Gilbert Murray was an early 20th century scholar and leader in the humanist movement. In this speech, he outlines the basic elements of Stoicism. While old enough that it is out of copyright, it still gives an excellent account of the basics of the philosophy, not only describing the essential doctrines, but (more importantly) the … Continue reading Murray’s “The Stoic Philosophy”
Category: commonplace
Hume’s “The Sceptic”
This essay is the fourth in a collection of four, themselves collected in Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary. The footnote refers to the set of four; the essay number in the title of the essay, the part of the book in which they were collected. From David Hume, Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary, (London: Longmans, … Continue reading Hume’s “The Sceptic”
Hume’s “The Stoic”
This essay is the second in a collection of four, themselves collected in Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary. The footnote refers to the set of four; the essay number in the title of the essay, the part of the book in which they were collected. From David Hume, Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary, (London: Longmans, … Continue reading Hume’s “The Stoic”
Introduction to Somerville’s “The Connexion of the Physical Sciences”
Mary Somerville was a 19th century scientist, best known in modern times as the person for whom the English word "scientist" was coined. In this excerpt from the introduction to a general science textbook, she argues for the value of such studies. From Mary Somerville, The Connexion of the Physical Sciences, (London: John Murray, 1849), … Continue reading Introduction to Somerville’s “The Connexion of the Physical Sciences”
Commonplace and Commentary 