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The Stoic philosophy has been routinely misinterpreted throughout history. Generally picture as a stone-faced individual, unfazed by the world’s pleasures or pains, the Stoic carries unfortunate mythos of coldness and heartlessness. Severe misconceptions prevent many from the understanding and potential adoption of this life-affirming philosophy. The Stoic way of life does not render practitioners barren of feeling or cold-hearted, instead teaching the cultivation and management of emotions within the scope of logic and reason, always striving for tranquil states of being.
“There is no great genius without some touch of madness”, muses Seneca, alerting us to the fact that Stoicism is not about suppressing our inherent humanity, but directing it towards rationality. We are humans, creatures of volatile emotion, but we are also reasoning beings. Stoicism instructs that we must let the latter guide the former, not dispensing with emotion but understanding and controlling it. This is the stepping stone to comprehending what Stoicism truly espouses, far from the myth of a stone face.
Unfortunately, the conception that Stoicism is a call for emotional abnegation runs rampant. This could not be farther from the truth. It is not about discarding your emotions but learning to understand and handle them logically. A Stoic’s goal is not to hide from feelings but to confront them, dissect them, and see them for what they are. This thoughtful process helps in maintaining a balanced demeanor in times of joy or sorrow, finding equilibrium between elation and despair.
The Stoic viewpoint isn’t that emotions must be expelled but that their overbearing influence must be limited. Seneca postulated, “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality”. Emotions are often bloated with hysterical imaginings rather than stark reality. They skew our perceptions, leading us away from the path of rationality. A Stoic doesn’t aspire to be a piece of petrified wood, devoid of any feelings. They aim to be an individual who experiences emotions, understands them and is not led astray by them. The goal is not to refuse to feel but to refuse to be mastered by feeling.
Another idea shrouding Stoicism is that it encourages a joyless, robotic existence. Stoicism does not necessitate that we scrub our lives of pleasure. On the contrary, Stoics enthusiastically embrace joy and tranquility. They engage deeply in life, focusing on attaining tranquility and living freely in accordance with nature. Stoics relish simple pleasures, viewing them not merely as distractions, but as essential constituents of a fulfilled existence.
The Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca said: “He who is brave is free”. In line with this, Stoics are fervently committed to the idea of freedom. They were pioneers of the belief in individual autonomy and the freedom of choice. While the untrained mind is hostage to its whims, a Stoic learns to take control, choosing responses carefully, and thus attaining freedom from distress. This embrace of freedom forms the backbone of their philosophical approach. Contrary to popular belief, Stoicism is far from a lifeless assemblage of rules. It’s a vibrant and vivid philosophy that fervently embraces the joys, freedom, and complexity of human life.
The stereotype of the Stoic as a passive entity, standing unresponsive in the face of life’s commotions is profoundly misplaced. Stoicism is anything but passive. By adopting the Stoic mindset, we become active participants in shaping our realities rather than mere spectators. To assert this, consider a quote from the Stoic philosopher, emperor Marcus Aurelius: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Stoics recognize the necessity to act instead of react, to take control instead of relinquishing it to external influences. True Stoicism encourages understanding our sphere of influence and acting within it, while accepting factors beyond our control. Stoics focus on actionable elements in their lives, they take charge rather than let events dictate their responses. The Stoic does not stand lifelessly, they consciously engage with life, tackling obstacles head-on with wisdom and courage, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
In fact, the core principles of Stoicism revolve around active virtues—Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Temperance. Each of these calls for thoughtful, proactive actions in various life spheres. Marcus Aurelius reinforced this notion in Meditations, stating: “Don’t go expecting Plato’s Republic; be satisfied with the smallest step forward, and regard even that result as no mean achievement.” Here, he encourages us to take step-by-step actions towards the application of Stoic virtues, no matter how small these steps may be.
Stoicism, therefore, is a call to action—concise, deliberate, and in line with nature and virtue, keeping in mind what is within our power and what is not. Only then can we maintain equanimity, tranquility, and freedom, the ultimate goals of the stoic lifestyle.
Marcus Aurelius, in his noted work Meditations, wrote one of the most insightful quotes on Stoic realism: “Objective judgment, now, at this very moment. Unselfish action, now, at this very moment. Willing acceptance—now, at this very moment—of all external events: That’s all you need.” Here, Aurelius accentuates not just the novelty of the present moment but also the urgent necessity to remain just and fair in our thoughts and actions, acknowledging and accepting the ongoing reality.
A fundamental Stoic practice predicated on realism is the Dichotomy of Control. This practice often misunderstood as a recognition of life’s harsh realities and powerlessness, in fact, empowers individuals by distinguishing between elements within their control and those outside their sway. Adopting this outlook, Stoics cultivate internal resilience and strength in the face of adversity, fostering optimism and acceptance despite external negatives.
Many perceive Stoicism as a one-size-fits-all solution to life’s problems. But Stoicism was never intended as a substitute for professional help or treatment, nor a miraculous fix for all of life’s woes. Stoicism is a philosophy, a way of living that values rationality and virtue above all else. It offers frameworks to better understand ourselves and navigate life’s challenges, but it does not—cannot—promise to eliminate these challenges.
Aurelius reminded us: “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Stoicism, by providing us with practical wisdom, fosters our internal strength while equipping us with realistic expectations about what is within our control and what is not. It is this clarity, however, that also brings to the forefront the limitations of Stoicism. It cannot hope to control or change unforeseen events or external conditions, it can only prepare us to meet them with fortitude, resilience, and level-headedness.
While Stoicism is undoubtedly beneficial in maintaining inner peace, balancing emotions, and fostering resilience, it is complementary to—and not a replacement for—other forms of help such as professional guidance, therapy, or medication. We must take care not to extol Stoicism as an absolute, but appreciate it as a versatile and adaptive philosophy that can profoundly enrich our lives.
Another widespread misconception about Stoicism is the belief that it discourages the consideration of the past and the future, urging individuals to focus solely on the present. On the contrary, Stoicism encourages a nuanced understanding of time, urging individuals to interpret the past and the future from a constructive and pragmatic perspective.
Epictetus, one of the most renowned Stoic philosophers, once remarked, “From now, embrace simplicity, indifference towards the things which lie outside the control of your will, avoidance of frivolity, and a positive acceptance of your present condition and everything it throws at you.” In this statement, Epictetus is promoting resilience, reminding us to concentrate on things within our control. It does not imply casting aside contemplations of the past or the future but encourages us to soberly acknowledge them without constant worry or regret.
Stoicism advocates learning from the past. It appreciates the past for its function as a tutor, providing valuable lessons and insights. Stoics are not held captive by their history; instead, they interpret past events and experiences with wisdom and prudence, drawing knowledge and strength to present decisions and actions.
Regarding the future, Stoicism is not an adversary to planning or anticipating. Stoics acknowledge we cannot control the future, yet they consider it prudent to harbour reasonable expectations and prepare accordingly. It is a philosophy that balances optimistic planning with the gravity of reality, reminding us, as Epictetus said: “Do not demand that things happen as you want them to, but wish them to happen as they do, and all will be well with you.”
Some believe Stoicism is accessible only to the intellectual elite, and its principles are too esoteric for the common individual. This presumption couldn’t be further from fact. Stoicism is a philosophy inclusive of all individuals, regardless of their educational background or intellectual capacity.
Epictetus, born a slave yet emerging as a beacon of Stoic philosophy, emphasized that wisdom and virtue are independent of wealth, power, and intellect: “Virtue does not depend on a professor’s logic and arguments…It requires a taught and finely tuned character.” It suggests Stoic principles are not confined to an educated elite but are available to anyone willing to cultivate their character and wisdom.
A profound beauty of Stoicism lies in its practicality—it doesn’t merely offer lofty theories, but guides that can be acted upon in daily life. Stoicism encourages individuals to focus on their actions and reactions, emphasizing principles such as acceptance, resilience, and virtue, principles that can be embraced by anyone, irrespective of their intellectual stature.
Stoicism is often mistaken as synonymous with masculinity, primarily due to its emphasis on resilience and self-discipline—traits stereotypically linked with males. However, Stoicism extends beyond gender boundaries. Stoic virtues—wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance—are universal, essential for all human beings irrespective of their gender.
Epictetus insisted, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” This wisdom is equally applicable and beneficial to both men and women. Thus, Stoicism isn’t a philosophy designed for a particular sex; instead, it’s a human philosophy that speaks to all individuals willing to embrace its tenets.
The perception linking Stoicism with masculinity arises from a misunderstanding—the mistaken belief that Stoicism encourages emotional repression, a trait stereotypically associated with males. Stoicism, however, advises emotional understanding and control, not repression. It propounds that one should not be enslaved to emotions, but should objectively inspect them, attaining peace through rational understanding, a skill imperative for all, irrespective of sex.
The prevalent notion that Stoicism encourages atheism and social reticence is a gross misinterpretation. Stoic philosophers highly regarded relationships and placed particular emphasis on the concept of Oikeiosis (affinity). This principle introduced by Hierocles, an early Stoic, essentially implies a rational progression of self-interest towards prosocial conduct and the promotion of societal welfare. “It is the duty of a man to love his own wife and children and friends, and to acquiesce in the natural results of such relationships…”
, he writes. Stoic microcosm thus encompasses family ties, friendships, acquaintances and eventually stretches out to the macrocosm — the shared human community.
The Stoic philosopher Seneca regards friendship as one of life’s greatest joys: “No one can live a happy life, or even a bearable one, without the assistance of others.”
Social relations, for Stoics, are not merely dalliances; they are a medium to transmit and receive wisdom, a canvas to absorb and create meaningful experiences.
In Epictetus’ Discourses, primary familial bonds are epitomized as the cornerstone of social relationships, providing us with the initial understanding of love, duty, and care. “What can be more delightful than to be so dear to your wife, as to be on that account dearer to yourself.”
According to him, family not only nurtures us but also aids us to learn some core virtues of Stoicism: love, duty, respect, and compassion.
The Stoics perceived humans as residents of two communities: the local or native community and the community of human argument and intelligence, i.e., the community of humankind as presented by Marcus Aurelius in Meditations. This dual-residence, to Stoics, provides us with an opportunity to express mutual allyship and kindness amongst all individuals. Marcus Aurelius writes in his Meditations: “We were born for co-operation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of upper and lower teeth.”
Stoicism has been dubbed as anti-material quelling desires and appetites. While Stoics do warn against unchecked desires and overattachment to material possessions, they aren’t strictly anti-material. The Stoic view, as propounded by Seneca, posits wealth as a preferred indifferent. It’s something that’s not intrinsically bad nor good, but its value or detriment hinges on how it is used.
Seneca opined that wealth held no inherent evil; the evil lies in its misuse or the soul’s insatiable craving for it. “For desire of wealth can befall even the penniless individual, and the ambition of one who has no position to lose can nevertheless be aroused.”
He encourages us to distinguish between need, which pertains to survival and well-being, and want, linked with excess, craving, and greed. Thus, Stoics appreciate the utility of wealth but caution against its dangers.
Stoic philosophy encourages a balanced attitude towards wealth and material possessions. While Stoics do not condemn wealth outright, they are wary of the potential distractions and complications that excessive wealth and luxury could bring. As with other aspects of life, Stoics advocate for moderation and mindfulness when it comes to dealing with wealth and possessions. As Marcus Aurelius noted, “Everything we need for our happiness is in ourselves. If you have few resources, it means that you need few.”
Yielding to the core principles of Stoicism can be a significant determinant of our outlook towards life. But to reap the full benefits of this philosophy, it’s paramount to understand Stoicism in its true essence outside the realm of misconceptions – as a philosophy of resilience, virtue, and human kinship. Stoicism does not reduce us to robotic, emotionless beings shackled by rigidity; instead, it frees us to embrace the beauty and challenges that life presents willingly, armed with wisdom and virtue.
In closing, one must remember that practising Stoicism is not a destination; it’s a lifelong journey. It’s a continuous pursuit of wisdom, the mastery of our reactions, the cultivation of virtue, and the embrace of life’s happenstance with courage and humility. To quote Marcus Aurelius: “The longest-lived and the shortest-lived man, when they come to their end, lose exactly the same thing.”
This speaks to the essence of Stoic wisdom – the recognition of our common humanity, our shared destiny, and, ultimately, the sobering and liberating understanding of our finitude.
May the Stoic path, if chosen, lead you to tranquility, resilience, and purpose.
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