How you can live like a philosopher

The ancient thinkers were the original influencers, says expert

- MARGARET HUSSEY

People might wonder why we should care about what someone said two millennia ago," says Professor Massimo Pigliucci. "But what these people wrote about human flourishing stands the test of time, mostly because human nature hasn't changed."

By "these people", Professor Pigliucci means the philosophers of ancient Greek and Rome. He's co-author of the book Live Like A Philosopher, which looks at their teachings and how they can still help us in today's fast-paced world.

Covering everyone from Socrates to Plato, Aristotle to Epicurus, the philosophers' life stories are told alongside practical exercises.

Professor Pigliucci, who lectures in philosophy at The City College of New York, says the Greek and Roman philosophers were the original influencers but instead of being on social media, they were out in the real world.

"At that time if you were a philosopher, you really needed to live the life of a philosopher," he says. "You didn't just get to preach and not live it. It was very physical and deed rather than creed."

So why the need for philosophy today - with our many routes of mindfulness, meditation, relaxation apps, gym memberships?

"We are living in interesting times," says Professor Pigliucci. "Superficially our society is dramatically different, but we all share the same common goals of love, friendship, money and tranquillity. And we want to avoid poverty, sickness, death and hatred.

"Today we have a lot of talk about meaning, as in what is the meaning of life? The Greco-Romans didn't necessarily use that terminology. They used it in terms of goals, what they called telos, to have a purpose. It's about what you are trying to do with your life."

Here, he focuses on five philosophers and we show how to put their teachings into practice.

EPICURUS: LEAD A SIMPLE LIFE Born 341 BCE. Died 270 BCE