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New Book – Teach Yourself: Stoicism and the Art of Happiness (2013)

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Teach Yourself:
Stoicism and the Art of Happiness (2013)

Teach Yourself: Stoicism and the Art of Happinessby Donald Robertson

Due for publication by Hodder, autumn 2013.  ISBN: 9781444187106.  You can pre-order from the publisher from Amazon and all major online booksellers.

Why, then, do you wonder that good men are shaken in order that they may grow strong?  No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails it.  For by its very tossing it tightens its grip and plants its roots more securely; the fragile trees are those that have grown in a sunny valley.  It is, therefore, to the advantage even of good men, to the end that they may be unafraid, to live constantly amidst alarms and to bear with patience the happenings which are ills to him only who ill supports them. – Seneca, On Providence

This new addition to Hodder’s popular Teach Yourself series provides a detailed introduction to Stoic philosophy, with particular emphasis on applying Stoic ethics and therapy to modern living.  Donald Robertson is a registered psychotherapist, specialising in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety and other evidence-based approaches, with a background in academic philosophy.  He is the author of four previous books, two of which also deal with Stoicism and its relation to modern psychology and psychotherapy:

  • The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy (2010)
  • Teach Yourself: Build your Resilience (2012)

Stoicism and the Art of Happiness is the product of Donald’s experience over the past fifteen years, in his attempt to integrate the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosophy with modern evidence-based approaches to psychological therapy and stress management.

Chapters Include

  • Modern Stoicism
  • The Way of the Stoic: “Follow Nature”
  • The Promise of Philosophy (Eudaimona)
  • Interlude: Meet the Stoics
  • Stoic Ethics: The Nature of the Good
  • The Discipline of Judgement (Stoic Mindfulness)
  • Self-Awareness & the “Stoic Fork”
  • The Discipline of Desire (Stoic Acceptance)
  • Stoic Psychotherapy (Fear & Desire)
  • The View from Above & Stoic Cosmology
  • The Discipline of Action (Stoic Philanthropy)
  • Appropriate Action & the Reserve Clause
  • Love & Friendship in Stoicism
  • The Morning & Evening Meditations
  • Premeditation of Adversity
  • Contemplation of Death
  • Contemplation of the Sage