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/lit/ - Literature

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16052109 No.16052109 [Reply] [Original]

Can I just go straight into the Stoics. How essential is it that I have any sort of Plato/Aristotle background.

I'm totally just doing this in a hope to find some sort of way to cope with being unhappy. I'm sure that's not the right view for most of you to go into this with. But honestly I'm at the point where I'd try anything to just even dull this a little.

>> No.16052130

>>16052109
Stoics can be a starting point. They are thematically and intellectually independent of each other. I do recommend Plato after you've read the stoics.

My suggestion is Epictetus>Seneca>Aurelius
in that order.

>> No.16052136

Read Enchiridion by Epictetus first.
It is short an succinct, gives background info for pretty much any other classical stoic.
Anyone who tells you you need Aristotle's full works is a liar.
Even if you disregard my advice you'll be fine.
Easy to understand philosophy and a beautiful one, enjoy OP.

>> No.16052138

>>16052130
Yeah this, whenever you're ready to start learning philosophy start w plato/Aristotle

>> No.16052148

>>16052109
You don't need any preliminary reading imo to start with the stoics, enjoy!

Seneca>Epictetus>Aurelius

>> No.16052152

I am >>16052136
This guy has the optimal order imo >>16052130

>> No.16052155

>>16052148
As in, Seneca is the best read although Epictetus is the most systemic of the three. Aurelius is highly overrated, imo

>> No.16052162

>>16052109
The Republic in its self is a beautiful book for learning ones place in the world, and how in an ideal society, every man has his place. It is our job in an imperfect society, where the strong share beggars homes with the smart, to find it.

>> No.16052176
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16052176

>>16052109
>Can I just go straight into the Stoics
For a shortened trip through the basics, I recommend these podcasts
https://historyofphilosophy.net/

> I'm totally just doing this in a hope to find some sort of way to cope with being unhappy.
Study the stoics if you like, but don’t neglect the good Epicurean methods
https://youtu.be/hBWDIzHldPg

>> No.16052235

Plato is unbelievably important, but you won’t find this out till later.

>> No.16052259

They're pretty damn approachable, maybe epictetus a little less so. You don't have to read things in strict historical order its just more efficient.