A Stoic Conversation with Dr. John Sellars: Stoicism Rediscovered Beyond the Buzzword

Aug 25, 2025

Dr. John Sellars, a leading scholar in Stoicism and a Reader in the History of Philosophy at Royal Holloway, shares his insights on the enduring relevance of Stoicism. He clarifies common misconceptions about the philosophy, including the ideas that it's unemotional or for men only. The conversation delves into his personal journey with philosophy, emphasizing the balance between ego and ambition. Sellars also discusses the appeal of ancient ethics in today's world, the impact of community on mental health, and the intriguing complexities of Stoic beliefs about determinism and divinity.

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INSIGHT

Keep A Big-Picture Perspective

Adopt a 'big picture' perspective to keep petty problems and ego in proportion.
Seeing yourself as one among billions reduces self-centeredness and improves judgment.

INSIGHT

Bridge Popular And Academic Stoicism

Popular Stoicism focuses on ethics while academic Stoicism long emphasized logic and physics.
Bridging those strands reveals the full depth of Stoic thought and practice.

ADVICE

Choose Stoic Resources That Join Theory And Practice

If you want a reliable introduction, choose carefully and prefer works that join theory and practice.
Update your resources as scholarship advances to avoid outdated or simplistic views.

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Welcome to the Via Stoica Podcast, The Podcast on Stoicism.

In this episode of The Via Stoica Podcast, Benny speaks with Dr. John Sellars, one of today’s leading scholars of Stoicism and the history of philosophy. Dr. Sellars is Reader in the History of Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, Associate Editor for the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series at King’s College London, and a founding member of both Modern Stoicism and the Aurelius Foundation. He has authored and edited numerous works, including Stoicism (recently revised), Stoicism and Emotion, and The Cambridge Companion to Marcus Aurelius.

Our conversation traces Dr. Sellars’ journey from his early fascination with science and politics to his lifelong study of ancient philosophy. We explore how the Stoics carried forward the legacy of Socrates in a way that feels both practical and deeply human, and why their materialist, empiricist outlook resonated more with him than Plato’s metaphysical idealism. Dr. Sellars reflects on how philosophy has shaped his own life, from changing his views on free will to cultivating a “big picture” perspective that keeps ego and ambition in check.

The discussion ranges widely: from common misconceptions about Stoicism, such as that it is unemotional, politically disengaged, or only for men, to the role of community in mental health, and the tension between Stoic determinism and ideas of God, providence, and nature. We also dive into Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, examining why the book endures, how Marcus grappled with death and difficult people, and why we should see him not as a perfect sage but as a flawed human being struggling to live well.

Dr. Sellars also shares insights into his ongoing projects, including new research on Stoicism and leadership (with Justin Stead of the Aurelius Foundation), and his work with psychologists at Royal Holloway testing Stoic practices in peer-reviewed studies on resilience, anxiety, and anger.

Whether you are new to Stoicism or looking to go deeper into its history and modern applications, this episode offers both scholarly depth and practical wisdom for living a good life.

You can find Dr. Sellars’ books, including the revised edition of Stoicism and The Cambridge Companion to Marcus Aurelius, through major booksellers. To learn more, visit the Aurelius Foundation or the Center for the Study and Application of Stoicism at Royal Holloway.

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