Combining Philosophies
One thing remarkable about philosophy is that it can be combined with other philosophies (as well as religion or not) to be personalized to fit the individual. After studying many philosophies and religions, I have done that myself and concluded that certain ways of life benefit me the most and provide me with a purpose to live.
This also includes religion. One can be of a certain religion and practice philosophy; in my opinion, although certain religious people have told me that Stoicism is a cult, it certainly doesn’t fit that standard.
As for combining philosophies, one example is the work of William James and pragmatism, which fits together well with Stoicism, which in quite a few ways are also similar, for example:
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” — William James
People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them. — Epictetus
Here, I will provide some ways these two philosophies provide healthy and content living if we practice the principles.
Stoicism and pragmatism can provide a practical approach to life that emphasizes the importance of rational thought, resilience, and the pursuit of practical goals.
Stoicism teaches individuals to cultivate a sense of inner calmness and to be mindful of their thoughts and emotions. At the same time, pragmatism emphasizes the importance of focusing on practical solutions to problems.
One way to combine these two philosophies would be to focus on rational approaches to challenging situations while maintaining a Stoic perspective on emotions and reactions.
This might involve setting practical goals and working towards them with persistence and resilience while accepting that setbacks and obstacles are a natural part of life.
By adopting a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, individuals can stay focused on practical solutions while maintaining inner peace and resilience in the face of adversity.
Moreover, in this combination, Stoicism can provide the intellectual framework of accepting things as they are, while pragmatism urges to enact effective change upon things, ultimately promoting a balance of action and contemplation.
One might also read about certain existentialists and how they viewed the world, and this can also be the case.
If you wanted to combine Stoicism with Existentialism, I put together a philosophy that could combine both.
“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky“There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know how enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming.” — Soren Kierkegaard
For example, we can create meaning and purpose but also accept the sometimes harsh realities of life and the world around us. We can find meaning by living according to our values, practicing virtue, and taking responsibility for our choices. At the same time, we can cultivate inner strength and accept things out of our control.
Another way to combine the two philosophies is by being mindful and focusing on the now and our particular experiences. We must be fully aware of the present, not engaged by dwelling in the past or worrying about what will happen. We can cultivate inner strength by accepting everything that arises and responding with wisdom and serenity.
Being in the moment is an important aspect of both of these philosophies. Stoics practiced the Concept of “Memento Mori.” This meant “Remember you must die” in Latin, keeping it in their mind to appreciate their fleeting lives — something we all should consider.
In conclusion, we can foster a sense of purpose and meaning while developing resilience and grit in the face of life’s challenges while living in the moment.
I am not pushing any particular combination; I am just giving examples of how philosophies can be combined to fit someone’s particular style. Everyone is an individual. So, obviously, philosophies can work to fit that individual.
