Stoicism can easily be misread as pessimistic because of its relentless focus on mortality and fragility. But its core message – contained in songs spanning generations – is profoundly empowering.
Stoic philosopher Epictetus tells us not to worry about things we can’t control, prepare for the unexpected and slow down on the judginess. This is great lockdown advice over 2,000 years later.
Narratives throughout history illustrate how pandemics make people grapple with their faith, leading them to deepen religious beliefs or reject them altogether.
From human suffering to political chicanery to environmental degradation, the tide of bad news, blared in headlines every day, seems overwhelming. One poet and classics scholar asks: What can be done?
The best sort of life would include both happiness and meaningfulness. Although one sometimes has to choose between these two values, one ought to strive for a life in which there’s plenty of both.