Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in the Capitoline Museums
OPINION
Is ancient philosophy the future?
Donald Robertson
April 19, 2019
Donald Robertson’s latest book is:
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.
Stoic philosophy, of which Marcus Aurelius was history’s most famous proponent, taught its followers not to waste time on diversions that don’t actually improve their character.
In recent decades, Stoicism has been experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
In recent decades, Stoicism has been experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
It has fueled interest among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. Stoicism is the “ideal operating system for thriving in high-stress environments.”
What’s driving the rebirth of Stoicism?
Stoicism offers rational solutions to human problems but it is especially effective in troubled times.
Its offer is attractive: It doesn’t matter how crazy the world is, how “bad” others are, you can always keep your cool and flourish.
Such a promise is always enticing to be sure, but it becomes a lifeline in a world that is confusing.
People are looking for answers on how to live a good life and are turning to philosophy to find them.
What do Stoics believe?
One of the most practical doctrines of Stoicism is the idea that
we have to carefully distinguish between things that are under our control and things that are not.
We should learn to take more responsibility for things we do and to be less disturbed by events that happen to us.
The basic notion has been neatly captured in the Serenity Prayer, popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous, which says “God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Another famous Stoic teaching is that
it’s not things that upset us but rather our judgments about them.
That idea became the basis of modern cognitive therapy, which teaches us to become more aware of the role our thinking, or cognition, can play in shaping our emotions.
However, cognitive therapy is remedial – it’s a treatment for specific problems from which someone is already suffering. It arrives late on the scene. The Holy Grail of mental health is prevention because as we all know prevention is better than cure.
Stoicism holds out the promise of building what psychologists call long-term emotional resilience.
It goes beyond therapy or self-help. Ordinary people can identify with it as a philosophy of life, deeply enough in some cases to get its words of wisdom tattooed on their bodies.
Stoic acceptance does not mean passivity, though.
The ancient Stoics sought to reconcile emotional calm with deliberate action for the common welfare of mankind.
It’s this service to a higher and more fundamental goal that gives Stoicism’s adherents a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Stoicism guides your actions and the way you live your life.
The Stoic wisdom, which says that even though we cannot ultimately control the misfortunes that befall us, we can control how we respond to them, sustained him through tough times.
Many people today are worried about terrorism, climate change, political corruption and other big issues that can seem both undeniably important and yet far beyond their ability to control as individuals.
The real message of Stoicism, is that we can remain committed to improving the world around us without having to become distressed when things fall short of our expectations.
That’s what we mean when we speak of someone maintaining a “philosophical attitude” in the face of adversity.
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be, just be one.
Link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-is-ancient-philosophy-the-future/
Is Ancient Philosophy The Future? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-is-ancient-philosophy-the-future/ … @GlobeDebate #Philosophy #Stoicism
we have to carefully distinguish between things that are under our control and things that are not.
We should learn to take more responsibility for things we do and to be less disturbed by events that happen to us.
The basic notion has been neatly captured in the Serenity Prayer, popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous, which says “God give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Another famous Stoic teaching is that
it’s not things that upset us but rather our judgments about them.
That idea became the basis of modern cognitive therapy, which teaches us to become more aware of the role our thinking, or cognition, can play in shaping our emotions.
However, cognitive therapy is remedial – it’s a treatment for specific problems from which someone is already suffering. It arrives late on the scene. The Holy Grail of mental health is prevention because as we all know prevention is better than cure.
Stoicism holds out the promise of building what psychologists call long-term emotional resilience.
It goes beyond therapy or self-help. Ordinary people can identify with it as a philosophy of life, deeply enough in some cases to get its words of wisdom tattooed on their bodies.
Stoic acceptance does not mean passivity, though.
The ancient Stoics sought to reconcile emotional calm with deliberate action for the common welfare of mankind.
It’s this service to a higher and more fundamental goal that gives Stoicism’s adherents a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Stoicism guides your actions and the way you live your life.
The Stoic wisdom, which says that even though we cannot ultimately control the misfortunes that befall us, we can control how we respond to them, sustained him through tough times.
Many people today are worried about terrorism, climate change, political corruption and other big issues that can seem both undeniably important and yet far beyond their ability to control as individuals.
The real message of Stoicism, is that we can remain committed to improving the world around us without having to become distressed when things fall short of our expectations.
That’s what we mean when we speak of someone maintaining a “philosophical attitude” in the face of adversity.
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be, just be one.
Link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-is-ancient-philosophy-the-future/
Is Ancient Philosophy The Future? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-is-ancient-philosophy-the-future/ … @GlobeDebate #Philosophy #Stoicism
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