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The Stoic philosophy prizes contemplative preparation for life’s inevitable challenges, including the impending specter of death. We cannot control when or how death will meet us, but we can control how much it affect us. Marcus Aurelius, a famed Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor, once stated, “Death, like birth, is a secret of Nature.” Such a view embodies the intrinsic Stoic approach to death.
At the heart of this preparation lies the practice of premeditatio malorum, or the premeditation of evils. The aim of this practice is not to induce anxiety, but rather to cultivate resilience in the face of adversities. Stoics cultivate an ever-present awareness of death, not because they desire it, but to ensure that they are not surprised or disturbed when it arrives.
Mental discipline, resilience, and acceptance are key aspects of the Stoic mindset. As Marcus Aurelius reminds us, “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” The Stoic philosopher does not view death as a horrifying end, but instead as an inevitable natural process. With this mindset, one is better equipped to face death with courage and even equanimity.
The Stoic approach to death transcends mere acceptance – it embraces death as an integral part of life and as a motivator to live more meaningfully. This perspective does not come from a morbid indulgence in death but from its exact opposite: a celebratory love for life.
Viewing death as a motivator revolves around the awareness of the impermanence of life and our finite time. As Marcus Aurelius reminded himself, “Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what’s left and live it properly.” Epictetus, another notable stoic, echoed these sentiments, encouraging us to “never postpone anything. Life is short, and time claims its share.”
Memento Mori, a Latin phrase meaning ‘remember you must die’, is a central concept in Stoicism. Stoics utilized the phrase to remind themselves of their mortality, encouraging them to seize the day and value the life they have while they still possess it.
All things in life, including life itself, are ephemeral. This understanding of impermanence is a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy. Recognizing this fact doesn’t promote a pessimistic view of life but instead encourages a greater appreciation for both life and death.
Life and death are part of the unceasing flow of Nature. The ebb and flow of life represent the delicately balanced dance between creation and destruction, a rhythm we are all part of. Reflecting upon this, Marcus Aurelius stated, “Time is like a river made up of the events which happen, and a violent stream; for as soon as a thing has been seen, it is carried away, and another comes in its place, and this will be carried away too.”
By embracing the transitory nature of everything, Stoics cultivate a deep appreciation for the present moment. With the conscious awareness that nothing lasts forever, every experience, every moment, every connection becomes infinitely more precious.
As sentient beings, we humans tend to superimpose our notions of good and bad on different aspects of life, one of them being death. We view death through a lens of fear, perceiving it as an ultimate evil. Stoics, however, vehemently disagree with this perspective. They insist that death is inherently indifferent. It is beyond our control, and hence should be regarded as a neutral occurrence. A prominent stoic, Epictetus, once said, “Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the view which they take of them.” To apply this wisdom to our understanding of death is to redefine our relationship with mortality.
Clear your thoughts and follow the wisdom of Stoic philosophers – to perceive death as evil is to have fallen into the trap of misguided human emotions stemming from fear. These fears are primarily rooted in the unknown, the unexpected, and the uncontrollable aspect of death. Yet, ‘fear’ and ‘death’ are not necessarily interconnected, as Stoics believe. It is not death itself that incites fear, but the narratives we tend to weave around it. The stoic wisdom resides in making a clear distinction between the event and our judgement of that event.
The Stoics preached the doctrine of ‘Dichotomy of Control’, postulating that some things are in our control while others are not. Among the things not in our control, according to them, is death. Epictetus once clarified this by saying, “Some things are up to us and some are not.” Stoics argue that death is a product of nature’s design, a universal truth not governed by mortal influence. It is a natural process which falls out of the realm of human control. Consequently, it is not just futile but also unjustifiable to label such an event as good or bad. Instead, stoicism suggests that we should train ourselves to remain detached from occurrences beyond our reach, focusing instead on our response to them.
Stoicism advises us not to fret about the future, especially death, which has not yet occurred and may not happen in the way we imagine. Instead, the discipline urges us to absorb ourselves in the present and appreciate every moment. This mirror’s Epictetus’s words that, “Men are not disturbed by things, but by the views which they take of them.”
Fearing death often means living in a constant state of anxiety and apprehension, never fully experiencing the joy of the present moment. But what point is there in fearing something that is inevitable and yet uncertain in its occurrence? Stoics urge us to relinquish this unfounded fear and to live each day as if it were the last. As per Epictetus, “Don’t just say you have lived long; show you have lived long. Don’t merely survive while you are alive; truly live.”
A fine way to honor life is by living it in the present moment, the only moment that genuinely belongs to us. Stoic philosophy underlines that the more we indulge in fear of death, the greater the chance we miss out living our lives in a profoundly fulfilling way. Epictetus advises us to “Demand not that events should happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and your life will be serene.” Engaging with the present moment, devoid of fear, allows us to find serenity amid life’s impermanence.
Within the realm of stoic philosophy, the importance of personal values and virtues cannot be overstated. A noble and virtuous character is admired and encouraged, especially in the face of death. Stoics believe that it is not when or how we die that is significant, but what kind of person we are when we die. Death is merely a natural consequence of living; it is the manner of our living that truly matters.
Stoicism holds that leading a virtuous, purposeful life is most rewarding and beneficial to ourselves and others. Stoicism sees virtues as qualities that oversight the fleetingness of mortality. Epictetus, a proponent of virtuous living, warned, “Never say about anything, ‘I have lost it,’ but instead, ‘I have returned it.’ Is your child dead? It has been returned. Is your wife dead? She has been returned.” This indicates that the Stoics placed paramount importance on our actions and attitude rather than our transient physical existence.
Stoicism encourages us to fortify ourselves with virtues, reminding us that mortality is inseparable from the human condition. When faced with death, the wealth of virtues we have cultivated will provide peace, resilience, and contentment. Epictetus instructed, “Lead the good life and, as the days pass, you will come to understand that virtue is not about lofty ideas but about consistency between one’s actions and the logos of nature.” The only true richness, according to Stoic view, is a virtuous ethos that empowers us to face the finality of our existence without fear or regret.
The Stoic belief system perceives death not as an end, not as an abyss into which life falls, but a benign, natural process that follows the laws of the universe. Understandably so, for every living being that has ever existed—from the smallest microorganism to the mightiest beast—has succumbed to this inevitability. Stoic philosophers teach us that death is merely the fruition of a journey begun at birth. It is a return to nature, a reversion to the state of the universe before life emerged.
Stoicism asserts that the universe is a rational and ordered entity, guided by an inherent sense of logic called the logos. Marcus Aurelius frequently referred to this concept in his writings: “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” Life and death are seen as the intertwined phenomena, inseparable and inextricable, necessary for the ordered working of the universe. To resist death would mean opposing the natural order—an exercise in futility.
Death, in the stoic view, is a continuation of the cycle that includes birth, growth, decay, and reincorporation into the elements of the universe. Stoics encouraged us to embrace death, not as a distasteful conclusion, but as a peaceful return to our origin. Seneca once reflected, “We live in the midst of a universe to which we return when we die.” This cycle-of-life perspective helps free us from the shackles of fear and prejudice against death, opening our hearts to a more tranquil acceptance of our finale.
Stoic philosophers, through their meditations and writings, have offered a wealth of wisdom on the topic of death. Their profound and often comforting perspective can provide a solace in the face of mortality. Given below are eloquently expressed insights from prominent stoics that reveal their enlightened stance on death:
“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” – Marcus Aurelius. The Roman emperor vividly communicates the importance of focusing on the essence of life rather than the inevitability of death.
“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.” – Seneca. In this astute observation, Seneca guides us to reassess our priorities, implying that an obsession with immortality can deprive us of the pleasures of the present.
“I am not afraid of death because I am not afraid of anything I don’t understand. When I start to think about it, I order my coffee with cream and sugar.” – Epictetus. Epictetus, with his practical wisdom, urges us to embrace the unknown and calmly enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
The Stoic perspective on death is vastly comprehensive and thought-provoking. It encourages us to view the inevitability of death as a part of natural existence and to embrace it without fear or resentment. From anticipating our mortality to understanding the transient nature of all things, from treating death as a neutral event to focusing on the present, stoicism sets a wise and comforting approach towards coping with the concept of death. The epic words of the stoic philosophers instruct us to live virtuously and fearlessly, paving a path for a serene and accepting mindset towards death.
Stoicism encourages us to view death as a natural phenomenon, not an abnormality to be feared or rejected. As Zeno once reflected, “It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but only retire a little from sight and afterward return again.” Instead of fearing death, stoics suggest we acknowledge it as a distant, inevitable part of life—an event that gives substance and meaning to our existence.
Stoicism guides us to cultivate virtues and wisdom in our life, for it is these qualities that will remain with us until our end. As Seneca proposed, “It is not the man who has too little who is poor, but the one who hankers after more.” Our acts of kindness, our patience, our love—these are the treasures we gather throughout our existence, aiding us when we confront death. In the face of mortality, stoicism empowers us to live fully, courageously and meaningfully. For, when we eventually meet death, we do so with an enriched spirit and a sense of fulfillment.
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