Get philosophical with us. This month we shine a spotlight on our School of Philosophy. Be sure to check USC Dornsife News and follow us on social media for more contemplative fun.

In this issue, learn about stoicism and why it’s growing in popularity, get to know actor and comedian Luka Jones, who earned a PhD in philosophy at USC Dornsife, and find out how one Army veteran found a passion for philosophy.

Ancient wisdom is making a modern comeback. Stoicism, a 2,300-year-old philosophy, is experiencing a surge in popularity.

Why it matters: In today’s fast-paced, often overwhelming world, Stoicism offers practical tools for managing emotions and has shaped modern mental health practices.

The big picture:  Founded around 300 B.C., Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches resilience by focusing on what we can control and accepting what we cannot.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of today’s most widely practiced mental health treatments, draws directly from Stoic principles. Its founder emphasized the Stoic belief that it’s not events themselves, but how we respond to them, that shape our emotions.

Some critics argue that its popularity – often , fueled by male influencers – leans more toward promoting emotional repression than true resilience.

Yes, but: Wedgwood says that position doesn’t accurately represent Stoicism.

Actor Luka Jones has made a name for himself with roles in TV series like Shrill and People of Earth, but he also has a passion for academia — having earned a PhD in philosophy from USC Dornsife. He even sees (sort of) a parallel in how philosophers think and a certain superhero’s technology.

In his application to USC, Army veteran and philosophy major Evan Williams named Paddington Bear as his ideal fictional roommate, drawn to the character’s warmth, optimism and gentle approach to overcoming challenges.

Why it matters: After serving six years as a U.S. Army nurse, Williams highlights how life experience can shape unexpected academic paths.

Williams joined the Army after high school, completed basic training, and trained as a practical nursing specialist.

After completing his military service, Williams followed his passion for philosophy, transferring to USC Dornsife to pursue his studies.

The Club meets weekly, with students discussing influential philosophical works like:

The bottom line: Williams recommends majoring in philosophy for its academic rigor and critical thinking skills, which can be applied to careers in law, business, medicine and politics.

In his words: “Specialties in terms of careers are great, of course, but somebody has to not be specialized,” Williams says. “We can’t have a society of essentially the most talented and equipped tradesmen. Somebody must be a mile wide and an inch deep, and I think philosophy offers this opportunity.

Your favorite superheroes often embody the traits of Stoicism. USC Dornsife scholars explain what Stoicism is and why it remains popular today.

Explore the oldest library on campus, home to rare manuscripts and collections. The furniture, artifacts and building itself are nearly 100 years old.

Before Luka Jones appeared in TV shows and movies alongside actors Aidy Bryant, Will Arnett, Maya Rudolph and more, he earned a PhD in philosophy from USC Dornsife.

Interested in philosophy but not sure where to start? Associate Professor of Philosophy Dmitri Gallow recommends four books that explore topics like free will, a meaningful life and even existence itself. Check out his book list >>

April is Earth Month, your opportunity to learn more about USC’s Assignment: Earth sustainability framework and how you can help the university achieve its sustainability goals. Explore more than 60 sustainability-related events and activities.

Join the sixth annual Climate Forward conference focusing on practical solutions to climate change and identifying political obstacles to implementing changes.

Discover how to manage market volatility, how much to save for retirement, smart investment strategies and ways to stay secure through market ups and downs.

Celebrate your hard work and dedication during USC’s 2025 Staff Appreciation Week.

Sign-up to receive NewsRound, a weekly listing of news stories featuring USC Dornsife scholars.

“[Jane Goodall] showed me the kinds of things you can do if you devote yourself to activism.”

A-Z Animals interviewed Craig Stanford of biological sciences and anthropology for the article “Primatologist Dr. Craig Stanford on Working With Jane Goodall, His Most Shocking Discoveries and Being Attacked by a Chimp.”

“Employers need to realize that the office is a distracting, noisy place, and it will take their employees a while to become really effective again in that environment.”

ABC6 Columbus, Ohio, spoke with Meredith Lepley of psychology for their story “Central Ohio workers face frustrations as employers mandate return to office.”

“During the daytime, trees are taking up something like 60% of the fossil fuel CO2 that’s being emitted.”

NBC Los Angeles interviewed William Berelson of Earth sciences, environmental studies and spatial sciences for their story “Altadena conservation group rallies to save trees that remove carbon dioxide from the air.”

USC Libraries provides free access to Kanopy, a streaming service with critically acclaimed classic films, foreign films and documentaries.