Kai Whiting - Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living in

An engaging and lively introduction to Stoicism as guidance for living. Being Better makes excellent use of ancient and modern figures to exemplify important features of Stoic practice. The book is also effective in highlighting the Stoic basis for social and political action and environmental responsibility, as well as for emotional resilience.

Christopher Gill, University of Exeter

Being Better is a practical introduction to Stoicism that mixes modern scholarship with ancient sources in a rigorous yet accessible way. The book deftly threads the needle of Stoic theory and practice. The authors engage the reader through thoughtful questions while painting vivid pictures of Stoic lives, both ancient and modern.

Gregory Lopez, founder of New York City Stoics, cofounder of the Stoic Fellowship, and coauthor of A Handbook for New Stoics

Kai and Leos deep understanding of Stoic wisdom, combined with their determination to create a harmonious world, led to this beautiful book. Being Better will push the odds in your favor.

Jonas Salzgeber, author of The Little Book of Stoicism

Stoic philosophy is undergoing a modern revival because it teaches us how to live calm and tranquil lives in an often crazy world beyond our control. While covering the basics of Stoicism, Being Better is a beautifully written book that also focuses on another crucial dimension of Stoic philosophy: how we as individuals can contribute to the world as a whole. Today, this includes improving society, as it did for Stoics in the past. But it also includes maintaining the health of our living planet, on which all life depends.

David Fideler, editor of Stoic Insights

Being Better takes us on the journey of Stoicism and personal transformation traveled by Zeno of Citium thousands of years ago, but it does so in a way that will seem very relevant and timely to readers facing modern-day problems.

Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

Being Better is an innovative way of teaching ancient Stoic principles to a new generation. I believe now, more than ever, these principles can help transform a culture of compliance-based students into one of problem-solving citizens.

Don Wettrick, founder and CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation

Being Better is a gentle and clear introduction to living a Stoic life. It is like no other introductory book on Stoicism: it does not promise you the moon, it does not preach, and it does not even tempt you with the best life only a better one. If you want to live like a Stoic in the modern world without having to update Stoicism, Being Better is for you. In this short book, the authors bring to life ancient Stoic principles with modern examples. Their examples include many non-Stoic practitioners of Stoic principles, such as Pat Tillman, Rosa Parks, Alex Zanardi, and Nick Hanauer. It is surprising that the authors could cover so much ground in so few pages and yet be so clear. I think it is one of the best introductions to modern Stoicism.

Dr. Chuck Chakrapani, editor of The Stoic magazine, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University, and author of Unshakable Freedom

Do you want to live a life worth living? Try Stoicism. Do you want to try Stoicism? Read Being Better and let it be your guide.

Massimo Pigliucci, author of A Field Guide to a Happy Life

Kai and Leonidas vividly present the power and promise of the Stoic way of life and its profound relevance to the issues we face today. They gather a chorus of timeless insights and questions from Zeno, Cleanthes, Musonius, and others that challenge us to discover well-being, not only for ourselves but for those around us, too. Highly recommended!

Stephen Hanselman, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Lives of the Stoics, The Daily Stoic, and The Daily Stoic Journal

The timeless lessons of Stoicism are more relevant than ever. In a time of disorder, Being Better is just what we need to bring them to light.

Chris Guillebeau, author of The Money Tree and The $100 Startup

Being Better shows why Stoicism is the go-to philosophy for our time. Kai Whiting and Leo Konstantakos give a splendid account of the ancient Stoic teachers and their relevance to such issues as communal living and sustainability. Their book stands out for its sincerity and its exploration of what it means to cultivate Stoic virtues here and now.

Anthony Long, Professor Emeritus of Classics and Literature at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of Epictetus: How to Be Free An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life

Copyright 2021 by Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Text design by Megan Colman

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Whiting, Kai, author. | Konstantakos, Leonidas, author.

Title: Being better : stoicism for a world worth living in / Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos.

Description: Novato, California : New World Library, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: Explains the ethical principles of the ancient Greek philosophy known as Stoicism and shows how it can change our understanding of contemporary issues such as environmental sustainability, social justice, and global capitalism-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020054852 (print) | LCCN 2020054853 (ebook) | ISBN 9781608686933 (paperback) | ISBN 9781608686940 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Stoics. | Conduct of life.

Classification: LCC B528 .W49 2021 (print) | LCC B528 (ebook) | DDC 188--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020054852

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020054853

First printing, April 2021

ISBN 978-1-60868-693-3

Ebook ISBN 978-1-60868-694-0

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

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To all the Stoics who trod the path before me, to those who walk alongside me, and to those of you who will follow in my footsteps.

Kai

To Marian Demos, who saw the life of a Stoic as nearly unattainable and then faced illness, pain, and death like one.