Introduction to StoicismDiploma Course

The Introduction to Stoicism Diploma Course begins by going back to the foundation of Stoicism. You’ll first be introduced to Zeno of Citium, the philosophy’s founder, before reviewing the history of Stoicism and some of the philosophy’s key subscribers, including Cleanthes, Cato the Younger, Seneca and Epictetus.

From this introduction, you’ll dive deep into the foundation that underpins the entire Stoic system of philosophy. You’ll gain a Stoic understanding of physics, logic and ethics, and the core disciplines that are derived from them, and how to use this knowledge to improve your everyday life.

The four virtues that the Stoics believed were essential to understanding your true self are covered in the Introduction to Stoicism Diploma Course. You will be led through an exploration of the good, the bad and what the Stoics deemed, the ‘indifferent.’ You will also learn about appropriate and ‘perfect’ acts, as well as the idea of the ‘wise man,’ and what he represented to the Stoics.

The course details the Stoic approach to love, including sexual love, relationships and self-love, and introduces the concept of apatheia and how it was necessary for a life of eudaimonia.

You’ll explore the considerations that ancient Stoics gave to money when contemplating how to lead a happy life. These include noting whether extreme wealth is considered good or evil and how some of the richest Stoics reconciled their riches with the ideals of a simple life.

The Introduction to Stoicism Diploma Course explains what is meant by ‘the rational mind’ so that you have a starting point in understanding how our thoughts are at the very essence of our being and how the body is used as a tool to nourish and enhance the mind.

Following that you will be introduced to specific Stoic exercises and strategies that are built around best practices to achieve calmness of spirit and clarity through thought. Further to this, the course explains how to apply Stoic principles and strategies to get more out of life. You’ll also learn why friendship is an important part of being a Stoic and how Stoics approach death and grief.

The course concludes with exercises that will aid you in bringing the practice of Stoicism into your everyday life.

By the end of the course you will:

• Be more familiar with the work of the main ancient Stoics
• Understand what it means to live in accordance with nature
• Be aware of the three main fields of learning and the disciplines derived from them
• Comprehend the Stoic concept of eudaimonia, and other key concepts including determinism, apatheia, and indifference
• Know what the Stoic virtues are
• Have an understanding of Stoicism’s central practices including applying logic, staying in the present moment, gratitude for what is, and accepting what you can and cannot control
• Know what is meant by Memento Mori and how the Stoics practised it
• Be confident that you can apply Stoic exercises and principles to your own life