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A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death and Stoicism

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A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death and Stoicism

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Overview

Stoicism offers rationally grounded, proven psychological techniques for the gradual development of consistent self-mastery, and emotional detachment from those elements of the human condition that tend to cause the most pervasive and unsettling forms of fear, anxiety, and avoidable disquiet. In the essays in A Life Worth Living, William Ferraiolo examines what it means to incorporate Stoicism into 21st century life, adapting classical Stoic philosophy for the modern day. 'William Ferraiolo’s new book represents an essential contribution to all who struggle with living a meaningful life.' Eldon Taylor, Ph.D, New York Times bestselling author of Choices and Illusions

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789043044
Publisher:	Hunt, John Publishing
Publication date:	02/01/2020
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,122,497
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

William Ferraiolo received a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma in 1997. Since then, William has taught philosophy at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. A practicing Stoic, Ferraiolo has published numerous articles in a variety of professional and academic journals. His first book, Meditations on Self-Discipline and Failure was published by O-Books in 2017. He lives in Lodi, CA.

Introduction 1

The IDEA Method: Stoic Counsel 3

Stoic Anxiolytics 14

Stoic Simplicity: The Pursuit of Virtue 25

Stoic "Harm" as Degradation 35

Free Will, Determinism, and Stoic Counsel 37

God or Atoms: Stoic Counsel With or Without Zeus 47

Stoic Counsel for Interpersonal Relations 58

Death: A Propitious Misfortune 68

Roman Buddha 77

Chigurh's Coin: Karma and Chance in No Country for Old Men 99

Eternal Selves and The Problem of Evil 112

Resistance Is Futile: Stoic Counsel About "Externals" 122

The Humble Agnostic Shrugs 130

Hilbert's Hotel, the Multiverse, and Design 140

Divine Fiat and Blind Obedience 151

Stoic Suicide: Death Before Dishonor 161

References 171

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Editorial Reviews

12/23/2019
Ferraiolo (Meditations on Self-Discipline and Failure), philosophy professor at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., argues that stoicism can help negotiate most modern ills in this wide-ranging, quirky work. To make the case, he presents the ancient Greek school of thought through the writings and reflections of slave Epictetus and emperor Marcus Aurelius, encouraging readers to take up stoicism as a life plan for peace and tranquility regardless of one’s circumstances. Centered on cultivating virtue and living in harmony with reason—and being indifferent to the twists and turns of pleasure and pain—stoics, Ferraiolo writes, take the world as it comes and do not seek to govern what is not within their power. This, Ferraiolo argues, is the only means of staying sane in a world that is so often out of control. Straightforward, practical, and level-headed (as one might expect from a stoic), Ferraiolo’s counsel is convincing. Most intriguing are his discussions about how stoicism does not require belief in a deity and about suicide being a perfectly moral choice to make in the face of a life not worth living. Unfortunately, the text often wanders off topic, with chapters featuring the author’s musings about, for instance, Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men, multiverse theory, and the “problem of evil.” Despite this, those interested in using philosophy for self-help will enjoy Ferraiolo’s ode to stoicism. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

I loved this book, A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death, and Stoicism, a no nonsense read depicting just what it takes to apply Stoicism in life fearlessly. Powerful and empowering!

George Bradley

How should we live?” “What is a good life?” These questions are as relevant today as they were in Ancient Greece or the cosmopolis of the Roman Empire. The rapid pace of change in contemporary life leaves all of us struggling to make sense of who we are, and how to be happy.
William Ferraiolo’s new book, A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death, and Stoicism, is a serious contribution to the contemporary struggle to answer timeless questions. Rigorous but accessible, Ferraiolo’s essays will challenge both the professional philosopher as well as persons from all walks of life who think seriously about the value of their lives. Like his earlier work, Meditations on Self-Discipline: Stoic Exercise for Mental Fitness, Ferraiolo’s new work represents a successful attempt to adapt classical Stoic Philosophy to the 21st Century in an accessible idiom unique to all his work.

Dr. Barry F. Vaughan

William Ferraiolo’s new book, A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death, and Stoicism, represents an essential contribution to all who struggle with living a meaningful life. The counsel and alternative perspectives offered are practical, pragmatic, and comforting.
Life has a way of delivering hardship of one form or another to all, but the suffering that typically follows is often unnecessary. Using Ferraiolo’s guidance, one gains the frame of reference that minimizes the hardships in life while maximizing the many wonderful and miraculous opportunities that come from living.
I have highly recommended Ferraiolo’s earlier book, Meditations on Self-Discipline and Failure, but I think his new work is even better. Don’t miss a chance to gain a new personal freedom—be sure to read A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death, and Stoicism!

Eldon Taylor

In these chaotic times I always look for fresh perspectives to help reframe my and my patient's worldview. In this case the philosophy may not be fresh, but the perspective certainly is. Dr. Ferraiolo makes Stoicism tangible as he offers meditations on its applicability to anxiety, grief, relationships, and God. This wisdom mixed in with enjoyable examinations on No Country for Old Men and other asides makes this work something I'll return to again and again.

Ryan Engelstad

A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death and Stoicism

A Life Worth Living: Meditations on God, Death and Stoicism

Paperback

Paperback

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Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews

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Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

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Customer Reviews