Stoicism

Build Your Own Stoic Curriculum

A Structured Approach to Deepening Your Understanding and Practice

11 min readMar 31, 2023

Life is full of twists and turns, and we all face unexpected challenges that can throw us off. Whether it’s a major setback like losing a job or a painful breakup, or even just a tough day, it can be hard to stay centered and find peace amidst the chaos. But that’s where Stoicism comes in, providing a practical framework to get you through the tough times.

At its core, Stoicism is a practical philosophy that teaches us how to live a virtuous life based on reason and logic, even in the face of adversity. By focusing on what is within our control or “up to us”— things like our attitude, actions, and values — we can learn to navigate life’s challenges with more clarity and purpose.

Of course, this is just a brief overview of Stoicism. If you’re new to the philosophy, you may be wondering where to start. Check out my other post here for a deeper dive into some of the core tenets of Stoic philosophy.

But for those who have already embraced Stoicism, I want to hear from you! What advice would you give to someone just starting out? How has Stoicism helped you find peace and purpose in your own life? Share your insights in the comments below — your words of wisdom could be just what someone needs to take the first steps on their own Stoic journey.

And if you’re curious about exploring Stoicism further, there’s never been a better time to dive in. With so much Stoic content available online and in print, you’re sure to find plenty of resources to help you along the way.

However, determining which content to engage with can be difficult. That's where I come in. I’m going to help you navigate the sea of content and find the materials that you need to get the most out of this great philosophy.

Too Much Content

Stoicism has exploded in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the accessibility of information through social media and the works of talented authors like Ryan Holiday, Massimo Pigliucci (Philosophy as a Way of Life), and Donald J. Robertson, who take ancient ideas and transpose them into content that is more accessible. But with so much information out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. Trust me, I’ve been there.

That’s why I’ve come up with a simple method for getting the most out of your Stoic resources. With these easy steps, you’ll be able to turn even the densest Stoic reading into practical, actionable insights that you can apply to your daily life. No more drowning in Stoic content!

While there are plenty of Stoic reading lists available online, I’ve found that many of them fall short. They may be too basic, lacking structure or guidance on where to begin and how to progress. Some focus solely on the practical applications of Stoicism, while others only cover the theory. As someone who has found Stoicism to be a powerful tool for navigating life’s challenges, I believe it’s essential to learn and understand both.

That’s why I’ve carefully curated a comprehensive Stoic study technique that ensures you get both practical guidance and a deep dive into the foundational concepts of Stoicism. By following this method of reading, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Stoic philosophy and become a better practitioner of its teachings.

My goal is to provide you with a valuable framework that helps you sift through the mountains of Stoic content available and select the works that will give you the most bang for your buck. So if you’re ready to take your Stoic practice to the next level, let’s dive in!

From Reading to Understanding

In his insightful blog post about reading, Ryan Holiday offers 13 tips that can help readers make the most out of their curriculum. I highly recommend reading his post and utilizing his tips to enhance your Stoic curriculum. Holiday’s final tip suggests joining a reading program to eliminate the guesswork of selecting what to read. By following my framework, you can check off that box!

The main takeaway from Ryan is stated succinctly in one quote:

It is not enough that you read, it’s how you read.

Step one, categorizing your books.

The first step to mastering your Stoic reading list is to categorize your books based on their focus. Trust me, it makes a world of difference.

Introduction: These are books that give you a crash course on Stoicism, books that claim to be an introduction to the philosophy; or a book that is a short overview of the core Stoic beliefs. (e.g., How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci)
Academic: The nitty-gritty details of Stoic theory. Books that focus on the three fields of Stoicism (physics, logic, and ethics) or the three disciplines (desire, action, and assent); or history books about who the Stoics were. (e.g., Stoicism by John Sellars, Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman)
Stoic Texts: The ancient works or collections of works of the great Stoic philosophers themselves. (e.g., Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Letters on Ethics by Seneca)
Practical: These books are the most common, the books that show you how to apply Stoicism in your everyday life. (e.g., Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In by Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos)

Determining a category can be a bit of a puzzle, especially when you stumble upon a book that just doesn’t seem to fit neatly into one of the four categories.

If you’re scratching your head and struggling to place a book, don’t worry! You can use my reading list as a guide, or read some reviews to help you figure out where to place those tricky titles.

Just remember that everyone has their own unique perspective, so what may seem like a practical read to you might feel super technical to someone else. With a little practice, you’ll soon become a book-categorization pro and be able to navigate your shelves with ease!

Note: For a more tailored Stoic curriculum, you can take the categorization one step further by labeling the Introduction and Stoic Texts categories as practical (P) or theoretical/academic (A) works. Take a look at the image below to see what I mean. While you might be a bit intimidated to subcategorize the primary Stoic texts, remember that most Stoic philosophers wrote in an academic style, but some are more practical than others. For instance, Epictetus tends to be more technical and academic, while Marcus Aurelius is more practical. When in doubt, throw it in the academic pile and move on!

Step two, what to read?

This is where the real fun begins! It’s time to choose your Stoic reading material. But before you start diving into ancient texts, take a deep breath and consider this: while many Stoic reading lists suggest jumping right into the “primary texts” (what we have categorized as the Stoic texts), it’s not always the most effective way to learn about Stoicism.

Let’s face it, these books were written over two thousand years ago and can be a bit daunting to understand. It’s like trying to learn about cars from a factory service manual for a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. Not exactly the most effective way, right?

So instead, I suggest starting with newer books written by modern authors who break down Stoic concepts and relate them to ideas you’re already familiar with. By doing so, you can gain a better understanding of the philosophy and then dive deeper into the primary texts to truly engage with their meaning.

Thankfully, we’ve already divided the books into four categories. Now it’s time to have some fun! Build your customized curriculum by choosing one book from each category. If you’re new to Stoicism or short on time, feel free to use any of my examples below or books from my list. But if you want a more tailored experience, think of it as a Stoic choose your own adventure!

Maybe you want to focus on Stoic theory and choose a more academic book from the introduction category, a dense primary text like Epictetus’s Discourses, and an academic pick like The Cambridge Companion to the Stoics. Then finish off the series with a practical guide like The Practicing Stoic by Farnsworth.

Or perhaps you want to focus on a specific philosopher, like Seneca. Start with A Guide to the Good Life by William Irvine, which is a Seneca-heavy introduction to Stoicism. Then move on to On Anger by Seneca himself. Add some history with Lives of the Stoics, focusing on the life of Seneca, and finish with a great practical guide like Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living by David Fideler.

Remember, this is your journey. Have fun with it and create a curriculum that speaks to you! And if you used the subcategories from step one, you can customize your curriculum even more. The world is your oyster.

Note: In this post, I only mention books, however, this process works as well with all forms of Stoic content e.g., academic journals, articles, blogs, talks, videos, etc.

Step three, read and discover the magic!

Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-improvement and discover the ancient wisdom of the Stoics? It’s time to crack open those books!

You should have one book from each category in front of you.

Now you just have to remember the mnemonic I Am a Stoic in Practice (I.A.S.P) — Introduction, Academic, Stoic Texts, and Practical — and read your books in that order to get the most out of them.

Start with an engaging introduction to get you excited and eager to learn more. Then, challenge yourself with some academic works to really deepen your understanding. Once you’ve got a good grasp on the core concepts, it’s time to explore the Stoic texts themselves and gain insight into the minds of the great philosophers. Finally, wrap it all up with a practical guide that helps you apply what you’ve learned to your own life.

But remember, motivation is key! If you feel yourself getting bored or burnt out, don’t be afraid to switch things up. Try reading something lighter or more practical, dive into a related topic, or throw in some fiction, even switching to a different medium (audiobooks, videos, etc.) can help. The key is to stay engaged and interested in the content. Just remember to keep the I Am a Stoic in Practice mantra in mind and stick to the order as best as you can. Who knows, maybe you’ll even become a Stoic master by the end of it!

Here are a few examples of how you can structure your curriculum.

Example 1. The Newbie

Introduction: Stoicism and The Art of Happiness by Donald Robertson (A)
Academic: Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
Stoic Texts: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (P)
Practical: Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday

Example 2. The Time Crunch

Introduction: A Very Short Introduction: Stoicism by Brad Inwood (A)
Academic: Lessons in Stoicism by John Sellars
Stoic Texts: The Manual by Epictetus (P)
Practical: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Example 3. The EPICtetus

Introduction: How to Be a Stoic by Masimmo Pigluicci (A)
Academic: Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life by A.A. Long
Stoic Texts: Discourses, Fragments, Handbook by Epictetus (A)
Practical: The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life by Massimo Pigliucci

Example 4. Marcus Mania

Introduction: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald Robertson (P)
Academic: Marcus Aurelius by John Sellars
Stoic Texts: Marcus Aurelius Mediations: The Annotated Edition edited by Robin Waterfield (P)
Practical: The Inner Citadel by Pierre Hadot

Example 5. The Social Warrior

Introduction: Stoic Wisdom by Nancy Sherman (P)
Academic: A New Stoicism by Lawrence C. Becker
Stoic Texts: On Duties by Cicero (A)
Practical: Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In by Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos

Continuous Learning

These examples provide a great starting point for your Stoic curriculum. By following the I Am a Practicing Stoic roadmap, you’ll be able to navigate the complex waters of Stoicism and transform your life for the better.

But remember, this is just the beginning. Your journey will be unique, and it’s important to tailor your reading list to fit your interests and goals. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, this framework can be used time and time again to keep your knowledge and understanding fresh.

As you progress on your journey, it’s crucial to take a step back and reflect on your growth. Are you living in accordance with the Stoic principles you’ve learned? Are you becoming a better version of yourself? Are you deepening your understanding of the philosophy? If not, don’t be discouraged. Stoicism is a lifelong practice that requires continuous effort and practice.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things as you delve deeper into the philosophy. You may find that some works speak to you better than others, and that’s okay. The beauty of the I Am a Practicing Stoic framework is that it’s flexible and can be adapted to fit your individual needs and circumstances.

And why stop at Stoicism? I encourage you to broaden your horizons and explore other schools of thought. By exposing yourself to different philosophies, you’ll gain inspiration and fresh perspectives that will enrich your own personal philosophy of life. Plus, it’s a great way to cultivate empathy and understanding for the diverse people you encounter every day.

But the ultimate goal of Stoicism is not just to acquire knowledge but to live a virtuous life. That’s where the real magic of Stoicism lies. So keep practicing, keep growing, and keep striving to be the best version of yourself. The world needs more practicing Stoics like you. Good luck on your journey!

I have just finished Massimo Pagliucci’s new book The Quest for Character (after completing the first draft of this post). It was fascinating to see how his self-guided approach to reading philosophical texts aligns with the I Am a Practicing Stoic framework. It’s reassuring to know that even the experts in Stoic philosophy advocate for this type of approach to deepening your understanding of the philosophy and applying it to your life.

In fact, Pagliucci’s categories for reading philosophical texts come from John Sellars’ The Art of Living, which I haven’t read yet but will definitely add to my reading list. It’s always exciting to discover new resources to continue my own journey toward becoming a better Stoic in practice.

But ultimately, what’s most important is that this approach can work for anyone, regardless of their level of expertise in Stoicism. As long as you are committed to continuous learning and practice, the I Am a Practicing Stoic framework can help you develop a well-rounded understanding of Stoicism and its applications to your life. So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today!

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