Philosophy, as a field of study, is often conceived as something unpractical. A thing that only has merits in contemplation but has no implication in daily living. However, this notion, just like any other idea, contains only a sliver of truth. Philosophy remains an armchair activity if it is really done only in contemplation. We forget that the other half of the responsibility lies in ourselves, in the way we translate philosophical ideas into real world actions.
Philosophy must have practical implications. Although it involves thinking most of the time, we should not forget that the reason Philosophy is there in the first place is to serve as a discipline that will help us discover, make sense, and interact with reality in a harmonious way. Through it, we know lessons that we can use to live justly, courageously, moderately, and wisely.
There is one Philosophy in particular that seeks this same reconciliation. A school of thought that has seen a revival in interest in our contemporary world. It continues to influence world leaders, personal development teachers and authors today. Mainly because of its easily appliable and relatable ideas, but also because of the inspiring figures that founded it.
Drawn again from the wisdom of the ancients, Let's take a look at the Philosophy of Stoicism.
The Origins of Stoicism
Like most philosophies, Stoicism originated in Greece, and it has its roots in the teachings of Socrates. Embodying the idea of virtue, Socrates was a model for the Stoic thought. His commitment to wisdom and calmness in the face of death continued to inspire his fellow thinkers long after his time.
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| Socrates, 470-399 BC |
It was at one instance that Zeno of Citium (336-225 BC), a former merchant turned Philosopher, came upon catalogues of philosophical ideas concerning Socrates's teachings while visiting a bookshop that Stoicism began to be organized as a school of thought. Having lost a great deal of wealth due to shipwreck, Zeno turned to Philosophy in order to make sense of the tragedy that befell him. But he would be more than a student, Zeno would become Stoicism's founder and would went on to teach ideas and ways of living that would serve as foundations for a Philosophy that would ripple across millennia.
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| Zeno of Citium |
After the decline of Greece, Stoicism seeped its way into the culture of its successor, the Roman empire. Here, it would gain utmost reverence and prominence due to it's influence on Roman senators, philosophers, and emperors. Most of the canon writings which serve as Stoicism's literature would also come in this period. Notably: Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, an emperor's personal journal; Letters from a Stoic by Seneca; and Enchiridion and other discourses by the slave-Philosopher Epictetus.
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| Clockwise: Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca |
Stoicism would remain a foundational Philosophy, influencing not only the Romans, but the succeeding zeitgeists like Christianity, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and making its way even to the ideas of our contemporary age, particularly in its recent flourishing in the self-help movement.
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism puts primary attention to the concept of virtue, or how one ought to live in order to have a good life. Stoics view reality as a single rational thing-complex and everchanging yet orderly and purposeful. They call this universal order, Logos. Aligning one's way of living to this universal structure is what the stoics see as the highest good. It is how one can achieve Eudaimonia, the Greek's idea of true happiness.
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| Logos in Greek Characters. Defined by Encyclopedia Britannica as "the divine reason implicit in the cosmos, ordering and giving it form and meaning." |
In practice, the way of the stoic entails living according to the four cardinal virtues: justice, fortitude, temperance and prudence. These virtues also serve as it's core pillars. Harmonious relationship to the Logos is enough to attain happiness according to the Stoics. Therefore, external things such as wealth, pleasure or position in society are seen not as ends but rather as temporary means to happiness that we can't cling into. Because by doing so, we will hold into things that not only are temporary but also things that we have no utmost control over.
Although the logos encompasses everything (including all living beings), the stoics consider individual humans as conscious agents with the capacity to act freely. In this regard, a dichotomy of control is posited. There is the will of the Logos and the will of man. In man's limited view, the Logos may seem indifferent and irrational. This is why we get upset and angry when misfortunes happen to us. Thus, being a Stoic requires coping with the fact of our limited view of the universe, and that things happen not because they are inherently bad but because they are according to a universal reason that is far more superior than our often self-centric view of reality.
The Logos's will remains above all our worries, anxieties and longing for control. Considering this, Stoicism points out that it is our discernments, our expectations, and reactions to reality that inflicts on us the most disappointment and suffering. Our interpretations of ideas, events, things, and people are the ones that we should be most wary about. Here's Epictetus summarizing it best:
It is not things that troubles us, but our judgment about things.
As conscious agents, we have utmost control of our interiors: our psychology, our interpretations and our judgments. By aligning our inner faculties to that of the Logos, we will learn to be steadfast, indifferent to external events whether they are good or bad. We can remain calm and emotionally undisturbed, knowing that there will always be a higher order at work, and it brings with it the highest good. This attitude of maturity (in religions, this can be considered as faith) is the foundation of the stoic ideal.
In relation to practical living
It is the Stoic trait of developing emotional and mental fortitude that caused Stoicism's popularity in recent years. With the complexity that we are facing in present times concerning numerous things such as technology, climate problems, health crises, and global political tensions, we can't help but feel disturbed and anxious. This is where Stoicism become useful. Adhering to its principles trains us to be emotionally and mentally mature. Specifically, it makes us discern that what's making us uncomfortable is our effort to control things that we have no control over. We can't control how technology will run it's course. We can't solve the climate problem overnight. Health crises can happen anytime without our knowing. And global political tensions are out of our sphere of immediate influence.
Stoicism reminds us that what we can do control is our judgment, and by doing so we will in turn shape our emotions and subsequent actions in a calm and rational way. We will be freed from the slavery of our passions, errors in thoughts, and irrational ways of looking at the world. Seeing instead from the perspective of the Logos: where everything happens according to a pre-determined universal goodness, in whatever form it may manifest.
Crying over spilled milk
In my experience, the principles of Stoicism is helpful in reframing negative situations. For instance whenever I find myself in tough problems, I now instinctively ask "how much of this problem is within my control?" In most cases, I would see the scope of my influence and I would be able to let go of the things that are out of my reach. Did it rain during an important day where I'm supposed to go out? The rain is not within my control therefore a reschedule would suffice. I would not dwell on the negative emotions that it is stirring up within me. Did I lose an important document, a key or an amount of money? No amount of anger, hate, and loathing will bring them back. Most importantly, Stoicism makes me see the importance of taking action. I now always ask "What is the thing I can immediately do to better my situation?" rather than asking "Why did this situation happen to me?"
Of course, it is also in our control to be prepared and vigilant in order not to be in unfortunate situations. But what is our our mere sense of control in contrast to the unpredictable and complicated nature of reality? Often times, no matter how much we prepare, situations always gets the better of us. It's just how things are. It's just how life is. Therefore changing our discernments instead of our reactions is the only thing that will bring us true control. This is the power we can gain by disciplining our minds, this is the power that Stoicism allows for all of us.
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Conclusion
Stoicism is a testament that Philosophy can always find its way into action. It has helped me be mature and has served as an emotional guide whenever I find myself in troubling situations. I hope more people would benefit from its timeless ideas and practices.
For people interested, I suggest reading the works of Ryan Holiday as a starting point. Particularly, the book, The Daily Stoic. This book contains a collection of Stoic quotes aided by complementary explanations by the author. It surely is the perfect introduction book for modern day aspiring stoics.
References:
Articles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno_of_Citium
https://www.britannica.com/topic/logos
Photos:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bust_of_Marcus_Aurelius_%282%29.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logos
https://depositphotos.com/vector-images/socrates-portrait.html
https://excellencereporter.com/2021/09/23/zeno-of-citium-on-the-wisdom-and-the-purpose-of-life/
Youtube channels/videos:
Tedxtalks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9OCA6UFE-0
Academy of Ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wipudlxSFqo
Micheal Sugrue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auuk1y4DRgk&t=91s
The School of Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu7n0XzqtfA
Freedom in thought: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j846kuqh1F8
Then and now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZu-iwGZek&t=2s
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