Stoicism: a classic current from which we can learn

Stoicism is one of the philosophical currents with the most historical tradition. Zeno of Citium, after studying his most important past and contemporary philosophers, such as Socrates and Aristotle, shaped a new way of facing vital challenges and setbacks.

The precepts of this current are built around self-control, achieved through distancing oneself from reality. Thus, the intensity of our emotions is prevented from triggering.

The Stoics maintained that emotions, such as fear, envy, or passionate sexual attachments, caused us to err in our judgments. On the other hand, the wise man—a person who had achieved moral and intellectual perfection—would not suffer them.

Seneca and Epictetus emphasize that the wise man is immune to misfortune and that virtue is sufficient for happiness. The famous expression “stoic calm” perhaps summarizes the general idea of ​​its philosophical essence..

Stoicism and the Stoic school

The Stoic school was founded around 300 BC. C. by the hand of Zeno de Citium. Zeno was an avid connoisseur of the Socratic dialogues, studied under the tutelage of Crates the Cynic and received influence and teachings from Plato’s Academy and the Megaric school. Already in his day, he competed with the school founded a little earlier in Athens by Epicurus.

As the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy points out, The name derives from the porch (stoa poikilê) in the Agora of Athens. There, the first generation of Stoic philosophers congregated and gave their lectures. It was the most important school of the Hellenistic period, and its popularity also continued during the Roman era.

In fact, many of the representatives of Stoicism, such as Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, are Romans. Although it has had ups and downs, it has always been present directly or indirectly in different currents of thought. His interest was reborn in the course of the 20th century, as well as at the beginning of the 21st century.

We appreciate the latter, for example, in the vocabulary and ideas that predominate in today’s society. Resilience, peace of mind, acceptance (of the past or negative things), self-actualization, self-reliance, happiness and others are some that serve to illustrate the impact of Stoicism in the modern era.

Stoic principles to achieve well-being

As the Encyclopedia Britannica points out, The Stoics believed that perception is the pillar of true knowledge. Based on this principle, philosophical doctrine was aimed at investigating how to better order one’s own life and thereby avoid the excesses of human nature. Especially, those excesses that translate into restlessness and anxiety.

In general, the theses of Stoicism are the following:

Stoic taciturnity: belief that problems and emotions should be hidden from others.Stoic resistance: belief that physical suffering must be endured without complaint.Stoic Composure: conviction that emotions and behavior must be controlled in situations that generate stress.Stoic serenity: conviction that one should refrain from experiencing strong emotions.Stoic indifference to death: postulates that death should not be feared or avoided.

Leaving aside his theories regarding physics, logic and rhetoric, ethics, morality, virtue and happiness are central components of his thought. We compile some teachings from the Stoics that you can apply in your daily life. We adapt some of its postulates to combine them with today’s society.

Stay calm in the midst of chaos

In turbulent times it is easy to fall into anxiety. The Stoics fought for tranquility and believed that our minds are powerful and create their own heaven or hell..

In this way, the Stoics considered that there are things that are under our control (such as emotions and feelings) and others that we cannot control (external processes and events). Therefore, we must focus so that the seconds do not interfere with the first. Maintaining calm in the midst of chaos is undoubtedly one of the characteristics of Stoic philosophy.

Think about the present

To live a full and satisfying life that is headed towards well-being or happiness (eudaimonia), we must leave the past behind and avoid focusing on the future. The present is what matters, since The rest are just burdens that burden the mind and cloud it with emotions such as anger, fear or frustration..

Follow a virtuous life

Virtue is the perfected condition of human reason, so that it is linked to knowledge and wisdom. The latter understood comprehensively; that is, the knowledge and wisdom necessary and sufficient to live in accordance with nature and be happy. There are many Stoic virtuesalthough the most important are the following:

Temperance or moderationophrosune) Courage or bravery (andreia)Justice (dikaiosune)Practical wisdom (phronesis)Self-control (sophrosune)

According to the doctrine, whoever acquires one virtue acquires them all at once; since they form an intricate and inseparable bond. Of course, within them we find many more. Self-control, for example, includes qualities such as modesty, order, decorum, and self-control.

Don’t cling to people or objects

Like other philosophical doctrines, The Stoics postulate that happiness is not found in things, but in enjoying a virtuous life. A virtuous man is one who understands that excessive attachment to external agents (people, objects, cities and even moments) only gets in the way of his happiness.

This is one of the most misunderstood principles, as it is often interpreted as living a life turning one’s back on emotions, love or interpersonal relationships. Nothing is further from reality. The goal of a Stoic is for good feelings to prevail within him (eupatheia)so that gratitude (eucharistia), joy (chara) and love for others (philosophy) must be present.

The problem arises when, by surrendering to external agents, all these emotions generate a dependence on them. Since happiness can only come from within, when this happens the person would stop being happy. The Stoic embraces a life in company, but does not allow his well-being to be conditioned by the presence or absence of someone or something.

Your personal development depends on cooperation with others

Contrary to beliefs that Stoic philosophy promotes individualism, its ethics and morals actually encourage cooperation with others. After all, You cannot be a virtuous man when you live with your back turned to society..

Regarding this, the Greeks used the term idiot (ἰδιώτης) to refer to one who did not deal with public affairs, only his own or private ones. Being useful to others is one of the ways to achieve Stoic virtues, and In the process the person can achieve self-realization.

Stoicism in psychology

Although Stoicism was born and developed as a philosophical school, it has had a great impact on other disciplines. Among them, psychology. For example, Victor Frankl’s logotherapy, Aaron T. Beck’s cognitive-behavioral therapy and Albert Ellis’s rational emotive behavioral therapy draw directly or indirectly on their postulates.

In fact, there are those who look to the Western origins of mindfulness therapy in ancient Rome, specifically in its exponents of the Stoic school. Much of psychotherapy to address anxiety and depression is built on Stoic philosophy. Despite this, It cannot be said that Stoicism is a therapy.

Stoic philosophy and its impact on well-being

As with other philosophical currents, it is not necessary to assume all Stoic postulates. You can take those paradigms that best fit your life., either to modify certain patterns or to improve areas that you want to enhance. We invite you to read more about this philosophy and the impact it has had on the construction of modern thought.

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