What is stoicism?

What is stoicism

There are different schools of philosophy that are part of the history that makes up the first wisdom. There are aspects that are present in different currents of thought: the pursuit of happiness is one of the expectations that accompanies the human being. However, the way of interpreting this state of mind, and the way of reaching this fullness, can change depending on the approach taken by a current.

Zeno of Citio was the founder of Stoicism, a Hellenistic school. From this point of view, there are different external factors that can disturb the peace of mind. For this reason, the true conquest of virtue resides in virtue and in the strength of reason. What is stoicism?

The value of virtue in practical action

The virtuous act, according to Stoic morality, is one that is aligned with the light of reason. In this way, the human being can rise beyond the impulse of passions. From this premise, these passions can condition the human being when he lives according to these dictates. Desires are changeable and often fleeting too.

Living according to wishes implies, therefore, being conditioned by the external. The human being is part of the world and is accompanied by circumstances. It interacts with the environment, but has the ability to achieve peace of mind by not allowing itself to be conditioned by the effect of different variables. However, happiness leads to a reflection on interiority. The wise man is one who lives in harmony with himself, even in difficult circumstances. Currently, there is a concept that is widely used in the field of self-help, psychology and coaching: resilience.

Spiritual ataraxia

This term refers to the power that the human being has to get excited again, even after having lived through moments of adversity. Well, in the context of Stoic philosophy there is an essential concept: spiritual ataraxia. This state describes the strength of the spirit that remains imperturbable in the face of everything. There are many moments in life when it is necessary to have a dose of stoicism: in overcoming a disappointment, in suffering or in heartbreak. Self-control and temperance are essential to become a wise man as proposed in this philosophical school.

Those experiences that from the stoic point of view are contrary to reason, do not bring well-being to the human being but rather disturb him. They break with their inner tranquility suddenly. On the contrary, virtuous action fosters calm. The human being is happy when he lives according to his own nature. The person lives in a changing environment and the essence of passion is also variable. Therefore, in an environment of this type, the human being can find his strength in his inner world. Through firmness of mind he overcomes the variables that are around him.

What is stoicism

Prudence and temperance

When human beings perceive reality through passions that are contrary to reason, they do not observe the world as it is. Your decisions are conditioned by the force of misleading information. Conversely, reason leads to truth. Ethics is the most important discipline from the point of view of this philosophical school. Through prudence and temperance, the human being can distance himself from those factors that disturb him on a potential level. Cultivate your happiness through the constant exercise of virtue as an end in itself.


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