What is Stoicism?
(Explained Simply with 5 Core Ideas)
- 0.8x
- 1x
- 1.2x
- 1.5x
- 2x
Life’s a mess, right?
You know it, I know it, even Beyoncé probably knows it (though with slightly better hair). Traffic jams, relationship drama, that existential dread creeping in at 3 am… it’s enough to make anyone want to say “screw it” and hide under the covers.
But what if there was a philosophy designed not just to help you survive the chaos, but actually thrive in it?
That’s Stoicism in a nutshell. It’s not about being an emotionless robot or pretending your feelings don’t exist. It’s about mastering your mind so you can live a life of purpose and fulfillment, no matter what crap the universe throws your way.
Now, Stoicism isn’t going to magically erase all your problems. But it can help you solve them, or maybe even make you realize that they’re not really problems in the first place.
Ready for the good stuff?
Here are the 5 core ideas of Stoicism that can change how you see the world:
- Virtue is the only good
- Control your judgment / perception
- The Dichotomy of Control
- Value duty and Service
- Live in accordance with nature
1. Virtue is the Only Good
"Virtue is enough for happiness.”
We all want the good life, but most of us are chasing it down the wrong road. We think happiness is about fat stacks of cash, a corner office, and having Instagram models. That’s bullshit.
The Stoics said screw happiness, chase virtue.
As Seneca put it, “Virtue is enough for happiness.”
You don’t need a yacht to be content, you just need a strong, virtuous character.
So what exactly is virtue?
Massimo Pigliucci explained virtue better than I ever can in his book How to Be a Stoic, he said,
“Virtue, in the Stoic view, consists in living in accordance with nature. This means recognizing the rational order of the universe and aligning oneself with it. The Stoics identified four cardinal virtues: wisdom (the ability to understand the world and make sound judgments), courage (the ability to face challenges and act with integrity), justice (the ability to treat others fairly and uphold moral principles), and temperance (the ability to moderate one's desires and emotions).These virtues are not simply theoretical ideals but practical guides for living a good life.”
Virtue is about living in alignment with nature, recognizing the rational order of the universe, and embodying four key virtues:
- Wisdom: Understanding the world and making sound judgments.
- Courage: Facing challenges with integrity
- Justice: Treating others fairly and upholding moral principles.
- Temperance: Moderating your desires and emotions.
These aren’t just abstract ideals, they’re practical guidelines for a good life.
And guess what?
Modern science backs this up.
Peterson and Seligman (2004) (those guys with the fancy degrees), wrote a whole book on character strengths and virtues. Their research shows that virtues like wisdom and courage aren’t just philosophical fluff. They’re practical keys to a fulfilling life. People focused on personal growth and strong relationships are way happier than those chasing money and fame.
In today’s world, where success is often measured by how much crap you own, the Stoic focus on virtue is like a breath of fresh air. It screams that true happiness comes from your character and moral integrity, not from your external circumstances.
As Epictetus said,
"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."
Maybe it’s time to rethink our priorities. Instead of chasing fleeting pleasures, it’s time to say NO to this success-obsessed society and get back to the kind of values that create real happiness and fulfillment.
The Stoics figured this out a long time ago.
We just forgot.
2. Control your judgment / perception
"It's not things that upset us, but our judgments about things.”
Here’s the thing: shit happens. Deals fall through, relationships implode, your favorite band breaks up. You can’t control the chaos of the universe.
But you can control how you react to it.
That’s right, your thoughts are your own damn domain. And the Stoics knew this.
They figured out that your judgments about a situation screw you up way more than the situation itself. They knew that it’s not the event itself that screws you up, it’s your judgment of the event.
Think about it: you lose your job. That sucks, no doubt. But it’s the thoughts like “I’m a failure,” “I’ll never find another job,” and “My life is over” that send you spiraling into despair.
The Stoics developed techniques to combat this, like negative visualization.
Marcus Aurelius, the emperor-philosopher, advised mentally preparing for the worst.
By acknowledging that bad things might happen, you rob them of their power. You realize, “Hey, even if shit hits the fan, I can handle it.”
Another Stoic technique (though not restricted to the Stoic philosophy) is mindfulness. It’s about paying attention to the present moment.
When your emotions go haywire, you observe them without letting them control you.
You stay calm, you think clearly, you make better decisions.
So amigos, you have a choice: let the world control you, or control your perceptions.
Master your mind, and you’ll be ready for anything; maybe except for the third core principle of Stoicism (:
3. The Dichotomy of Control
"It's not things that upset us, but our judgments about things.”
Here’s the big one.
We all want to be in control. We want to dictate the terms of our lives, and bend the universe to our will.
But the truth is you can’t control everything. The universe doesn’t care about your plans.
Flights get delayed, relationships end, your team chokes in the playoffs. Shit happens.
But wait, didn’t we just talk about controlling your perceptions?
Yes, but there’s a difference between controlling your reactions and controlling the external world.
The dichotomy of control is about recognizing what you can influence: your actions, decisions, and attitude. You can’t control the traffic, but you can leave earlier. You can’t control your boss’s bad mood, but you can control your response.
This isn’t just some ancient philosophy, either. Modern psychology backs it up.
The concept of an “internal locus of control”, believing you have agency over your own life is linked to greater well-being and resilience. People with a strong internal locus of control are less prone to anxiety and depression, and they tend to be more successful in achieving their goals (Bandura, 1997).
So, how do you cultivate this internal locus of control?
Focus on what you can control. Prepare, put in the effort, and choose your attitude.
Remember, the world is a chaotic mess.
But within that chaos, you have a sphere of influence. Master that sphere.
And even when life throws its worst, you’ll be standing strong, ready for whatever comes next.
4. Duty and Service
“That which isn’t good for the hive, isn’t good for the bee.”
We live in a world obsessed with the “self.”
Self-care, self-love, self-everything.
While taking care of yourself is important, it’s become an excuse for self-indulgence and narcissism.
The Stoics had a different perspective: they focused on duty and service. They believed we’re all part of something bigger than ourselves.
They said we are all part of a cosmic web of interconnectedness (cosmopolitan). And within that web, we each have a role to play, a duty to fulfill.
This means acting justly, contributing to society, and treating all people with respect and dignity.
As Marcus Aurelius said,
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."
Don’t get bogged down in abstract theories about morality. Get out there and do good.
This doesn’t mean you have to become a saint.
It’s about finding ways to contribute within your own sphere of influence. Be a good friend, a supportive family member, a conscientious citizen.
Volunteer your time, share your skills, be kind to strangers.
The point is, focusing on duty shifts your attention away from your own petty desires and anxieties.
It gives you a sense of purpose, a feeling that you’re part of something larger than yourself. And that, my friend, is a powerful antidote to the existential angst that plagues so many of us today.
So forget the self-obsession.
Embrace your duty.
Find your place in the cosmic web and contribute to the greater good.
You might be surprised at how much more fulfilling your life becomes.
5. Live in Accordance with Nature
"Let us live in accordance with nature, and from this all the virtues will flow."
We humans are a funny creatures. We spend our lives trying to control everything, to bend the universe to our will. But the universe has its own rhythm, its own flow, and we are just along for the ride.
The Stoics understood this. They knew that fighting against the natural order of things is a recipe for misery.
Instead, they advocated for living in accordance with nature.
This doesn’t mean you have to go full-on hippie and live on a tree.
It’s about recognizing that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, a vast interconnected web of existence. And within that web, you have a role to play, a purpose to fulfill.
As Marcus Aurelius, the emperor-philosopher, put it:
“Everything is interwoven, and the web is holy; none of its parts are unconnected… They are all coordinated, and together they compose one world.”
We’re all connected, man.
Living in accordance with nature means recognizing this connection and choosing to act with justice and kindness, even when the world seems to be losing its mind.
Remember, you’re not just a random speck of dust; you’re a rational being with the capacity for reason and compassion.
This isn’t about passive acceptance, it’s about actively aligning yourself with the cosmic current. It’s about recognizing your place in the grand scheme of things and playing your part with grace and courage.
When you do that, you’ll find that life, even with all its chaos and uncertainty, can be a pretty damn beautiful ride.
Conclusion
In short, Stoicism isn’t a magic bullet, but it can be your trusted guide through the chaos of modern life. It won’t make your problems disappear, but it will give you the power to handle them with more sanity and rationality.
Remember these core principles:
- Choose virtue. True happiness comes from living a life of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance.
- Master your perceptions and judgments. It’s not the event itself that upsets you, it’s your judgment of the event. Choose your thoughts wisely.
- Focus on what you can control. You can’t control the external world, but you can control your actions, decisions, and attitude.
- Embrace Duty and Service. Find your place in the cosmic web and contribute to the greater good.
- Live in accordance with nature. Recognize that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, and play your role with grace and courage.
So, the next time you’re stuck in traffic, feeling overwhelmed, or just generally questioning the meaning of it all, remember the Stoics from centuries ago. They faced plagues, wars, and political turmoil, and they still managed to find peace and purpose.
If they can do it, so can you.
Take a deep breath, remember these five core ideas, and you might just find that life’s challenges become a little more manageable, and a lot more meaningful.
See you next time amigo. Stay safe (: