PARIS
PIGLIUCCI
COLTER
SELLARS
January 2025 seminar
...countdown!
Paris Practical Philosophy Seminar: Seneca and Plutarch on anger
Anger, according to the Stoics, is a form of temporary madness, the quintessential example of an unhealthy emotion, because it is in opposition to reason. Seneca the Younger wrote a whole book on the subject.
But the Stoics were not the only ones to have a problem with anger. So did the Platonist Skeptic Plutarch of Chaeronea, who wrote on the subject in his Moral Essays. Which is interesting, because Plutarch was also fairly critical of the Stoics!
Come join us in beautiful Paris 🗼this January to spend two and a half days exploring Seneca's and Plutarch's ideas about anger and how we can apply them to modern life. Whether you'll end up agreeing or disagreeing with them, you are guaranteed a stimulating time in the City of Light, together with fellow practitioners of philosophy as a way of life.
Seminar programme & museum visit
(tentative programme, subject to change, please check back)
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Session times displayed in CET
1
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Plato and the unruly horses
Rob Colter
2
8:00-10:00 p.m.
🍽️ Dinner in small groups
Philosophy chats
Friday, 10 January 2025
Session times displayed in CET
1
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Aristotle’s treatment of the emotions
Cicero’s treatment of the emotions
John Sellars
Massimo Pigliucci
2
12:00-3:00 p.m.
🍽️ Lunch break, eateries nearby
Open groups
3
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Seneca's On Anger, books I & II
Faculty
4
8:00-10:00 p.m.
🍽️ Dinner in small groups
Philosophy chats
Saturday, 11 January 2025
Session times displayed in CET
1
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Seneca's On Anger, books II & III
Faculty
2
12:00-3:00 p.m.
🍽️ Lunch break, eateries nearby
Open groups
3
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Plutarch's On the Avoidance of Anger
Faculty
Sunday, 12 January 2025
Session times displayed in CET
2
1:00-3:00 p.m.
🍽️ Lunch at nearby eateries
Open groups
About the facilitators
Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His new book is Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment). More here.
Rob Colter is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Wyoming. An award winning teacher, his courses cover ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy, Philosophy as a Way of Life, and other core philosophical topics. Rob is the founder and Director of Wyoming Stoic Camp, an immersive experience in living like a Stoic based in the high Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.
John Sellars is a Reader in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London (where he is currently program lead for Philosophy), a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London (where he is Associate Editor for the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle project), and a Member of Common Room at Wolfson College, Oxford (where he was once a Junior Research Fellow and is a member of Wolfson’s Ancient World Research Cluster).
Suggested readings
Books & e-books
- Plato, Phaedrus, tr. by A. Nehamas and P. Woodruff, Hackett Classics. Also available online free.
- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, tr. by R.C. Bartlett, University of Chicago Press. (Focus on section 4.5) Available online free.
- Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, tr. by J.E. King, Harvard University Press. (Focus on Tusculan Disputations 3 and 4) Available online free.
- Anger, Mercy, Revenge, by L.A. Seneca, translated by Robert A. Kaster and Martha C. Nussbaum, University of Chicago Press. (Focus on On Anger) Available online free.
- Essays, by Plutarch, introduction by Ian Kidd, translated by Robin Waterfield, Penguin Classics. (Focus on On the avoidance of anger) Available online free
- E-book: Stoicism and Emotion, a commentary on Margaret Graver, by Massimo Pigliucci, The Philosophy Garden.
Articles & essays
- How to talk to your emotions, by Massimo Pigliucci, The Philosophy Garden.
- The story of the pale Stoic in the storm, by Massimo Pigliucci, The Philosophy Garden.
- A short article on the history of Lutetia, the original (Roman) Paris.
Tips & FAQs
A few things to keep in mind while preparing your trip...
Urban transport: info, ticket options & fares
Planning to use the Paris metro/bus/RER/tramway network?
For single tickets, click here.
For cards & passes, click here.
Consider Navigo Easy if you intend to use the metro & bus more than a few times during your stay.
Check out the Metro & RER map of Paris.
Useful to know:
- If you are planning to spend time in Paris, it can be worth downloading the RATP app on your phone. RATP manages the public transport network in central Paris and its app has an English language route planning function.
- The RER is a system of mainline trains which cross central Paris and link areas on opposite sides of the city and three of its five routes are available at the Gare Du Nord. It provides faster access to some areas of the city that are also served by Metro lines.
- Think twice about using the metro if you have heavy luggage etc, as steps are the only means of transferring between the trains and street at the overwhelming majority of stations.
This includes the transfers between the station concourse and the metro at some mainline stations.
Paris doesn't have a particularly deep level metro, so most of the staircases you will have to use are fairly short, but they can be a hassle if you’re carrying bags or managing small children etc.
This includes the transfers between the station concourse and the metro at some mainline stations.
Paris doesn't have a particularly deep level metro, so most of the staircases you will have to use are fairly short, but they can be a hassle if you’re carrying bags or managing small children etc.
I am landing ✈ at Charles de Gaulle airport, how do I reach the Maison FL hotel (seminar venue)?
1. By taxi
Fixed rates from CDG Airport.
➡️ “left bank”: €65
➡️ “right bank”: €56
➡️ “left bank”: €65
➡️ “right bank”: €56
Terminal 1: exit 24 on the arrivals level
Terminal 2A: exit 6
Terminal 2B: arrivals level
Terminal 2C: exit 14
Terminal 2D: exit 7
Terminal 2E: gate 10 on the arrivals level
Terminal 2F: gate 11 ont the arrivals level
Terminal 2G: blue gate
Terminal 3: exit of the arrivals hall
Terminal 2A: exit 6
Terminal 2B: arrivals level
Terminal 2C: exit 14
Terminal 2D: exit 7
Terminal 2E: gate 10 on the arrivals level
Terminal 2F: gate 11 ont the arrivals level
Terminal 2G: blue gate
Terminal 3: exit of the arrivals hall
2. By suburban train, the RER B line (then switch to Metro line 6)
The RER B line is a direct rail link between Paris main stations (Denfert-Rochereau, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Châtelet-Les-Halles, Gare du Nord) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. A free CDGVAL shuttle connects the stations with the airport terminals.
Rate (entire journey):
€11,80 (Navigo susbcription for zones 1-5 accepted)
€11,80 (Navigo susbcription for zones 1-5 accepted)
RER B stations at Paris-CDG airport:
Terminals 1 and 3: "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1" station
• Terminal 1 is available by free CDGVAL shuttle (journey time: 6 minutes).
• Terminal 3 is available by pedestrian walkway. Terminal 2: "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV" station
• Terminals 2C, 2D, 2E et 2F are availables by foot and by moving walkway.
• Terminal 2A is available by foot or by free N1 shuttle from RER station, level 5.
• Terminal 2G is available by free N2 shuttle, from Terminal 2F, exit 2.10.
Terminals 1 and 3: "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1" station
• Terminal 1 is available by free CDGVAL shuttle (journey time: 6 minutes).
• Terminal 3 is available by pedestrian walkway. Terminal 2: "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV" station
• Terminals 2C, 2D, 2E et 2F are availables by foot and by moving walkway.
• Terminal 2A is available by foot or by free N1 shuttle from RER station, level 5.
• Terminal 2G is available by free N2 shuttle, from Terminal 2F, exit 2.10.
Frequency:
Every 10-15 minutes on weekdays
Every 10-15 minutes on weekdays
Where to buy tickets?:
At points of sale and ticket machines at all metro and RER stations, including Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport. (Designated counters and automatic machines available.)
At points of sale and ticket machines at all metro and RER stations, including Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport. (Designated counters and automatic machines available.)
Your journey looks like this:
RER B 🚆 (South direction: "Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse"/"Robinson"), get off at "Denfert-Rochereau" > Change for metro line 6 🚇 (direction "Charles de Gaulle-Etoile" > Get off at "Passy" > 👣 5' to Maison FL.
RER B 🚆 (South direction: "Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse"/"Robinson"), get off at "Denfert-Rochereau" > Change for metro line 6 🚇 (direction "Charles de Gaulle-Etoile" > Get off at "Passy" > 👣 5' to Maison FL.
I am arriving 🚅 at Gare du Nord train station, how do I reach the Maison FL hotel (seminar venue)?
1. By suburban train, the RER B line (then switch to Metro line 6)
The RER B (blue) line is a direct rail link between Paris main stations (Denfert-Rochereau, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Châtelet-Les-Halles, Gare du Nord) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The RER concourse is at a lower level, at the far left of the main concourse, when facing away from the trains.
When you walk off Eurostar/Thalys, this should be your view of the concourse:
When you walk off Eurostar/Thalys, this should be your view of the concourse:
Credit Seat61
Your journey looks like this:
RER B 🚆 (South direction: "Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse"/"Robinson"), get off at "Denfert-Rochereau" > Change for metro line 6 🚇 (direction "Charles de Gaulle-Etoile" > Get off at "Passy" > 👣 5' to Maison FL.
RER B 🚆 (South direction: "Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse"/"Robinson"), get off at "Denfert-Rochereau" > Change for metro line 6 🚇 (direction "Charles de Gaulle-Etoile" > Get off at "Passy" > 👣 5' to Maison FL.
View the itinerary on Google maps.
2. Via underground: Metro line 4 (then switch to Metro line 9)
Line 4 is the primary public transport link between the Gare du Nord and the heart of Paris, hence it is typically very busy.
(Check the traffic status –RER vs metro option– once you arrive. The respective Google map links above and below should provide a relatively reliable ETA.)
(Check the traffic status –RER vs metro option– once you arrive. The respective Google map links above and below should provide a relatively reliable ETA.)
Your journey looks like this:
Line 4 🚇 (South direction: "Bagneux - Lucie Aubrac"), get off at "Strasbourg Saint-Denis" > Change for metro line 9 🚇 (direction "Pont de Sèvres" > Get off at "Trocadéro" > 👣 9' to Maison FL.
Line 4 🚇 (South direction: "Bagneux - Lucie Aubrac"), get off at "Strasbourg Saint-Denis" > Change for metro line 9 🚇 (direction "Pont de Sèvres" > Get off at "Trocadéro" > 👣 9' to Maison FL.
View the itinerary on Google maps.
3. By taxi
When you step on to the concourse, the taxi rank is over to the right, so the transfer between stepping off a high speed train and the taxi rank is comparatively straightforward.
It is step-free and avoids the crowds of people in the station who will be making their way to and from the commuter trains.
Though queues for the taxis inevitably lengthen after a Eurostar arrival, so if you want to take a taxi to another station for an onward connection, it can be a good idea to make your way towards the front of the train prior to arrival.
Info on taxis 🚕
All licensed taxis in Paris are equipped with metres. The fare is charged per kilometre and per hour. Make sure the metre is switched on as soon as you set off.
Visit G7's website (largest taxi company) for detailed, updated information.
Visit G7's website (largest taxi company) for detailed, updated information.
Uber is also available in Paris, but the ride will not necessarily be less expensive, especially for standard city distances.
Louvre Museum opening hours & e-tickets
Opening hours
Mon-Thu-Sat-Sun: 9 am-6 pm
Wed & Fri: 9 am-9 pm
Tuesday: closed
Wed & Fri: 9 am-9 pm
Tuesday: closed
General admission
€22
Eiffel Tower opening hours & e-tickets
Opening hours
Mon-Sun: 9 am - 12 am
Admission
Currency & credit cards
Currency
The euro (€) has been the official currency of France since 1st January 2002.
Check live exchange rates.
Check live exchange rates.
Credit cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted in Paris, though some establishments do not accept American Express and Diners.
Exchange
Foreign currency can be exchanged at most French and foreign banks and at exchange bureaus located at CDG and Orly airports and around the city centre.
You will need your passport to exchange money. Travellers checks are also widely accepted.
Banks will have the best exchange rates and are open from around 9 am-5 pm. (closed during lunch-break hours, ~12:30-2:00 pm.)
You will need your passport to exchange money. Travellers checks are also widely accepted.
Banks will have the best exchange rates and are open from around 9 am-5 pm. (closed during lunch-break hours, ~12:30-2:00 pm.)
Idieally, use your debit card via ATMs that can disperse cash from your accounts at home and are located everywhere throughout the city.
Keep in mind that they will charge you €2-3 per transaction.
Keep in mind that they will charge you €2-3 per transaction.
Tipping
Tipping in Paris is not a requirement, however, it is greatly appreciated.
As there are no standard rates, a good evaluation indicator would be to consider the tipping standards in your home country. Anywhere between 5% to 15% would be satisfactory according to the service provided.
As there are no standard rates, a good evaluation indicator would be to consider the tipping standards in your home country. Anywhere between 5% to 15% would be satisfactory according to the service provided.
Is tap water safe to drink in Paris?
Yes, tap water is safe to drink in Paris, as it meets all EU regulations for potable water quality standards.
You can also order tap water for free at any restaurant.
You can also order tap water for free at any restaurant.
Credit: AmberEverywhere
Do: Say "Bonjour" when you greet someone!
One of the biggest faux pas that you can commit in Paris is forgetting to say, “Bonjour” or otherwise greet someone before you ask them a question. As small as it may seem to you, skipping the “Bonjour” can seriously offend the person you’re speaking to – sometimes so much that they’ll correct you with a sassy or even irritated, “Bonjour” before answering your question.
And don't forget to use "S'il Vous Plait" and "Merci" too!
And don't forget to use "S'il Vous Plait" and "Merci" too!
Social dinner
Saturday, 11 Jan at 8 p.m.
🍽️ 🍷 Social dinner at Bistrot Vivienne
Transportation from Maison FL: view itinerary
When in Paris...
A few pinned spots to facilitate your stay; this town's made for walkin'! (open map in a new tab)
↓ TIP: Click on the tab icon to open the legend of the map.
The Philosophy Garden, Stoicism and beyond
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