Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat to historian Peter Jones about what medieval approaches to the Seven Deadly Sins can teach us about living well.

In his new book, Self Help from the Middle Ages, Peter Jones explores how the Middle Ages understood the Seven Deadly Sins not as a list of vices, but as a map of the mind. Join us as we chat to Peter about how looking at archival material such as paintings, works of erotic literature, and dozens of unpublished manuscripts through the lens of self-help can offer us new insight into modern struggles with depression, narcissism, rage, addiction, grief, and obsession.

The discussion between Peter and Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson will be followed by a live Q&A when you will be given the chance to ask Peter your own questions.

We’ll have a philosophical “Thought for the Week” from Dr Mark Vernon and the event will be hosted by Idler Academy director Victoria Hull.

This is an online event. It should be like meeting up in the pub for an interesting conversation. We leave the meeting open at the end so you can carry on chatting.

Peter Jones is a writer and historian who first fell under the spell of the Middle Ages at the age of nine, while visiting the National Portrait Gallery in London. After growing up in the circle of towns around Heathrow Airport he moved to New York in his early twenties and received a PhD in Medieval History from NYU. Over his career he has taught at the University of Toronto, University College London, and Complutense University of Madrid. Peter also spent several years working at the School of Advanced Studies in Tyumen, Siberia, and his experiences there — especially the class he taught on the Seven Deadly Sins — inspired his new book.

Tom Hodgkinson is editor of the Idler and author of the best-selling manuals, How to Be Idle and How to Be Free. His new book is How to Live Like a Stoic: A Handbook for Happiness. Other publications include a book on parenting, the Ukulele Handbook and a manual for creative entrepreneurs, Business for Bohemians.

Dr Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster, and teacher. He presents several Idler Academy online courses. He has a PhD in philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His most recent books include The Idler Guide to Ancient Philosophy (Idler Books), Love: All that Matters (Hodder) and Jung: How to Believe (Guardian Shorts) – and he has books on friendship, belief and the good life too. Mark can often be heard on Radio 4’s Moral Maze. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England. For more, visit markvernon.com.

Victoria Hull is director of the Idler Academy, producing the Idler’s live and online events and courses.