If you’ve ever grazed the surface of philosophy, you’ve probably come across this. But what is Stoicism, and who are its major players? In this post, I’ll give you a very brief introduction to Stoicism, as well as some good resources to dig deeper.
So What IS Stoicism?
Stoicism is a school of philosophy developed in Ancient Greece and Rome that focuses on four main tenets: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. The main idea is that, through focusing on these four tenets, you can lead a great life and master yourself.
Stoicism is a very practical philosophy. All of its major philosophers repeat the same basic ideas:
- You shouldn’t worry about what you can’t control
- It is critical to live in accordance with nature
- You must pursue logic and truth
- Everyone plays a role in the universe
- We must practice self-control
- Virtue is the key to a successful life
- We need to focus on the present, not remain stuck in the past or the future
Essentially, it encourages us to focus on self-control and acceptance of the things outside of our control. Through pursuing perfection in the four main values (courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom), we will be able to create fulfilling lives.
Who Are the Main Philosophers?
The most famous Stoic is probably Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor known for writing Meditations, which I will return to below. However, the first known Stoic was Zeno of Citium, a wealthy merchant considered the founder of Stoicism. He began teaching at the Stoa Poikile, or Painted Colonnade (the main gathering place), in Athens, and the movement derived its name from there. This was around 300 BC.
While early Stoicism had several immediate followers of Zeno, including Cleanthes and Chrysippus, much of our modern wisdom comes from Stoics of the Roman Empire–namely, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus.
The Big Three
Out of these “Big Three,” Seneca was the first. He was a statesman and tutor to Emperor Nero, ultimately being forced to commit suicide after being accused of attempting to assassinate Nero. His most famous work is composed of his letters to various friends and figures.
Epictetus was next in line, and he had a completely different life story. He was born in Turkey and grew up as a slave in Rome during Nero’s rule. He began his study of Stoicism under Musonius Rufus, gained his freedom, and became one of the main philosophers in the movement. Epictetus was a huge influence on later Stoics, including Marcus Aurelius. His two main works are Discourses and the Enchiridion.
Marcus Aurelius was the last one, living from 121-180 AD. When you ask what is Stoicism?, you’re almost immediately directed to Marcus Aurelius’s famous work, Meditations. This was my introduction to the school of philosophy, as well. He was a Roman Emperor and remains probably the most famous Stoic.
Why Is Stoicism Returning?
Most of us have at least heard about Stoicism. If you go into a bookstore now, however, you’re even more likely to see books dedicated to the philosophy. This article describes (and critiques aspects of) the movement’s revival. If we look at the data, a lot of the growth started around 2020, when we all felt out of control.
While many people do rightly criticize “Modern Stoicism” for being adapted into a corporate context and used as a justification for hustle culture or social media posts about self-improvement, I think it goes deeper than that. We are living in an increasingly busy, stressful, and disjointed world. Our human contact and sense of community continue to decline, stemming from things like social media, dating apps, and life exhaustion.
Stoicism, when applied correctly, offers a simple path to tranquility and inner peace that just about anyone can do. Its focus on acceptance, self-improvement, and peace are all appealing in a complicated age. They offer us an easily understandable path to help ourselves that isn’t filled with some of the fluff of typical self-help books. Stoicism is meant for everyone to be able to understand it, and in difficult situations, it is a good way to make sense of the problems and move forward. That’s why it makes sense for us to dive in again.
What Are Some More Resources?
If you want to move beyond an introduction to Stoicism, plenty of resources exist. You can, of course, read the original works of Stoic philosophers. This Goodreads list has a solid collection of original works and books that adapt the philosophy for modern life. I also enjoyed 365 Lessons from the Stoics, a collection of quotes and ideas from major Stoic works. Of all of the original works that I have read, Meditations is still my favorite.
In terms of websites, The Daily Stoic has a ton of resources and knowledge for you to explore. It is also a great resource for exercises and reflections! Modern Stoicism focuses on the philosophy and its applications for today. Encyclopedia Britannica’s overview of stoicism is also very useful.
A Final Word
Stoicism is a wonderful philosophy to dive into, especially if you’re looking for strategies to improve yourself and expand your wisdom. What do you know about it, and what do you want to learn?
For more philosophy, reviews, and instruction within the humanities (like this overview of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War), feel free to explore the site!