What is stoicism and how can it help us manage a life crisis? A doctor and professor of philosophy, Massimo Pigliucci faced a critical juncture with the death of his father and undergoing a divorce. He looked to the ancient philosophers for answers and discovered “virtue ethics,” an approach to life that advances human improvement through the development of values.

“Stoicism tries to eliminate destructive emotions as much as possible while cultivating the positive ones. The Stoics concluded that a good human life is that in which we apply reason in order to improve society. If we improve as people, we will be improving society; and if we work to improve society, we will automatically be improving ourselves,” the professor explains.

Massimo Pigliucci is a doctor of genetics, evolutionary biology, and philosophy, which is what he teaches as a professor at City College of New York and writes about on his blog, How to be a Stoic. His notable works include A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control and How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.