Read an Academic Passage

The Core Tenets of Stoicism

Stoicism, an influential school of philosophy, was founded in Athens in the early 3rd century BCE by Zeno of Citium. More than a set of abstract theories, Stoicism is a practical philosophy designed to guide individuals toward living a good life, which the Stoics defined as a life of tranquility and moral virtue. The core idea is that while we cannot control external events, we can control our judgments and responses to them. This mastery over one's own mind is the key to achieving inner peace.

A central principle of Stoicism is the "dichotomy of control," which divides all aspects of life into two categories: things that are within our control and things that are not. According to the Stoics, our thoughts, opinions, and actions are within our control. In contrast, things like our health, reputation, and the actions of others are not. The Stoic practice involves focusing all one's effort on what can be controlled while accepting what cannot with a calm and unflustered mindset known as equanimity.

This philosophy does not advocate for passive resignation. Instead, Stoics believed in actively engaging with the world and fulfilling one's duties to family and society. By controlling their perceptions, Stoics aimed to free themselves from destructive emotions like anger, fear, and jealousy, which they saw as products of flawed judgments about external events. By developing virtues like wisdom, courage, and justice, a Stoic could navigate life's challenges with resilience and maintain a stable sense of well-being, regardless of their external circumstances.