Medical ethics · Right to health · Justice
A New Stoicism by Lawrence C. Becker — Summary, Key Ideas & Quotes
2012195 pages✦ 3-min Big ideas
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What is A New Stoicism about?
Lawrence C. Becker introduces an unconventional set of background ideas for future philosophical work on normative theories of basic justice. The organizing concept is habilitation - the process of equipping a person or thing with functional abilities or capacities.
A glimpse inside
Habilitation as Central Concept
Becker introduces 'habilitation' as the core organizing principle of his new Stoicism. Instead of focusing on resignation or endurance, habilitation is about actively equipping oneself with the skills, habits, and capacities necessary for flourishing. This reframes Stoicism as a positive, developmental philosophy, emphasizing growth, adaptation, and the ongoing process of becoming more capable and virtuous, rather than simply enduring hardship.
Virtue as Functional Excellence
Becker revives the ancient Stoic idea that virtue is a kind of excellence in functioning, but he updates it for a world without teleological or theological underpinnings. Virtue is not about conforming to cosmic reason or divine will, but about achieving the best possible functioning as a human being—rational, social, and adaptive. This makes Stoic virtue accessible and relevant to secular readers.
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Get smart in 3 min
6 key ideas, distilled
- 1Habilitation as Central Concept
- 2Virtue as Functional Excellence
- 3A Rational, Secular Ethics
- 4Justice and Social Responsibility
- 5Practical Guidance for Modern Life
Frequently asked
Lawrence C. Becker introduces an unconventional set of background ideas for future philosophical work on normative theories of basic justice. The organizing concept is habilitation - the process of equipping a person or thing with functional abilities or capacities.