In person lecture followed by a question-and-answer session and reception.

Registration

The event is open to all students and Alumni.

What do a Roman emperor’s private journal, a medieval monk’s prayer book, and a modern recovery program have in common? They all draw from a remarkable dialogue between two ancient traditions: Stoic philosophy and Christian spirituality. This talk explores the surprising connections between these influential ways of life, inquiring into how early Christian thinkers like Paul and Augustine drew from Stoic wisdom, why medieval monasteries preserved the works of pagan philosophers, and how practices developed 2,000 years ago continue to offer practical guidance for modern living. From the Apostle Paul’s letters echoing Stoic themes to the famous Serenity Prayer’s roots in ancient Greek philosophy, this is a fascinating story of intellectual exchange that shaped Western thought. Whether we are interested in history, philosophy, spirituality, or simply practical wisdom for daily life, there are fresh insights to be found into how these ancient traditions continue to speak to contemporary challenges.

The Wyant Lecture Series features speakers in the humanities, history, and the arts selected in consultation with the Wyant Professor. The Wyant Endowed Professorship was established by the late Louise Doherty Wyant ’63 and her husband, Dr. James Wyant, in honor of Sister Anne Cyril Delaney, SNDdeN. Sister Anne Cyril was a professor of English at Emmanuel for 26 years. Through her teaching and her intellectual breadth, Sister Anne Cyril exemplified the values and relevance of the humanities and had a profound influence on generations of students.

About the Speaker:

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. Massimo publishes a regular column in Philosophy Now entitled “The Art of Living.” His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books) and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press). Massimo’s latest is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment). More by Massimo at https://figsinwintertime.substack.com.