In 'Conspiracy', Ryan Holiday chronicles the intricate and ambitious plot by Peter Thiel to take down Gawker Media. The book is based on interviews with key players and delves into the strategic and philosophical underpinnings of Thiel's actions. It examines the intersection of power, privacy, and free speech in the digital age, highlighting the ruthless and brilliant tactics employed by Thiel. The narrative transcends a simple tale of a billionaire vs. a media empire, offering insights into the broader implications for culture and society.
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
In this book, Massimo Pigliucci provides an introduction to Stoic philosophy, updating it for a contemporary scientific worldview. The book is divided into three main sections, focusing on the disciplines of desire, action, and assent. Pigliucci uses personal anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate how Stoic principles can be applied to everyday challenges, such as managing emotions, making moral decisions, and coping with life's uncertainties. The book emphasizes the distinction between what is within our control and what is not, and offers practical exercises to integrate Stoic practices into daily life.
This extensive work, written in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, provides historical accounts and biographical sketches of prominent Greek philosophers. It divides Greek philosophy into two main schools: the Ionian, from Anaximander to Theophrastus, and the Italian, from Pythagoras to Epicurus. The text includes insights into the thoughts, contributions, and contexts of these philosophers, making it a crucial source for the history of Greek philosophy. Despite its value, the work is often criticized for its lack of critical evaluation of sources and focus on trivial details.
The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
In *The Quest for Character*, Massimo Pigliucci delves into the story of Socrates and Alcibiades to explore whether good character can be taught. Drawing on ancient sources and modern interpretations, Pigliucci examines the cultivation of character, virtue, and personal excellence, offering lessons on how to lead an excellent life.
Ryan speaks with Professor Massimo Pigliucci about his new book The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders, what Alcibiades’s magnetism and lack of moral compass can teach us about what we look for in leaders today, the tension between being virtuous and being pragmatic, and more.
Massimo Pigliucci is Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York, the former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, the originator of Neoskepticism, and an advocate and popularizer of Stoicism. He wrote a viral piece in The New York Times called How to Be a Stoic as well as two books on Stoicism titled How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life and A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control a Stoic handbook. He also explores Stoic philosophy on his podcast Stoic Meditations.
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