Prof. Nancy Sherman is a New York Times Notable Author and Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University.

Her most recent book is Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience (2021). Other books include Afterwar, The Untold War (a NYT editors’ pick), Stoic Warriors, Making a Necessity of Virtue, and The Fabric of Character. Sherman lectures internationally on ancient philosophy, military ethics, moral injury, and the emotions. 

Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience was rereleased in paperback June 1st and is now available. (Oxford University Press)

Highlights

* We’re part of a larger humanity, the Stoics view this as a cosmos.

* There exists within us a profound sense of resilience, a belief that we can be invincible, impervious to any challenge that comes our way. However, the true essence behind the Stoics penning their wisdom lies in their understanding of our inherent vulnerability.

* “The Stoics give us amazing resources for being able to ask ‘Was my judgement of what happened out there and my emotional response to it—anger, fear, desire, distress—grounded? Was I attached to the correct values?’”

* Fast thinking, when not used for survival, can be caused out of habits of personal bias that we’re not even aware of.

PAC would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Adam Piercey of Modern Stoicism for hosting, conducting, and providing this interview.

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