The Stoic Approach to Happiness | David Shiner | First Friday Lecture

Given how the word "stoic" is used nowadays, it might come as a surprise that the ancient Stoics believed that the goal of human life was to be happy. Their conception of happiness, however, differed significantly from many if not most present-day views on the subject. This lecture will focus on who the Stoics were, what they meant by happiness, and how they thought happiness could be achieved. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome, First Friday introduction, and program announcements 00:05:10 The apparent paradox of Stoic happiness 00:07:14 Zeno, the origins of Stoicism, and the early Greek school 00:12:00 The Stoic garden: logic, nature, and ethics 00:19:52 Passions, healthy emotions, and equanimity 00:23:33 Happiness, virtue, and living according to nature 00:33:44 Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius 00:40:36 What is and is not in our power 00:46:04 Stoicism and the human community 00:49:17 Death, gratitude, and freedom from fear 00:53:26 Modern Stoicism: revival, therapy, and public figures 00:59:26 An example of stoic equanimity 01:03:45 Q&A begins 01:04:09 Q&A – Stoic logic and the "rational cosmos" 01:07:25 Q&A – Stoicism, Buddhism, and Christianity 01:09:51 Q&A – entitlement, wealth, and happiness 01:13:23 Q&A – social conscience, class, slavery, women, and ancient criticism 01:20:58 Closing thanks and applause About the Speaker David Shiner is Professor Emeritus at Shimer College (now the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College), where he taught for 40 years and served several terms as Dean of the College. At Shimer Professor Shiner taught all 16 required courses on subjects as distinct as literature, chemistry, psychology, and politics. He has also taught at other colleges as well as at Great Discourses, an online provider of high-quality noncredit courses. He has written on the dialogues of Plato, the philosophy of the French Enlightenment, game theory, economics, and paradox. His non-academic activities include chess, acting, musical performance, and sports. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from Pacific Miramar University. He has a special interest in classics, especially classical philosophy. About the Basic Program The First Friday Lecture series is presented by the Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults. The Basic Program is a four-year certificate program for intellectually curious learners who want to read and discuss the Great Books in a serious, welcoming community. Through close reading and weekly conversation, students engage works of literature, philosophy, history, and social thought by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Dante, Shakespeare, de Tocqueville, Woolf, and Morrison—guided by outstanding instructors, with no prerequisites, tests, papers, or grades. Offered online and in person, the program invites adults from all backgrounds to deepen their thinking and join a lifelong community of readers. Learn more at https://graham.uchicago.edu/program/basic-program-of-liberal-education/ About Graham The Graham School brings the best of the University of Chicago to lifelong learners seeking discovery and discernment. Through programs in the Great Books, the liberal arts, and advanced leadership, we welcome learners who seek to deepen their understanding of the world and lead examined lives of purpose. Learn more at https://graham.uchicago.edu