Stoicism

Origin Founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium (~300 BCE).   
Core Idea: Live in accordance with nature —understand what you can control and accept what you cannot.
Key Texts: Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, Seneca’s letters, Epictetus’s Enchiridion

Illustration of stoics and stoicism

Core Tenets

Dichotomy of Control

What you control: Your thoughts, actions, judgments
What you don’t control: Other people’s reactions, external events.

Virtue as the Highest Good

Stoics identify four cardinal virtues:

  1. Wisdom – Knowing right from wrong
  2. Courage – Facing adversity with composure
  3. Justice – Acting fairly toward others
  4. Temperance – Moderation and self‑control.

Living virtuously is the path to true contentment (eudaimonia).

Emotional Discipline

Stoicism isn’t about suppressing feelings; it’s about transforming emotional responses:

Recognize a feeling → Question its basis → Reframe with rational insight.

“The disturbance comes not from events but from our judgments of them.” – Marcus Aurelius

Stoicism in Modern Life

  • Stress Management: Reframe deadlines as opportunities to practice discipline
  • Relationships: Accept that others are beyond your control; practice empathy and set boundaries
  • Career & Goals: Focus on effort, not outcomes; view setbacks as learning experiments
  • Digital Detox: Recognize that constant notification influx is external; choose mindful engagement

Common Misconceptions

Myth: Stoics are emotionless
Reality: They experience emotions but respond rationally.

Myth: It’s a “passive” philosophy
Reality: It requires active reflection and deliberate action.

Myth: Only ancient philosophers practiced it
Reality: Modern Stoicism is alive in mindfulness apps, self‑help books, and even corporate training.