Elizabeth Frissell’s presentation on ancient exercises and dealing with difficulties

On Friday, 30 January, at 14:15, an English-language colloquium will take place at the University of Tartu Philosophicum (Jakobi 2–336) and on Zoom, exploring how Stoic ideas and practices can be applied in contemporary psychotherapy to help individuals cope better with difficulties.

The talk, „Stoicism & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: How Ancient Practices Can Improve Modern Mental Health“, compares Stoicism with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and shows how ancient exercises may be helpful in cases of anxiety, pain, addiction and grief. The focus is on noticing thoughts and feelings and taking steps guided by one’s values. The talk will be given by Elizabeth Frissell, a PhD candidate at the University of Nottingham.

Colloquium summary

„This project approaches the ethical texts of Stoicism – a Hellenistic school of philosophy – as informing a way of life, and more specifically, the good life. The primary aim of this project is to modernise Stoic beliefs and practices so that they may be used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a growing third-wave psychotherapy that focuses on accepting one’s circumstances and is used to help those suffering from chronic health conditions, substance abuse, and grief. Thus, this project both evaluates Stoic ideas and practices – such as their theory of emotions and premeditatio malorum (negative visualisation) – and argues that these ideas and practices can have positive utility today in psychotherapeutic settings.“

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This colloquium is part of the Susimetsa Philosophicum Residency Programme, where the residents present the results of their research projects. The colloquium is organised by the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu. The colloquium is supported by the NGO Prof. Dr. Theda Rehbock's Susimetsa Philosophicum.