A Complete Guide to Stoicism in Modern Times

Stoicism is like a key to entering a new home that is calm and peaceful. Nowadays, a lot of people are dealing with modern-day difficulties with this tried-and-true ancient philosophy. And it’s easy to say that Stoicism can make anyone stand straight in this internet age and a diverse crowd.

Here, we’re going to talk about –

• What is stoicism?
• Why it’s important in today’s life?
• How it can help you?
• Some quotes that will help you understand stoicism
• History
• Stoic philosophers

What is stoicism?

Here we will discuss about the foundation of stoicism.

Stoicism is a philosophy or a set of ideas- that teach a different way of looking at life. Stoicism is a way to view, describe, and understand the world. Stoicism helps people live their best life by reducing negative emotions and enhancing positive energies.

Stoicism gives us the confidence we need to live a good life.

Life is tough. In a world full of unexpected turns of events, you need to be strong. Stoicism allows us to process negative emotions from negative experiences.

Stoicism has many angles to discuss. But it mainly focuses on the difference between what is in your control and what’s not. This subtle perception can make you more calm, more confident, and stronger.

We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.

– Seneca

Stoicism also discusses about minimalism, freedom, meditation, mental health, etc. It is not only a philosophy but also a way of life.

Why it’s important in today’s life?

Let’s say you are leaving for a job interview in the morning. Heavy rain began to fall after a short distance. But there had been no indication of rain. You’re pretty soaked before you run into a coffee shop. What are you going to do in the coffee shop now? All you can do is-

• Cursing the rain,
• Beating yourself up for being so foolish.
• Losing your cool with your wife because she didn’t provide you with an umbrella
• Ordering a cup of coffee and calling an Uber
• Wipe the body as much as possible and wait for the rain to cease.

Undoubtedly a terrible circumstance. You’ll respond differently if you consider what you can control after something happens.

Stoicism is all about being in charge of your reactions. Stoicism is more important in today’s world because it helps people accept bad things easily and take charge of their happiness.

How stoicism can help you? Key Lessons of Stoicism-

Stoicism taught that life’s objective is to live in harmony with nature. This school of thought emphasized self-control and courage to overcome negative emotions.

• Start focusing on what you can control instead of what you can’t.
• Consider every challenge to be an opportunity.
• Always be ready for the unexpected. Face the situation boldly.
• Focus on what you have, not what you need.
• Live every day of your life

History of Stoicism

The Stoic school flourished in Greece and Rome for almost five centuries from 300 BC to 200 AD. Stoic ideas influenced early Christianity. Stoicism, which acknowledged the value of each individual, also played a role in the development of democratic government.

The Stoic school was founded by Zeno of Citium (334-262 B.C.E.) in Athens, Greece, around 308 B.C.E. After studying under Crates the Cynic and several other Athenian philosophers, Zeno developed his system of thought and began teaching in the Agora of Athens

Historians divide Stoicism into three phases:

Phase	Timeframe	Notable Philosophers
Early Stoa	300 – 200 BC	Zeno, Cleanthes, Chrysippus, Diogenes
Middle Stoa	200 – 0 BC	Cato, Panaetius, Posidonius
Late Stoa	0 – 200 AD	Seneca, Rufus, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius

The Stoic school declined and disappeared with the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity.

Some Stoic philosophers

Zeno (332–262 BC)

Zeno of Citium was a wealthy businessman. He was once shipwrecked while on a business trip. Zeno survived. Later, he went to an Athens bookstore and found some writings about Socrates. He asks the librarian where he can find people like that. The librarian tells him about a Cynic philosopher named Crates of Thebes. Zeno became a student of Crates.

Zeno of Citium was a Cyprus-born Hellenistic philosopher. Zeno founded the Stoic school of philosophy in Athens around 300 BC.

Seneca (4 BC – 65 AD)

Seneca was the middle child of three siblings. In Rome, his father was a well-known writer and teacher. Seneca became a senator at a young age. Following the order of the then-Roman emperor, he was exiled to the island of Corsica. He returned to Rome eight years later and was appointed tutor to the future Emperor Nero. And, in a sad twist of destiny, he was later assassinated on Nero’s orders.

Seneca is a major philosophical figure of Stoicism.

Epictetus (50 – 135 AD)

Epictetus (50 AD-135 AD) was a slave who spent his entire life handicapped and poor. His passion for philosophy was intense. As a result, with the owner’s consent, he studied Stoic philosophy from the Roman Stoic professor Musonius Rufus. Epictetus believed and preached that philosophy involves more than just theoretical debate, but also practical application in everyday life.

Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180 AD)

Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor. His father died when he was three, and his mother and grandfather raised him. Marcus’ “Meditations” may be the sole document of its kind ever created. It is the world’s most powerful man’s private thoughts on how to fulfill the responsibilities and obligations that come with his position.