About the Book
Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy explores ancient thought as if it were sophisticated personal equipment, uniquely fitted for those who navigate the world's most dangerous physical and moral terrain. Thoroughly researched and exhaustive in scope, it confronts widespread misconceptions about both philosophers and the military, illustrating the deep interconnection between moral, mental, and physical character. Moreover, it extends the boundaries of contemporary military ethics, linking enduring philosophical principles with the evolving complexities of modern warfare. It equips serving and future military professionals for an arena of moral ambiguity, delivering intellectual tools to face all challenges with integrity, honor, and an unshakable warrior ethos. While Stoicism has seen an explosion in popular interest, and is widely embraced in military circles, no serious philosophical work has yet explored its full relevance to the military profession. This book fills that gap. Endorsed by senior military officials and academic philosophers, Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy provides compelling and original contributions to both military ethics and the modern Stoic resurgence. AUTHOR: Commander William C. Spears is an active military professional with a distinguished career in the United States Navy. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. His service includes operations in nuclear-powered submarines across a variety of classes and mission profiles, including duty as the Executive Officer of a Trident missile submarine. His hobbies include weightlifting, winemaking, and antagonizing his family with philosophical inquiry. 7 b/w images
Table of Contents:
Preface
1. Mission
2. Excellence
3. Discipline
4. Duty
5. Country
6. Warrior
Epilogue
Chronology of Key Figures
Bibliography
About the Author :
Commander William C. Spears is an active military professional with a distinguished career in the United States Navy. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. His service includes operations in nuclear-powered submarines across a variety of classes and mission profiles, including duty as the Executive Officer of a Trident missile submarine. His hobbies include weightlifting, winemaking, and antagonizing his family with philosophical inquiry.
Review :
"William C. Spears performs the triple service of demonstrating that ancient classics are classics precisely because they can be read to good advantage centuries or even millennia after they were written, that Stoicism offers much to persons in search of such value in professional life, and that members of the profession of arms in particular owe it to themselves and to those they lead to think deeply about their vocation."--Dr. John Mark Mattox, U.S. National War College Chair in Leadership, Character, and Ethics
"William C. Spears presents a compelling case for Stoicism as the moral framework warriors need. I saw this firsthand during my service in the Marine Corps, at the CIA, and later as a senior official at the Pentagon. The core principles of Stoicism--discipline, resilience, knowing what matters--apply just as much on the battlefield as they do in the Situation Room at the White House. This is not just theory--it's a philosophy tested under pressure, and meant for those whose decisions have consequences measured in lives."--Michael "Mick" Mulroy, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East and senior fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center
"This book should be a standard text at our war colleges, service academies, for ROTC and for anyone wanting to get beyond a surface level understanding of Stoicism as applied to the profession of arms. This is truly an important and engaging work of scholarship that must be taken into account." --Dr. Shaun Baker, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, United States Naval Academy
"This volume represents a unique and masterful blend of military perspective and scholarly gravitas in addressing the variety and range of Stoic thought, both historical and contemporary. In addition to the fidelity to the philosophical traditions and literature, the book addresses and argues for a way to conceptualize and apply these ideas within a military perspective that goes beyond the usual popular culture tropes and surface treatments. Highly recommended for both scholars and military practitioners, and those who see themselves as both."--Dr. Pauline M. Shanks Kaurin, Stockdale Chair in Professional Military Ethics, College of Leadership and Ethics, U.S. Naval War College
"From the halls of our U.S. military academies to the crucible of command, Stoicism has long shaped the character of America's finest military leaders. In Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, Commander Spears advances this tradition with clarity and resolve--building on Admiral Stockdale's legacy to deliver a field manual for warrior-scholars. For those who strive to lead with courage, endure with purpose, and serve with integrity, this is a must read."--Vice Admiral (Ret) Joe Leidig, former Deputy Commander U.S. Africa Command and USNA Commandant of Midshipmen
"Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy offers today's military a framework for thinking about the warrior ethos, how it works, and why it matters that it works on a philosophical level. U.S. Navy Commander William C. Spears challenges misconceptions about modern warriors, bridging ancient Stoic thought with contemporary ideas about moral responsibility and just war theory to provide a balanced perspective on the morality of modern warfare."--Donald J. Robertson, best-selling author of "How to Think Like a Roman Emperor"
"As a Marine Corps officer who took the Naval War College's moral philosophy course designed by Admiral Stockdale, taught on his legacy at the Naval Academy, and practiced Stoicism through multiple combat deployments, I found Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy to be a powerful and timely work. William Spears bridges ancient wisdom with the realities of military life, offering a clear, compelling case for Stoicism as the warrior's philosophy. This book belongs on every leader's shelf."--Lt. Col. Thomas Schueman, USMC, best-selling author of "Always Faithful"
