2011-01-04

Stoicism

I just finished reading A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy. This book really resonated with me. Here's the gist...Without a philosophy of life (i.e. a life goal, and a means of attaining that goal), you may realize in the last moments of your life that you have lived without purpose. Stoicism is a philosophy of life. It claims that the goal of life is tranquility.

One obstacle to tranquility is insatiability--the continuous pursuit of things that we don't have. Stoicism's response to this is to be satisfied with what we already have. The tool to achieve this is negative visualization...contemplating losing the things that we already possess (e.g. our loved ones dying, losing our ability to see). Negative visualization is not to be confused with worrying.

Another obstacle to tranquility is anxiety--worrying about things outside of our control. Stoicism addresses this by categorizing all things into 3 categories: things over which you have no control, complete control, and partial control. Things in the first category, you cease to worry about. Things in the second category are not problematic. The last category is problematic. Stoicism says that for things you have partial control over, you want to adopt internal goals, and avoid external goals. For example, if you're playing a tennis match, you only have partial control over the outcome. Stoicism says that instead of trying to win the tennis match (an external goal), you should instead try to play the best game you can (an internal goal).

Stoicism has a really interesting take on discomfort. Stoics seek out discomfort. They will voluntarily create experiences of discomfort (e.g. taking a cold shower). This is not to be confused with asceticism--extreme deprivation and relinquishing of all material comforts. Ascetics seek to remove all dependency on luxury. Stoics believe in enjoying the good things in life. Their aim of seeking out experiences of discomfort is to build strength for when life throws at you uncomfortable experiences which are not voluntary. Stoics welcome the "tragedies" of life. In the way a trained fire fighter welcomes fires. It gives them an opportunity to exercise their training.

Fascinating insights on Buddhism, evolutionary psychology, sex, religion, grief, and insults. Highly recommended.