David Fideler

Author, Educator, and Publishing Professional

I’ve studied ancient religions and philosophies, the history of science, and hold a PhD in philosophy and intellectual history. Yet in modern times, most philosophy has become a dead way of looking at the world. But it wasn’t always that way. For the ancient Greeks — like Socrates, Plato, and the Stoics — philosophy was a journey rooted in friendship. It was a way of traveling together, to discover deeper truths about the world and about our own human nature. Throughout my work, I’ve attempted to build bridges between the world of learning and modern life — and to extend these ancient ideas of learning and knowledge into the present. Please join me on this journey and in these conversations.

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Philosopher's Notes on David Fideler's Books

LockedPhilosopher's Notes

Breakfast with Seneca

by David Fideler

I got this book immediately after seeing Tom Morris’s strong recommendation of it in his new book Stoicism for Dummies. It’s FANTASTIC. I can still *vividly* remember reading his Letters from a Stoic nearly 25 years ago (on a boat in the Mediterranean!) not too far from where Seneca wrote the letters 2,000 years ago. This book is now one of my all-time favorite books on Stoicism. It made me fall in love with Seneca. In fact, as you know if you’ve been following along, I’ve often said that Epictetus is my favorite teacher and Aurelius is my favorite leader but... Seneca is a fascinating blend of BOTH of their BEST qualities. I think he’s now my favorite Stoic. The book is PACKED (!) with Big Ideas. We’ll barely scratch the surface of its wisdom before we run out of space/time but I’m excited to share some of my favorites so let’s get to work!

Quotes by David Fideler

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Then there’s another dimension to Seneca’s work: he has one of the best writing styles of all times, and encapsulates his thoughts in pithy, epigrammatic lines like: ‘Our lack of confidence does not result from difficulty; the difficulty comes from lack of confidence.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson loved to read Seneca too, and even imitated his style.

David Fideler

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One of my favorite Stoic ideas is that everything we have, or believe that we possess, is just ‘on loan’ from the universe. Everything. And one day, all those things will need to be returned.

David Fideler

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Of course, it is required that we benefit others—many if possible, but if not, a few; and if not a few, then those nearest to us; and if not those nearest, then ourselves. For when we make ourselves useful to others, we engage in public service.

David Fideler

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As we’ve seen, the stereotype of Stoics being cold and unfeeling just isn’t true. The Stoics, in fact, took love and affection to be the primary human emotion. ... Because of this, it’s no exaggeration to say that Stoic ethics are ultimately based on love.

David Fideler

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If people with unhealthy characters surround us, the first and most crucial step is to escape their presence. ‘A large part of sanity,’ Seneca explains, ‘consists of letting go of those who encourage insanity and getting far away from a companionship that is mutually harmful.’ The second step is to surround ourselves with people who have good characters, even if it’s a tiny group or a single person. That’s because virtuous people can influence us just as strongly as vicious people, but in reverse.

David Fideler