The What Would Marcus Do? Book Club’s Community Charter
We explore how to live well. WWMD is a public book club rooted in Stoic philosophy. We use the four Stoic virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance to explore what it means to live well and how we can put those ideas into practice.
You don’t have to be a Stoic to belong. We welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and levels of familiarity with philosophy. Different perspectives make our conversations better and help shape the books and themes we choose.
Reading a work doesn’t mean endorsing it. We choose books for the questions they open up. A work may challenge or conflict with Stoic values, and that tension can be part of a worthwhile discussion.
We give difficult material context. When a work contains harmful language, stereotypes, or difficult themes, hosts will frame the discussion and flag sensitive material in advance where possible. Historical and cultural context can help us understand a work while still allowing us to question what it portrays.
We challenge ideas and respect the people sharing them. Disagreement is welcome. Listen without interrupting, share the floor, and speak from your own perspective. When someone shares a personal experience, don’t dismiss it, ask them to prove it, or expect them to speak for an entire group.
Everyone decides how much to share. You can pass on a question or step away without explanation. Take the ideas with you, and ask permission before sharing someone else’s personal story outside the room.
We draw a clear line at discrimination and harassment. Racism, sexism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination have no place at WWMD. The same applies to harassment, intimidation, and personal attacks, both at meetings and in club spaces online.
Hosts are responsible for upholding these standards. If something crosses a line, you can speak privately with a host during or after the meeting. Hosts may pause or redirect the discussion, ask someone to change their behaviour, or ask them to leave or not return if the conduct is serious or repeated.
For those who train the mind as they train the body.
