A wide-ranging philosophical and practical guide to incorporating the wisdom of ancient philosophers into daily modern life.

How can I live a good life? Who do I want to become? And how do I get there?

These are some of life's biggest questions. But they can be hard to think through. Fortunately, a group of philosophers from ancient Greece and Rome have already done a lot of the heavy lifting. Drawing on the philosophies, life lessons and experiences of key thinkers, Live Like a Philosopher will help you navigate these existential waters with invaluable insights for modern life.

From finding balance with Aristotle and embracing uncertainty with Carneades, to avoiding pain with Epicurus and learning how to question everything with Socrates, this is a powerful toolkit to help you navigate the highs and lows of modern life. Organized around three main themes of pleasure, character, and doubt, there's something to learn from each master in this philosophical quest. Live Like a Philosopher is the helping hand we all need to make life better.

A must-read for anyone interested in practical philosophy -- Donald J. Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
A remarkable combination of a very wide-ranging survey of ancient philosophical approaches with guidance on applying them in practice today -- Christopher Gill, Emeritus Professor of Ancient Thought, University of Exeter and coauthor of Stoic Ethics: The Basics
A great introduction to the rich variety of philosophical schools in the ancient world, bringing them to life by inviting readers to test them out and compare them for themselves. Everyone should find something to inspire them in this wealth of ancient wisdom -- John Sellars, author of The Pocket Stoic and The Pocket Epicurean
A much-needed bridge between ancient wisdom and modern research. This book can help you better understand complex philosophical ideas, so that you can apply them in your life. A practical guide toward a happier, healthier, and calmer life -- Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Happier, No Matter What
A fine book that offers a rich and diverse perspective on ancient philosophy -- Walter J. Matweychuck, PhD, REBT psychologist
Live Like a Philosopher introduces readers to the vast variety of philosophies practiced as ways of living in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. This book is a veritable smorgasbord of substantive philosophical treats that can be sampled at each reader's preferred pace. -- Gregory Sadler
As a comprehensive and practical guide to ancient wisdom, this book is in a class of its own. I recommend it with enthusiasm. -- A.A. Long, author of Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life
Live Like a Philosopher has everything you could want from a book of practical philosophy . . . it's perfect for all the curious seekers out there who want to know, question, and test philosophical ideas for themselves. -- Brittany Polat * Stoicism for Humans *
A refreshing example of a too-rare form of self-help, in which the goal isn't success or happiness but becoming a better human being. * Wall Street Journal *
The wisdom of the early Greco-Roman philosophers comes alive in Live Like a Philosopher, making their inquiries relevant and accessible for today's audience, helping each of us create our own unique blueprint for a meaningful life. -- Sharon Salzberg author of Real Life
Refreshing, engaging, and thought-provoking, Live Like a Philosopher is a welcome addition to any Stoic library. Pigliucci, Lopez, and Kunz invite readers to expand their horizons by placing Stoicism (which focuses on character) within a broader framework that also embraces the importance of pleasure and the value of doubt. Far more than just an educational guide on different philosophies of well-being, Live Like a Philosopher opens readers' eyes to the vast richness of thought that exists beyond Stoic principles. The authors inspire and challenge: Stoicism is powerful but so are other philosophies. Why not enrich our lives by embracing a wider vision? -- Dr. Chuck Chakrapani, editor of The Stoic Gym Journal and Distinguished Visiting Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
An engaging and illuminating journey through ancient philosophical thought that encourages the reader to incorporate those philosophies into their own lives. I'm excited for the impact Live Like a Philosopher will have on its audience. -- Matthew Van Natta, author of The Beginner’s Guide to Stoicism
Live Like a Philosopher offers an inspiring guide for those eager to articulate and practice a personal philosophy of life. Becoming acquainted with the wisdom traditions of key Greek and Roman philosophers on whose shoulders we stand, we can thereby wisely elevate our moral and practical efforts toward lives of dignity and meaning. -- Sharon Lebell, author of The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness
A valuable addition to the practical philosophy literature, ideal for modern Stoics who are curious about other sources of ancient wisdom. Especially valuable are the practical exercises for each philosophy, which the reader can try out as experiments in living. I'll be recommending Live Like a Philosopher to all therapy clients and colleagues who are interested in reading an accessible and engaging introduction to ancient practical philosophy. -- Tim LeBon, director of research for Modern Stoicism and author of 365 Ways to be More Stoic
This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants not only to learn about the ancient Greek and Roman philosophies of life but wants to 'test drive' these philosophies by living in accordance with them for a time. As a result of these experiments, you might decide to adopt one of these philosophies, or you might combine ideas from several to create a philosophy that is tailor-made for your life and circumstances. Either way, you will be taking an important step toward optimizing the one life you have to live. -- William B. Irvine, Professor Emeritus, Wright State University
It takes more than intelligence to write intelligently on the subject of philosophical wisdom. The confident and inspiring voices of this trio of seasoned writers illuminate multiple schools of thought with clarity and engaging exercises. Excavating practical ideas on how we can live more fulfilling lives, Live Like a Philosopher shines a light on how selected philosophies can teach us about the art of living. I'm buying two copies, one for each eye. -- Karen Duffy, New York Times bestselling author of Model Patient, Backbone, and Wise Up

Massimo Pigliucci (Author)
Massimo Pigliucci is the K. D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He has written for publications such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Philosophy Now, and The Philosopher's Magazine, among others. He is the author or editor of 16 books, including How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.

Gregory Lopez (Author)
Gregory Lopez is a practicing secular Buddhist and Stoic, founder of the New York City Stoics, co-founder and board member of The Stoic Fellowship, co-host of Stoic Camp New York, and on the team at the Modern Stoicism organization. He has published essays on Stoicism in the Stoicism Today blog and in The Philosopher's Magazine, and has given several invited talks on Stoicism to groups ranging from small Unitarian congregations to over a thousand people at Stoicon 2020. He is the co-author with Massimo Pigliucci of A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control

Meredith Alexander Kunz (Author)
Meredith Alexander Kunz is a writer, editor, and communications professional who has worked in journalism, higher education, and the technology industry. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Daily Journal, and The Industry Standard. Since 2016, she has published The Stoic Mom blog, exploring the many ways that caregivers and children can benefit from practicing Stoic life philosophy.