Stoicism - Class Notes
1. Overview of Stoicism
Definition: Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that emphasizes personal
virtue, wisdom, and self-control. It teaches that we should focus on what we can
control and accept what we cannot.
Founded by: Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE in Athens.
Main Focus: Achieving tranquility through understanding and accepting the natural
order of the world.
2. Core Principles of Stoicism
Virtue is the Highest Good: Stoics believe that living a virtuous life is the most
important goal. Virtue includes wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
Control What You Can, Accept What You Can’t:
Externals (e.g., wealth, health, relationships) are beyond our control and should
not determine our happiness.
Internals (e.g., thoughts, attitudes, responses) are within our control, and we
should focus on these to live well.
Live According to Nature: Live in harmony with nature and reason. Stoicism teaches
that the universe operates by rational laws and that human beings should align
themselves with these natural laws.
Emotions Are a Result of Judgment: Emotions like anger, fear, and jealousy are
caused by misguided judgments and beliefs. By changing our perceptions, we can
change our emotional responses.
3. Key Stoic Philosophers
Zeno of Citium: Founder of Stoicism, believed in the importance of rationality and
virtue in daily life.
Epictetus: A former slave who taught that freedom comes from mastering one's
desires and judgments. Famous for his Discourses and Enchiridion.
Seneca: A Roman statesman and philosopher who wrote extensively on how to live a
virtuous life, including his Letters to Lucilius.
Marcus Aurelius: Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, best known for his
Meditations, a collection of personal reflections on how to live a Stoic life.
4. Key Concepts in Stoicism
The Dichotomy of Control:
What is in our control: Our thoughts, emotions, actions, and judgments.
What is not in our control: External events, the actions of others, and outcomes.
Negative Visualization: Practicing the contemplation of worst-case scenarios to
reduce fear and attachment to external things.
Amor Fati: Love of fate—embracing everything that happens, good or bad, as part of
the natural order.
Memento Mori: Remembering your mortality to inspire living a meaningful life and
focusing on what truly matters.
Ataraxia: A state of serene calmness, free from distress and anxiety, which is
achieved through Stoic practice.
5. Stoic Ethics
Living Virtuously: The Stoics believed that to live a good life, one must cultivate
virtues such as wisdom (understanding life and the universe), courage (facing
challenges), justice (acting fairly), and temperance (self-control).
Indifference to Externals: Stoicism teaches that external factors like wealth,
pleasure, and social status are neither good nor bad. The only true good is virtue;
external things are "indifferents."
Self-Discipline: The Stoic focus on discipline and self-control helps individuals
resist negative emotions and develop a sense of inner peace.
6. Practical Stoic Exercises
Daily Reflection: Reflect on your actions and thoughts each day to improve your
responses to challenges and align them with your values.
Mindfulness and Self-Awareness: Observe your emotional reactions and consciously
choose your responses based on reason.
Gratitude Practice: Cultivate gratitude for the present moment and the things you
have, rather than focusing on what you lack.
Pre-meditation of Difficulties: Visualize potential challenges ahead and mentally
prepare to accept and deal with them with equanimity.
7. Stoicism and Modern Life
Emotional Resilience: Stoicism offers tools for managing stress, anxiety, and
negative emotions by focusing on what is within your control.
Personal Growth: By practicing self-reflection, virtue, and discipline, Stoicism
helps individuals improve their character and behavior.
Leadership and Success: Stoic principles are often applied to leadership, promoting
ethical behavior, rational decision-making, and inner calm amidst challenges.
8. Common Misunderstandings
Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions: It’s about understanding and managing
emotions, not eliminating them. Stoics seek to transform destructive emotions into
more constructive responses.
Stoicism is not pessimistic or passive: It’s about accepting what we cannot control
while actively working on what we can control (our behavior, thoughts, and
attitudes).
9. Legacy of Stoicism
Stoicism has influenced many later philosophical traditions, including cognitive-
behavioral therapy (CBT), and has seen a resurgence in modern self-help literature
and practices.
Stoic ideas have also shaped political leaders, business leaders, and athletes,
helping them maintain focus and resilience in the face of adversity.
