William Stephens, professor of philosophy and classical and Near Eastern studies, had his book, Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed, published by Continuum Books this past January.
Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed is an introduction to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Aurelius’ one major surviving work, often titled “meditations” but literally transited simply as “to himself,” is a series of short reflections divided into 12 books and apparently only to be read by him. For these reasons, Aurelius is a particularly difficult thinker to understand. His musings, framed as “notes to self” or “memoranda” are the exhortations of an earnest, conscientious Stoic burdened with the onerous responsibilities of ruling an entire, enormous space.
For more information or to purchase the book, click here.
In addition, Stephens’ book, Stoic Ethics: Epictetus and Happiness as Freedom, received a positive review by Scott M. Rubarth of Rollins College in the Bryn Mawr Classical Review. Stoic Ethics is an English translation of Adolf Bonhöffer’s Die ethic des Stoiker Epictet. To read the entire review, click here.
GO TO THE
RESEARCH STUDY
