Stoicism / Philosophy - where can I learn more?

For me it's often as simple as using wikipedia and just following links and seeing where they lead. If someone catches my interest then i'll look into them a bit more, and then move on.

I listen to In Our Time every week on Radio 4, often they will be talking about philosophy and it's origins, worth a listen - it's probably on listen again.

Happy, by Derren Brown.

Basically a whistle-stop tour of how philosophy might help a person to be happier (also attempts to address the thorny question what that might mean).

Loads of stuff on the Stoics, of whom he's a big fan.

Accessible, compassionate and enjoyable.

I really enjoyed The Consolations of Philosophy - Alain de Botton I think.

I enjoyed Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder which attempts to explain the history of philosophy through a novel. It's been a while since I read it though.

Ha, I've got a copy of that De Botton book, I picked it up ages ago from a charity shop and can't remember if I ever read it, I'll did that back out!‎

In Our Time

Brilliant program.

I would encourage you to look not just at stoicism but beyond. Plato republic is good. I listened as a audio book, very listenable. Lots of these books are available for free as audio books. Also looking up cynicism and Diogenes. Skim over these subjects and dive in deeper when something grabs you.

"Then and now" is a very good YouTube channel. Good in-depth videos.

Shorter form Einzelgänger is a good channel lots of stoic ideas.

School of life has some brief overviews of several philosophers.

From a different angle Toa Te Ching has similarities to Stoicism, but from a eastern pov.

Currently going through Siddharth. Very good.

Some of the existentialists are interesting. The stranger. Is worth a listen/ read as is the outsider.

Philosophy is a beautiful rabbit hole. The thing is you can appreciate an idea without agreeing and it is just as important to keep a questioning mind with all of it and not let anyone become your "religion". The questions arrive from not assuming anything. Constantly question your own knowledge and assumptions.

Spinoza is interesting, as is Hegel, Heidegger will bend your mind (I need to go back to him it's tough).

Also the book / audio book I always recommend. Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance

Thanks TB, Diogenes has come up a number of times in Philosophise this, there are a few others I need to get back to too, I'll take a closer look those you've mentioned - just looking for good sources at the moment

It might be a bit too intro/basic for you but fwiw I thought this was an interesting podcast, good for a longer drive -

https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/william-irvine/

there's also this one but I've not listened to it yet

https://fs.blog/knowledge-project-podcast/ryan-holiday-2/

I was similar with some books on Eastern philosophies, the concepts are interesting but often presented in a way that's hard to take in - I'm not about to live in a cave for 2 years seeking the true way, just looking for help to have better thought processes. The Knowledge Project has some good podcasts, smart people. It may be 75% of it's not so relevant but there's some real gems of clear thinking in there.

I follow Ryan Holiday on insta more as a reminder than anything, I don't mind him but he seems to be the self chosen marketing man for Stoicism at the moment!

Thanks for the links, will have a listen.

I was similar with some books on Eastern philosophies, the concepts are interesting but often presented in a way that’s hard to take in – I’m not about to live in a cave for 2 years seeking the true way

I think it's worth looking at Eastern philosophy but there's an easier translation from Greeks as it's the basis for our western society (if you're western and grew up in the western culture).

I am enjoying the works of Euthymol at the moment, especially first thing in the morning and before bed. Very refreshing

Philosophize this podcast Stephen west

From a different angle Toa Te Ching has similarities to Stoicism, but from a eastern pov.

Interesting. I listened to that stoicism podcast with William Irvine and thought there were similarities, though I found the Tao very conceptual or 'loose'.

I think it’s worth looking at Eastern philosophy but there’s an easier translation from Greeks as it’s the basis for our western society (if you’re western and grew up in the western culture).

That makes sense.. good point.

If you are into podcasts then History of Philosophy without any gaps tries to do what it says on the tin although is from the western philosophy viewpoint.
Its still ongoing I think up to about the 1600s now (I am a tad further behind). The author has started a couple of additional series for non western philosophy working with specialists in those fields.
I think you do need to be a bit careful with Stoicism since it has been trendy recently with various people jumping on bandwagons.

A remarkable overview of the history of philosophy if you don't mind a modern format is the Youtube series of recorded lectures by John Vervaeke titled "Awakening From the Meaning Crisis", it consists of 50 episodes each an hour long. It is well regarded (being proper academic level philosophy not the modern-media-mickey-mouse type) and the amazing thing if you manage to sit through all of it is that you have close to the equivalent of terms worth (maybe more) of philosophy degree lectures of a very high quality, that you can watch at home for free. It was quite a hit during lockdown while people were sat at home questioning what's the point. It works well in this format because his presentation style is good... and its easy to rewind the bits that sail far over the cranium.

Thanks all! Some good stuff to get stuck into!

Well done for discovering Marcus Aurelius “Meditations” - profound in so many ways

This School of Life YouTube video on Why Stoicism Matters by Alain de Botton I found is presented in bite size videos in clear language which is accessible to all

I find myself revisiting many of the popular videos in the series, and at different stages of my life, and for me they are always enlightening

https://www.youtube.com/@DailyStoic

I think there was a similar thread a year or so back,may have ideas too.

If you genuinely want to be come more stoic, I'd suggest taking up teaching.

Heidegger will bend your mind (I need to go back to him it’s tough)

Heidegger's the end of game boss, but when you crack him, you realise Eastern philosophy covered a lot of his themes in a much simpler way.

I did a philosophy degree.

The stoicism bit was a big help when considering my career prospects after.

That is all, apart from to say it's probably worth getting a popularised history of philosophy book to give yourself an overview and see what you're interested in exploring further.

I wouldn't always recommend reading the primary texts as a self-guided thing.

I did a philosophy degree.

I will have a quarter pounder with fries and diet coke, thanks.

+1 for Sophie's World & Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

The trouble with stoicism is that it can be a trap to doing nothing.  So take from it what you will, but beware the full pack

The foundational texts for any scholar:  https://existentialcomics.com/

Attempt at a direct link 🤞

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Just stop NOW. Isn’t this Zuckerberg’s alleged inspiration?

Soon you’ll be reading Jordan Peterson and you’ll disappear down the nazi rabbit hole.

Edit. You might want to try philosophy for dummies or a Coursera, edX, or OU philosophy course.

https://dudeism.com/

Also interested, consider this my Bookmark...

I thought this was good.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1846046386?maas=maas_adg_0B775F324365720979920354F9A14A24_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas&gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkVXCAk5ffDPSFneVFAh0GF099hci4_bSeus2OogPpCblA_mLIr-4RRoCq5gQAvD_BwE

Man's search for meaning by Victor Frankl.

I read it in one sitting as it is only short and, I thought, engaging. Quite harrowing content at times.

Star Trek the Next Generation covers a lot of philosophical ground.

I found this book really good, it's not really about Buddhism but more ethical principles and understanding human nature.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancient-Wisdom-Modern-World-Millennium/dp/0349112541/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3011BFNPVWPP5&keywords=ethics+for+the+new+millennium&qid=1693054394&sprefix=ethics+for+a+new%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-2

Have read Mans search for meaning, found it useful.

This is an excellent resource:

https://1000wordphilosophy.com/