Introduction to Stoicism

Ok big subject here so here are just some introductory paragraphs for anyone interested in frameworks to help with day to day living. I intend to break down lots of stoic wisdom linked to helping in today’s world in future writing.

Personally, I got really into stoicism 4/5 years ago aligned with my interests in psychology and psychotherapy and stoicisms influence in modern day therapies to help people with psychological challenges.

Stoicism is a philosophy founded in ancient Greece, emerging around 300 BC and founded by Zeno of Citium, offering a practical guide to living a fulfilling and resilient life. Its teachings have endured through the ages, providing wisdom on how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and a level of control.

At its core, Stoicism emphasises the development of personal virtue (values) and wisdom as the path to true happiness. The Stoics believe that we cannot control external events, only our reactions to them. This principle encourages individuals to focus on what lies within their influence, creating a mindset of inner strength and mental toughness.

Central to Stoic philosophy are the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Wisdom involves understanding the world and making sound judgments. Courage is the ability to face difficulties with resolve. Justice relates to treating others fairly and with respect, while temperance is about practising self-control and moderation. One of the things I love about stoicism is that these values have lasted the test of time and still feel so relevant for today’s world.

Stoics teach that emotions like anger, fear, and envy are irrational and stem from misguided judgments. That the ‘only true evil is moral evil’. By recognising the transient nature of external circumstances and being centred internally in reason, we can achieve a state of equanimity. This does not mean suppressing emotions but rather transforming them through rational thought and self-reflection as much as possible.

Prominent Stoic philosophers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius have contributed extensively to the body of Stoic literature. Their works, filled with practical advice and profound insights, into morality, nature, gratitude, friendship, thinking effectively, mindfulness, self-improvement, wellbeing and the mind body connection (and much more) remain highly relevant, offering guidance on how to lead a fulfilling life amidst challenges.

However, my favourite modern writer on the subject is Donald Robertson and a number of his books have educated and impacted me significantly on the subject.