#23 Nancy Sherman | Stoic Wisdom and the Soul of Moral Life

Our guest in this episode is Nancy Sherman, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and a leading expert on ancient ethics and modern moral psychology. Drawing on Aristotle and the Stoics, Nancy explores what it means to live well, to cultivate resilience without emotional suppression, and to nurture our capacity for connection in a fragmented world. She discusses how Stoic ideas have been both misunderstood and rediscovered—from Silicon Valley’s self-help culture to the search for calm and meaning among younger generations. Through themes of responsiveness, character formation, and moral self-knowledge, the conversation bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges in education, leadership, and mental health.

00:01:02 – Motivation and Driving Force

00:04:37 – Aristotle and the Soul

00:09:03 – Stoicism and Aristotle

00:11:46 – Stoicism and the Self-Help Industry

00:14:23 – Stoicism and Spiritual Practice

00:18:50 – Stoicism and Bildung

00:24:47 – ResponsAbility and Wise Response

00:28:24 – Responsiveness in Education and Professional Life

00:33:47 – Stoicism, Resilience, and Mental Health

00:37:06 – Stoic Exercises in Higher Education?

Literature:

• Sherman, N. (forthcoming): How to Have a Soul: What Aristotle Teaches Us about Lasting Happiness. Yale University Press.
• Sherman, N. (2021): Stoic Wisdom – Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience. Oxford University Press.
• Sherman, N. (2015): Afterwar: Healing the Moral Wounds of Our Soldiers. Oxford University Press.
• Sherman, N. (2007) Stoic Warriors - The Ancient Philosophy behind the Military Mind. Oxford University Press.
• Sherman, N, (1991): The Fabric of Character: Aristotle's Theory of Virtue. Clarendon Press.