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The Stoic Question: Philosophy and Psychology · Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy

In this episode, I chat with Commander William C. Spears. William is a submarine warfare officer in the United States Navy, and author of the upcoming book Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. He enlisted in the Navy in June 2001, then earned his commission through the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He has since led a career in nuclear submarines, where he was most recently the second-in-command of a ballistic missile submarine. Today he works at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Highlights * Tell us a little about your background, and how you became interested in Stoicism. * Why should the military take note of Stoicism? * What do you mean when you say that Stoicism is a warrior philosophy? * How can warfare have anything to do with virtue? * Is your book, Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, more of an academic work or is it written for a general audience? * What are some ways in which your book advances the conversation about Stoicism? Links * Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy * Amazon Listing * William C. Spears’ Website Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

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show notes

In this episode, I chat with Commander William C. Spears. William is a submarine warfare officer in the United States Navy, and author of the upcoming book Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. He enlisted in the Navy in June 2001, then earned his commission through the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. He has since led a career in nuclear submarines, where he was most recently the second-in-command of a ballistic missile submarine. Today he works at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Highlights

* Tell us a little about your background, and how you became interested in Stoicism.

* Why should the military take note of Stoicism?

* What do you mean when you say that Stoicism is a warrior philosophy?

* How can warfare have anything to do with virtue?

* Is your book, Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, more of an academic work or is it written for a general audience?

* What are some ways in which your book advances the conversation about Stoicism?

Links

* Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy

* Amazon Listing

* William C. Spears’ Website

Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it.



Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe
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