STOICISM

Stoicism is a philosophy born under the pillars of the flourishing Greco-Roman period, with names like Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and even Viktor Frankl developing it over time. It gives a practical perspective on human behavior with the ultimate goal of living a decent life. Here is an insight into what this philosophy really entails:

• First, Stoics talked about the purpose of humanity. They believed that humans have the purpose to use their rationality in order to create the best possible society. Stoics adopted an ethical idea called Oikeiosis, which meant to have sympathy towards people’s problems, and familiarize with people, independently of their intimacy towards you. They believed that for us to create a good society, we needed to cooperate and feel empathy towards others.

• It is impossible to consider yourself a Stoic if you are unable to strictly follow a set of rules. Stoicism is all about morality. Stoics are meant to always act with integrity. They constantly claimed that for us to be able to reach a eudaimonic life, we needed to become a morally-worthy human, independently of our social status, health or many other worldly factors.

• One of the fundamental principles, if not the main principle of Stoicism, is the dichotomy of control. It makes a division between the things that we can control, and the things we cannot. Imagine a young athlete preparing for an important competition. While they can control their training regimen, diet, and mindset, they cannot control the weather conditions on the day of the competition, the performance of their competitors, or the subjective judgment of the judges. The Stoic dichotomy of control mainly meant that we should pay more attention to the aspects of life that we can control, and not worry about those that we cannot. To accomplish the task of ignoring things that we can't control is very hard, but according to Stoics, for us to be able to achieve the sought after eudaimonic life, we need to learn how to live according to nature, accepting that not everything is under our control.

• Stoics also have a big devotion towards wisdom, they believed that in order not to do evil (which in their point of view was a reaction of ignorance), we need to seek knowledge. Stay smart.

• Stoicism tackles the big three emotional roadblocks: anger, anxiety, and loneliness. Stoic principles offer practical tools for managing these disruptive feelings. For anger, they stress recognizing triggers, reframing negative thoughts, and practicing self-control. Anxiety is addressed through the application of the dichotomy of control, focusing on the present moment through mindfulness, and challenging self-defeating thoughts. Loneliness, often stemming from the fear of rejection and isolation, is countered by Stoic teachings on self-sufficiency, finding meaning in personal pursuits, and cultivating genuine connections based on shared values. Ultimately, the Stoics emphasize that these emotions are natural but not inevitable, and through Stoic practices, you can learn to navigate them calmly and with perspective. 

• Pigliucci argues that while relationships enrich our lives, they also bring potential pain due to their inherent vulnerability. Drawing on Stoic philosophy, he advocates for approaching them with wisdom and acceptance. This means recognizing that no relationship is guaranteed eternal, appreciating them for what they offer in the present, and avoiding possessive attachment. Stoics emphasize that true friendship isn't defined by the number of connections but by the depth and quality of them. Ultimately, Pigliucci encourages cultivating inner strength and a sense of self-sufficiency, allowing you to appreciate love and friendship without fear of their impermanence. 

• Pigliucci states that stoics saw death as a natural occurrence. Many of them even took death lightheartedly, like a common and usual occurrence in the span of life, nothing significant. They believed that death is not something to be afraid of, instead it should be looked at closely, understanding about it, rather than stay ignorant about it.