Does Money Buy You Happiness?
Throughout history, wealth has had many meanings. However, when we say “wealth” most people picture material goods like money, clothes, houses, and cars. But there’s also another definition to wealth besides the one that is widely accepted. The second definition of wealth is more important to Stoics – it is…
Is It Better To Believe In Fate?
When you hear “fatalistic acceptance”, some philosophical and religious themes may come to the forefront of your mind. In this article I’ll try to explain what fatalistic acceptance is according to Stoic philosophers, and why it can be used for good. First and foremost, I’d like to present…
Preferred Vs. Non-preferred Indifference
Stoics believe that things don’t have any inherent value within themselves, and that our senses bestow upon them varying qualities. These qualities can be good (virtue) or bad (vice). And when things are neither good nor bad, they’re called indifferent. Indifference or adiaphora (in Greek) can have many…
What Is The Stoic Dichotomy of Control? What You Can Control Vs. What You can’t
The topic I wish to cover in this article is probably the most essential one when it comes to Stoic philosophy. The Dichotomy of control is the cornerstone of Stoic philosophy. And this can be seen In both, Discourses and Enchiridion at the beginning. Epictetus gives his view…
Why Do I Need A Philosophy For Life?
This is a question that most students ask in High School, I would know because I work as a philosophy professor (not trying to show off). The question is a legitimate one, especially because philosophy is the oldest of all the sciences. In Metaphysics, Aristotle claims that: “Every…
Why Stoics Had The Best Shield Against Gossip
Gossip is an unconstrained conversation about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true. I like to call them the “whispers on the dark”. Gossip is part of our everyday lives, it has the ability to influence our opinions, emotional states, and world-view. And…
Do Stoics Get Upset? If So, How Would They Deal With Their Emotions?
Stoic philosophy teaches us how to deal with emotions. In its teachings, we’re able to reflect on how to handle the state of sadness, anger, anxiety and much more. I think Marcus Aurelius is probably the best example when it comes to this matter; after all he was…
How Stoic Philosophy Helps You In The Fight Against Anxiety
Most people today suffer from suffocating anxiety. Anxiety is a relatively modern ailment that creeps up on you, and ends up causing immense damage while it does so. The illness’ existence is defined by worries and fears that seem irrational. Its nature dwells in uncertainty which robs one…
Do Stoics Believe In An After Life?
Belief in the afterlife usually means that death is not the final destination in our lives. According to Christian faith, our souls are personal, and they are preserved after death. For stoics, souls don’t retain their “personal” nature after death. Stoic views on afterlife and immortality differ from…
The Top Ten Marcus Aurelius Quotes
What a great challenge! Each time I read Marcus Aurelius’ book Meditations, I end up underlining a new quote. After a few years, I began to realize that I’ve underlined the whole book. And That’s why when confronted with the idea of choosing only 10 quotes I felt…