Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy: Insights on the Morality of Military Service

"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

“If Stoicism seriously attracts your attention, you need a North Star. In the life of work William Spears has invested in this text, you have a resource that provides authentic, thorough guidance. He writes it in a wonderful manner that allows you to choose your own challenges, but with the tools included to have a ‘best chance’ of finding both methodology and reward. And when you master an aspect of Stoicism, it allows you to ‘bite off’ another piece of its life—sustaining wisdom and approach any challenge with confidence.
Foreword by James B. Stockdale II

• Can ancient philosophers really provide useful insights for the modern warfighter?
• How might they reconcile cosmopolitan principles with patriotic duty?
• Would a truly enlightened individual participate in the horrors of war?

Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy grapples with these questions and more. Authored by a serving military professional, it breaks down the most advanced concepts of Stoicism into plain language without oversimplifying. Exhaustively researched, steeped in original sources, and informed by examples from the cutting edge of modern conflict, it builds upon ancient thinking to develop innovative theories of patriotic duty and ethical warfighting.

While Stoicism has seen an explosion in popular interest, and is widely embraced in military culture, no serious philosophical work has yet explored its full implications within the military profession. This book answers that call. Endorsed by senior military officials and academic philosophers, Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy provides compelling and original contributions to both military ethics and the literature of modern Stoicism.