Massimo Pigliucci's Blog, page 2

Five Roman myths—part I

The Author’s class back in elementary schools. The teacher is Mrs. Darmond, he is in the front row (seated), third from the left. Photo by who knows who.

When I was in elementary school, between the ages of six and ten (I skipped first grade, so I was there only four years), I had an absolutely wonderful teacher, Mrs. Darmond (of French origins). She was initially skeptical about my joining her classroom in second grade, worried about taking a chance on an unknown quantity and how I would fit wit...

Practice like a Stoic: 51, Pay attention to the right things

Paying attention, by Midjourney.

[This series of posts is based on A Handbook for New Stoics—How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control, co-authored by yours truly and Greg Lopez. It is a collection of 52 exercises, which we propose reader try out one per week during a whole year, to actually live like a Stoic. In Europe/UK the book is published by Rider under the title Live Like A Stoic.Below is this week’s prompt and a brief explanation of the pertinent philosophical background. Check the boo...

Books that Matter: the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius, bust at the Baths of Diocletian, Rome. Photo by the Author.

[The course is now available from The Teaching Company. You may also be interested in checking out my previous course for the same outlet: Think like a Stoic—Ancient Wisdom for Today's World.]

One day, about 18 centuries ago, a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders wrote some notes to himself in a journal. He wrote about becoming a better man. How should he act? What would a truly good life look like? How did ...

Einstein, Stoic?

Einstein sticking his tongue out, from https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/albert-einstein-tongue-1951/, original photo credit by Arthur Sasse.

I’ve been into Einstein, of late. Some time ago I published an essay on his epistemology, which I think is perfectly sensible and ought to be taken seriously by both scientists and philosophers, not to mention everyone else. I then read (and briefly reviewed) the very good biography by Walter Isaacson. (Also check out Isaacson’s biography of Benjamin Frankli...

Practice like a Stoic: 50, Decompose your difficulties

Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Altenberg, Austria. Photo by the Author.

[This series of posts is based on A Handbook for New Stoics—How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control, co-authored by yours truly and Greg Lopez. It is a collection of 52 exercises, which we propose reader try out one per week during a whole year, to actually live like a Stoic. In Europe/UK the book is published by Rider under the title Live Like A Stoic.Below is this week’s prompt and a brief explanation of the pertinent ph...

Suggested Readings

A line of climbers attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest, from Wondering Freely.

Against bucket lists. This picture shows a line of climbers attempting to reach the summit of Mount Everest. It now resembles a line at a Disney attraction, except that you are cold, on your feet for many more hours and that you could die. Being in the line is rough. People yell at less experienced climbers who lose their footing and don't get smoothly ahead. Better guard your oxygen bottles, or they will b...

Video: Quintus Curtius on translating Cicero

Welcome to another entry in our occasional series of video chats with authors and translators who have written about the philosophy, culture, and history of the Greco-Roman tradition.

In this episode I talk to George Thomas, aka Quintus Curtius, who has devoted a lot of time and effort to generating new translations of the superb Roman statesman, public advocate, and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero.

George has published original, annotated translations of Cicero’s Tusculan Disputations, On Dutie...

Practice like a Stoic: 49, Speak just the facts about others

Drinking at an ancient Roman taberna, by Midjourney.

[This series of posts is based on A Handbook for New Stoics—How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control, co-authored by yours truly and Greg Lopez. It is a collection of 52 exercises, which we propose reader try out one per week during a whole year, to actually live like a Stoic. In Europe/UK the book is published by Rider under the title Live Like A Stoic.Below is this week’s prompt and a brief explanation of the pertinent philosophical backg...

Some updates about The Philosophy Garden

Temple of Hephaestus at Athens, photo by the Author.

Dear Readers,

Sorry to bother you with an additional email, and during a weekend nonetheless! But I made a few changes to the structure and delivery of The Philosophy Garden you may want to be aware of.

To begin with, after we finish the current “Stoic practice” series (last entry scheduled for march 31st) we will move to the following publishing schedule, fate permitting:

A long-form essay on Mondays, to get your week going

A lighter entry on Wedn...

Let’s talk about (biological) sex—part II

Philosophy and biology, by Midjourney.

Summary: This second part of a two-part essay dives deeper into why some philosophers want to get rid of the concept of biological sex in science. They point to examples like all-female lizard species that reproduce without males, suggesting these exceptions make the whole concept shaky. The real kicker comes halfway through when the philosophers reveal their main concern: they worry that the biological concept of sex is being misused to discriminate against...