human tendency to squander life on trivial pursuits.
Discussed“This is he actually says so explicitly in a letter of consolation that he writes to his friend marsha who had lost an adult son”
Where to get it
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Arrian: Anabasis Alexandri, books V-VII ; Indica
Arrian: Anabasis Alexandri, books V-VII ; Indica by Arrian preserves the historical campaigns of Alexander the Great alongside geographical and ethnographic observations of India.
Recommended“um for instance if if you pick up the first the very opening of the anchor reading uh it says some things are up to us other things are not up to us”
Where to get it
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Arrian's Voyage round the Euxine Sea
Arrian's Voyage round the Euxine Sea by Arrian is a historical geographical account detailing a maritime journey around the Black Sea by the second-century Greek historian and administrator.
Recommended“and if you actually if if you get anything other than caridion or of the field guide the new the new version that would be it if you just get that one and incorporate it into your daily life that's just just that one is going to change things for you”
Where to get it
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The Consolation of Philosophy
The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius is a classic philosophical work written while the author awaited execution, exploring the nature of fortune, happiness, and divine providence.
Recommended“is the consolation of philosophy by beau Asia's not to be confused with the consolations of philosophy plural by the bottom right”
Where to get it
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A New Stoicism
A New Stoicism by Lawrence C.
Discussed“the thing my friend and colleague larry baker who wrote a new stoicism uh did a similar thing with the entire stoic system”
Where to get it
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It's a God Thing
Discussed“the thing my friend and colleague larry baker who wrote a new stoicism uh did a similar thing with the entire stoic system”
Where to get it
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Meditations
Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is a foundational work of Stoic philosophy that records the personal reflections and spiritual exercises of the Roman emperor.
Discussed“or Marcus Aurelius meditations and and Senecas writings yeah that's that's amazed”
Where to get it
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Moral letters to Lucilius
Moral letters to Lucilius by Seneca is a collection of philosophical epistles written by the prominent Roman Stoic thinker to his friend Lucilius, addressing virtue, mortality, and the art of living well.
Discussed“seneca actually writes explicitly it's like look he writes a beautiful letter to his friend lucillus and he says look my friend the people that came before us are not our masters”
Where to get it
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The consolations of philosophy
Discussed“is the consolation of philosophy by beau Asia's not to be confused with the consolations of philosophy plural by the bottom right”
Where to get it
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The Discourses of Epictetus
The Discourses of Epictetus by Epictetus is a foundational Stoic text compiled by his student Arrian, offering profound lessons on personal freedom, morality, and resilience.
Discussed“then throughout the middle ages and renaissance the encouridion was actually re-written and updated several times because it was used as a triangle as a training manual for tranwall is a new word that i just invented a training manual for christian monks right”
Where to get it
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The Lives of Brian
Discussed“this comes out of what is sometimes referred to as epictetus role ethics uh there's a wonderful book about just about that aspect of stoicism over the patriarchs philosophy by brian johnson who is a colleague of mine at fordham university and he wrote a book on the rolatex of epicurus”
Where to get it
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THE PLAGUE
THE PLAGUE by Albert Camus is an existentialist novel chronicling a devastating epidemic in an Algerian city and exploring human solidarity, suffering, and the absurdity of existence.
Discussed“one of the best-selling books is canoes the plague not surprisingly right”
Where to get it
Books Massimo Pigliucci wrote
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Stoic Guide To A Happy Life - Massimo Pigliucci - #239 | Modern Wisdom | 2020-10-31 | 8 |
| 5 Exercises From Stoicism To Improve Your Life - Massimo Piggliuci - #170 | Modern Wisdom | 2020-05-14 | 5 |
Other mentions (6: passing, ad reads, own books)
“we might as well just keep on talking about stoicism the stoic the stoic guide to a happy life 53 brief brief lessons for living why'd you write this”
“how to be a stoic the first book that I wrote about was amiss been published in Japan and Korea and China”
“you know in a book that I co-edited recently called how to live a good life there's a chapter on epic Uranus”
“so here's called a handbook for for new study I think in UK the title is living like a stoic or something like that”
“how to be a stoic is my earlier book and it's it's more comprehensive it includes a historic theory a little bit of history”
“there is a new one coming out in September and it's called a field guide to a happy life to be happy life”