Thomas M. Ward, Professor of Philosophy, Baylor University
Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Thomas M. Ward, professor of philosophy and Baylor University, joined Hillsdale in D.C. for its January AWC Family Foundation Lecture centered on his most recent book
After Stoicism: Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. Using 6
th century Christian philosopher Boethius’ influential work
Consolation of Philosophy he spoke about the Stoicism of old, its resurgence today, and its possibilities and limits. He pointed to the ways that Boethius’ argument leads us to reflect both on the consolation that philosophy can provide and on its inability to provide an ultimate consolation in the way that Christianity does.
Reflecting on why Stoicism is appealing in the current moment, Dr. Ward pointed to three widespread conditions of modern life that Stoicism seems to answer: 1) modern life is often felt to be lived under compulsion—especially with regard to technology—which people experience as degrading; 2) modern life tends to promote a general softness in our culture, to which the Stoics say ‘Life is really hard, it’s full of suffering, but suffering can be good for you’; and 3) widespread loneliness, to which the Stoics recommend adopting a philosophical outlook that enables you to focus on accomplishing your own goals without social fabric.
But Dr. Ward said he worries about this Stoic revival. “It’s a way of coping with this pathology of life. [The Stoic ideal of]
ataraxia, in Greek, means complete serenity, and this is what the Stoics thought was the highest human good. It’s a kind of noble despair, but it’s a desperate philosophy.”
After Dr. Ward completed his remarks, Dr. Shaun Rieley, Director of Educational Programs and Teaching Fellow at Hillsdale in D.C., joined him on stage for further discussion. Dr. Rieley asked how Dr. Ward’s talk might help the audience in their work in D.C., particularly in the realm of politics. Dr. Ward responded that Stoicism can help sustain a restless and longing spirit without allowing it to become rapacious, but reasserted that ultimately religion is needed to maintain a healthy and functioning society. Thus, this Roman philosophy, while helpful for the human soul, has its limits that can only be overcome with the addition of revelation.
For more on Dr. Ward’s book, please visit
here.
To watch the lecture, please visit
here.
Sign up for updates and upcoming events at Hillsdale in D.C.
here.