Philosophy Course: Introduction to Stoicism

Explore Stoicism and the art of living well with our philosophy short courses online and in Sydney!

What does it mean to live a good life? How should we respond to uncertainty, adversity, and success?

Stoicism—one of the most influential philosophical traditions of the ancient world—offers a rigorous and practical framework for addressing these enduring questions. Originating in the fourth century BCE, it has seen a renewed surge of interest in recent years, not as a passing trend, but as a philosophy capable of speaking meaningfully to contemporary life.

Developed by thinkers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, Stoicism combines ethical inquiry with psychological discipline. It challenges us to examine our assumptions, refine our judgement, and distinguish clearly between what is within our control and what is not.

In this course, you will engage closely with the ideas, texts, and historical context of the Roman Stoics, while also considering how their insights might be applied in a modern setting. Rather than offering quick answers, Stoicism invites careful reflection—encouraging us to cultivate reason, resilience, and a measured response to the complexities of life.

Designed to be both intellectually engaging and practically relevant, this course provides a structured introduction to Stoicism as a philosophy of life.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Philosophy of Stoicism course, you will have explored concepts and techniques such as:

• The historical development of Stoicism and the reasons for its contemporary revival
• The lives and philosophical contributions of key Stoic thinkers
• Core Stoic concepts, including virtue, reason, and the nature of a flourishing life
• The Stoic “psychological apparatus,” including the dichotomy of control and the testing of impressions
• Ways to interpret and apply Stoic ideas in a modern context

Course content

What is covered in this Philosophy of Stoicism course?

During the course, participants will work with concepts and ideas such as:

Week 1: What is Stoicism?

• Reason and virtue in a complex world
• Influences: Socrates, Heraclitus, and Diogenes
• Founders: Zeno of Citium, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus
• The development of Stoicism from ancient Greece to the present
• The tripartite structure: physics, logic, and ethics

Week 2: The Stoic worldview

• The cardinal virtues: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom
• Amor fati and acceptance
• Preferred and dispreferred indifferents
• Eudaimonia, apatheia, and ataraxia
• Techniques: negative visualisation and the “view from above”

Week 3: Seneca

• Life and influence in imperial Rome
• Key writings, including Letters to Lucilius
• Stoicism in the context of power and political life

Week 4: Musonius Rufus

• The “Roman Socrates” and his teachings
• Stoicism as a philosophy of everyday practice
• The egalitarian dimensions of Stoic thought

Week 5: Epictetus

• From slavery to philosophical authority
• Discourses and the Enchiridion
• The dichotomy of control

Week 6: Marcus Aurelius

• The philosopher-emperor in a time of crisis
• Insights from Meditations
• The idea of the “inner citadel”

Week 7: Twilight and renewal

• Stoicism and early Christian thought
• The Neo-Stoics of the Renaissance

Week 8: Modern Stoicism

• Contemporary interpretations and applications
• Key modern thinkers including William B. Irvine, Donald Robertson, Massimo Pigliucci, and Ryan Holiday
• Further avenues for study

Content may vary slightly depending on class pace, participant interests, and instructor approach.

Intended audience

Who is this Philosophy of Stoicism course for?

This course is suitable for anyone interested in philosophy, ethics, and the practical application of ideas to everyday life.

No prior background in philosophy is required—just curiosity and a willingness to engage with complex ideas.

Course Venue

Online via Zoom

Zoom details will be emailed to you with your enrolment confirmation

Requirement: A device with a stable internet connection

Course Materials

What to bring to class

• A notebook and pen
• Recommended readings (provided by the tutor)
• A willingness to engage, question, and reflect

Learning Resources

All materials will be provided by the tutor via email throughout the course.

Additional information

What's next?

If you’ve enjoyed exploring Stoicism, you may wish to continue your philosophical journey with our range of philosophy short courses, which examine different schools of thought and approaches to living well.

For those interested in going deeper into the ancient world that shaped Stoic thinking, you might also consider our Classical Latin courses—offering the opportunity to engage more closely with the language, literature, and intellectual traditions of ancient Rome.