How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic

Celebrated CUNY philosopher Massimo Pigliucci investigates the practical applications of Cicero’s skepticism, weaving together ancient wisdom, personal narrative, and practical insights to help readers find meaning through doubt

Throughout history it has always been true that people don’t know as much as they think they do. The ancient Greeks and Romans formulated an approach to life based on this notion. They recognized that adjusting our beliefs to the evidence while keeping in mind that we could be mistaken is the path to a just society—and a happy and meaningful life.

In How to Be A (Happy) Skeptic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci adopts the ancient Roman public advocate, orator, statesman, and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero as his guide to reveal the benefits of cultivating curiosity and doubt in the pursuit of a life worth living. Cicero’s skeptical philosophy is more relevant than ever in our current age of misinformation.

Following Cicero’s life and works, Pigliucci explores the foundations for a good life, from how to formulate our values to how to nurture friendships; from being a good citizen and fighting for social justice to handling grief, pain, and even death. Skepticism as a philosophy was developed during a time of violence, social upheaval, and political turmoil. Taking a page from Cicero’s book, we, too, can adopt a practical philosophy of reason and learn to live well through uncertain times.Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, and podcaster, as well as the K. D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. His books include the bestselling How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books, 2017) and Beyond Stoicism—A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers (with Gregory Lopez and Meredith Kunz, The Experiment, 2025). He has been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Big Think, among others. He lives in New York City.