Essay on Stoicism: How a +2000 years philosophy can act as a modern framework to a better life
"As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters." — Seneca
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is a Hellenistic eudaemonic philosophy which I am certain that for many this will not be much of a clarification. As such, let us decorticate this mouthful, shall we? Hellenistic, is derived from the ancient greek word Hellas which is the original word for Greece. Hellenistic philosophy is the philosophy that was developed between 323BCE and 31BCE. For the astute amongst you, this indeed corresponds with respectively Alexander The Great's death and the emergence of the Roman Empire.
Eudaemonia is a form of wellbeing which is centralised on meaning and self-realisation. Etymologically, it consists of the words “eu” (“good”) and “daimōn” (“spirit”) and can be encompassed as a human's welfare, happiness, prosperity and blessedness.
The word Stoicism originates from Stoa Poikile which is a famous Ancient Agora of Athens where Stoics met and teached their philosophy.
Furthermore, it can be divided into 3 major phases of Stoicism where the 2 first phase are also commonly referred to as the Greek Stoicism while the last phase finds place in the Roman era, hence Roman Stoicism.
After using the word "philosophy " already multiple times (exactly 5 time FYI), I feel the urge to tranquil the anxious among those of you readers who encountered snobs, claiming to be philosophers or those who had the misfortune to engage into endless battles of semantics and wordplay by declaring that Stoicism is a practical philosophy meant to be applied to everyday's life.
Stoic Superstars
Zeno is considered as the founder of the Stoic school which was heavily inspired by Eastern Mediterranean philosophies. He was pupil of the Cynic (tutored by Crates) and Socratic philosophy (tutored by Polemo and Stilpo). Serendipitously, Zeno combined the best of both worlds to create the 3 topoi which will be discussed later on. As is often the case in beliefs, a whole slew of philosopher came after Zeno with different interpretations and understandings. Chrysippus brought an end to much of the debates and built the solid foundation of Stoicism by introducing novel ideas in logic and by defining virtues as individual branches of wisdom. The next, arguably, Stoic heroes were found a couple of decades later in Rome. Athens, with as goal to soften diplomatic tensions with Rome, sent the heads of its dominant schools to Rome. Back then, the dominant schools were the Stoics, the Academics (founded by Plato) and the Peripatetics (found by Aristotle). Diogenes of Seleucia, who represented the Stoics made quite an impressions amongst the Roman plebs and elite paving the immigration of philosophy from Athens to Rome which then greatly influenced contemporary Western philosophy.
First we have Epictetus who was born a slave in present-day Turkey. By leave of his owner, he studied philosophy and discovered Stoicism. After the death of emperor Nero, he gained his freedom only to be banished with all other philosophers from Rome by emperor Domitian. Fleeing back to Greece and starting his very own school, he was frequently visited by powerful figures who sought counsel and wisdom. Epictetus died in Greece as a simple man but this did not stop him to have an indirect impact to one of the most powerful man who roamed earth in his time, Marcus Aurelius who was emperor of Rome in its most glorious days. He was literally a God, he could do as he pleased with no repercussions whatsoever. Despite all the temptations, he acknowledged that Stoicism was the much needed framework for wisdom and virtues. Last but certainly not least, there is Seneca which is according to many the most fascinating philosopher in terms of his biography and writings in wisdom. Born in Spain and raised in Rome, Seneca pursued a career in politics and became a high-ranking financial clerk. His philosophical prouesse came to be when Emperor Claudius exiled him on the base of adultery. Approximately 8 years after, Seneca was back only to educate the most tyrannical emperors in the history of the Roman Empire, Nero. Although, Seneca's come-back proved to be quite profitable, his life came to a halt by order of his padawan emperor who feared a treacherous coup.
Topos
The 3 topoi are: Ethics, Logic and Physics. In Stoicism, Ethics is the central core which is supported by the 2 other topoi. One of the most common Stoic metaphors used to explain the relationship among the topoi:
"Or, again, they liken Philosophy to a fertile field: Logic being the encircling fence, Ethics the crop, Physics the soil or the trees."
Whereas Logic is necessary to acquire a repertoire of reasoning techniques, Physics provides a framework of understanding the world and both topoi are elementary to puzzle out how to best live a mortal's live or Ethics. Although contemporary ethics is relatively comparable to its Ancient Greek counterpart, physic was a combo of natural science and metaphysic while logic encompassed modern logic, epistemology, philosophy of language, and cognitive science.
Furthermore, Epictetus’ three disciplines, which are desire, action and assent, concerns on how a human ought to practice Stoicism. To practice proper desire is to practice control. Furthermore, by desiring what is in our control we avoid unnecessary disappointments and sufferings. Understanding what is in our control stems from an understanding how the world works (Physics) which results in an acceptance of how things are (courage) and an avoidance of desiring what we cannot have (temperance). Action refers to how one should behave toward others. This discipline also underlines that:
"One ought not to be free from affects like a statue, but ought to maintain the relations natural and acquired, as a pious man, as a son, as a father, as a citizen.”
Which basically means that, contrary to popular beliefs, Stoics are not stoic when emotional situations occur. Actions stems from Ethics as it elaborates on how one should behave which is related to justice. Lastly, assent is reflecting on one's impressions and reasoning which is connected to Logic. This is mediated by practicing the virtue of wisdom.
Courage, temperance, justice and wisdom are also referred to as the Stoic cardinal virtues.
Stoicism on aspects of Life
'Nuff said, in the following section we will look at some Stoic thinking and practicalities to get acquainted with its philosophy.
Wealth
Stoics consider materialistic wealth as a preferred indifferent, meaning that one would naturally prefer to be rich than poor. The problem with luxury, as argued by Seneca, is that it develops in us unnatural desires, which are increasingly difficult to fulfil resulting in one becoming slave of his own desires and wealth.
"It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor." — Seneca
“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” — Epictetus
The second trap one must avoid, it the association of wealth with self-worth which is beautifully captured in Seneca's Letter V:
“It is a great man who uses earthenware as if it were silver; he is no less great who uses silver as if it were earthenware.”
Lastly, wealth for oneself should be avoided and ways to benefit others should be found.
“The only wealth which you will keep forever is the wealth you have given away.” — Marcus Aurelius
Do you ask what is the proper limit to wealth? It is, first, to have what is necessary, and, second, to have what is enough.
Society
Philanthrôpia or love of mankind is related to the discipline of Action and states that humans must develop natural concerns for others in a way that is congruent with the exercise of the Stoic virtues.
“Men exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then or bear with them.” — Marcus Aurelius
Stoics were adamant in embracing their social role and as Emperor Marcus often reminded himself in his writings was to "get up in the morning and do the job of a human being" aka be useful to society. Loving mankind is a moral duty, regardless how, to put it lightly, unpleasant individuals and groups of individuals can be to the point of pure disgust.
Philanthrôpia is closely related to the concept of Oikeiôsis which is the process of making something your own. Although this may sound entirely ego-centrical, I assure you it is not. As an individual, we first get a sense of self and thus care for ourselves. Next, there is family which is basically part of who you are and hence your true self, resulting into an individual whom will take care and take responsibility of the family's wellbeing. This concept is further extended to our friends, colleagues, neighbours and gradually encompasses mankind as a whole.
“My city and my country, as I am Antoninus, is Rome; as I am a human being, it is the world” — Marcus Aurelius
Seneca believed that one could serve his/her particular place of birth and also humanity not only by refraining harm but also by promoting the good of others. Stoics, which are Cosmopolitans, believed that our duties to mankind transcends borders due to our shared humanity.
Friendship
Friendships of utility or the friendships initiated due to reciprocal advantage are considered as anti-Stoic and must be avoided.
One who seeks friendship for favourable occasions, strips it of all its nobility. — Seneca
A true Stoic should seek friendship as a way to be helpful and to practice the virtues so "that he may have someone by whose sick-bed he himself may sit, someone a prisoner in hostile hands whom he himself may set free."
“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” — Epictetus
It is quite clear that friends should be a source of positive energy from which you can tap and aspire everyday to become a better version of yourself but how should one choose friends? Seneca, in his letter "On True and False Friendship" has the answer distilled in friendship's purest form:
“If you consider any man a friend whom you do not trust as you trust yourself, you are mightily mistaken and you do not sufficiently understand what true friendship means… When friendship is settled, you must trust; before friendship is formed, you must pass judgment…Ponder for a long time whether you shall admit a given person to your friendship; but when you have decided to admit him, welcome him with all your heart and soul. Speak as boldly with him as with yourself… Regard him as loyal and you will make him loyal.” — Seneca
Self-Control
“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.” — Seneca
Similar to Buddhism, equanimity in the face of adversity is key and is achieved with a certain amount of discipline. This requires the occasional and honest introspection where questioning your actions and beliefs can lead to surprising conclusions. Mull over those conclusions, observe yourself without any judgement and gradually you will unlock the answers.
“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems” — Epictetus
With self-control you remove any imagined fears/angers, allowing you to be present and aware, not losing sight of what truly is. Failing to do so, results often in your fears/angers being projected on people whom will reflect, and thus introduce, those fears/angers in your life.
“Man is affected not by events but by the view he takes of them.” — Seneca
Accept what is. By being reactive you cede control and are negatively affected by an event while acknowledging that certain events are out of our control, we can convert this raw energy into a positive practice of Stoic virtues.
Happiness
“There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power or our will. ” — Epictetus
Happiness and self-control goes hand in hand. If you are what you eat then certainly, your thoughts are your mind's food. As such, by practicing positive thinking, we will see the world more easily in a positive light.
“Well-being is attained by little and little, and nevertheless is no little thing itself.” — Zeno
Never underestimate the small things in life as the small things do define larger and more important parts of life. Do not designate happiness on big goals and dreams, rather prescribe your happiness and satisfaction on small achievements.
“He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.” — Epictetus
Work
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. — Seneca
Indeed, the majority of things which are never done or tried is not because of its "supposed" difficulty but rather due to human's irrational imagination in terms of risk and fear. A person's imagined anxieties can quickly become greater than the actual endeavour. Again, control of one's fear is key.
“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests. ” — Epictetus
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus
Everything is an opportunity to practice virtue, embrace failure and seek obstacles which seem uncomfortable to develop your character/career.
Learning
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” — Epictetus
Be humble and regularly challenge your opinions. Focus on a person's character. Originated from Cicero's work, Stoics believed that our reasoning faculties were what truly defined humans. Race, political standings, belief did not matter and as such, every human deserves a minimum of respect. To elaborate on this, at birth every human receives a set of 2 personas. The first concerns with the basic traits of mankind, reasoning, skin color and speech while the second set is the unique mix of an individual's features, talents and abilities. When a person want to improve or change in whatever way possible, this change is imprinted in his/her 2nd persona. Focus on a person’s character = Focus on a person’s 2nd persona.
“To accuse others for one’s own misfortune is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one’s education is complete.” — Epictetus
Education brings freedom. Nurture a growth mindset and serve others.
Emotions
The Stoic path results in tranquility, joy and, yes, of emotions. Stoicism has a unique view on emotions which to this day is still considered as contemporary. In a nutshell, emotions are movements of the soul caused by how we perceive the world and its consequent rational judgement. The Stoic sage deprived of emotions, mega-rational and cold is simply a myth. Stoics believe in a healthy and clear mind to optimally practise its virtues. As such, in a healthy mind should only reside healthy emotions and all emotions, which mostly are passionate ones, that can give a distorted view of the world should be avoided.
In Stoicism it is primordial to be intentional about what one chooses to give value to. One should not frivolously form a belief about an ambiguous event which could have a detrimental impact on one's emotional well-being. Stoicism always requires a "Why?" and if the reasons are poor, one should give up those feelings.
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” — Seneca
Emotions are healthy, becoming enslaved to them is not. Don’t let a single positive or negative emotion affect you too much. Don’t let a single compliment go to your head and make you grow complacent, and don’t let a single insult get you down and make you think you’re a loser.
Travelling
Wanderlust, although it may look like a very contemporary hype, the contrary is quite true minus the selfies and hashtags that is. Already thousands of years ago, people traveled to escape their boring equivalent of a 9 to 5 and escape other perennial hardships that didn’t quite disappear with the development of our civilisation.
“Do you ask why such flight does not help you? It is because you flee along with yourself.” — Seneca
Suffice to say, to travel for luxury and/or escape is not really appreciated in Stoicism. It was of course encouraged when the reasons were, like all important experiences, for education and/or improvement.
As for each aspect of life, the Stoic response to each and every impulse, desire and (re)action is: Why?
Stoicism's impact on Western philosophy
Relatively unknown, Stoicism had quite the impact on Western philosphical thought. The list of great thinkers affected by Stoicism is quite long: Descartes, Thomas More, Spinoza, Rousseau, Adam Smith, Leibniz, Kant, Justus Lipsius, Victor Frankl and Hume to name a few.
Stoicism states that the basis for happiness and the good life depends on us and is derived from virtues. This belief is also shared by Kant, Sartre and Nietzsche. Furthermore, Stoicism also gives lots of importance to shared happiness to our fellow citizen and was a great proponent to Cosmopolitanism. Moreover, Stoics view human beings as an integral part of nature and as such, we have a moral duty to care for our planet and animals.
Ranging from Bill Clinton, G. Washington, Schwarzenegger, Obama, JK Rowling and many others, all found some comfort in Stoicism.
Conclusion
Stoicism is really about recognising and being aware of one's emerging emotion in the present moment, followed by a rational and conscious decision to not let the emerging emotion get the upper hand in terms of your behavioural response. Furthermore, do not fall into the materialistic fallacy of which our modern consumption society is built upon but rather practice gratitude of what and who you have in your life. Try to emit a joie de vivre for all people whom you encounter on a daily basis. Finally, do not get lost in meaningless semantic debate on philosophical terms but rather walk the talk, engage in frequent introspection, ask the "Why?", adapt yourself so that you become an ever-improving human and with it have a positive impact on society in small but meaningful ways.
Reading material
The classics:
The contemporaries:
- The Daily Stoics
- A Guide to the Good Life
- A New Stoicism
Additional quotes
"Fate leads the willing, and drags along the reluctant."
"No person hands out their money to passers-by, but to how many do each of us hand out our lives! We’re tight-fisted with property and money, yet think too little of wasting time, the one thing about which we should all be the toughest misers."
“Circumstances don’t make the man, they only reveal him to himself.”
“People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them.”
“No man is free who is not master of himself.”
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ”
We are always complaining that our days are few, and acting as though there would be no end of them.
Hang on to your youthful enthusiasms — you’ll be able to use them better when you’re older.
You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.
“It does not matter what you bear, but how you bear it.”
“The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”
