Stoic Ethics: The Basics

At a time of unprecedented interest in Stoicism, this book offers a comprehensive introduction to Stoic ethics for students and for listeners interested in Stoic life-guidance.

It combines an explanation of the main philosophical ideas in ancient Stoic ethics by Christopher Gill with discussion of how to put these ideas into practice in our own lives by Brittany Polat.

The first seven chapters examine central Stoic ethical claims and the questions raised by their claims, including: Why does our happiness in life depend solely on virtue? Is ethics grounded on nature; and, if so, does this mean human nature or the natural world? What is the connection between gaining ethical understanding and relating properly to other people? What counts as right action and how do we make good decisions? What is the proper place of emotion in the good life?

The final chapters discuss the significance of Stoic ideas for modern thought, especially for virtue ethics and environmental ethics, and the Stoic contribution to guidance on living.

Stoic Ethics is an ideal starting point for anyone looking for an accessible and lively explanation of Stoic ideas and their implications for practical living.

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Release date

Audiobook: 2 June 2026