Ancient Greek and Roman Stoicism is a philosophical tradition in modern society.
Myth 01
According to popular historical interpretation, the paradigm of the dispassionate sage was the Roman politician Cato the Younger from the first century B.C. Cicero derided this attitude as being typical of Stoicism in general. That idea has become stronger over time among followers of Stoicism. For instance, Lifehack asserts that the Stoics taught us to avoid “a show of sentiments” and that adopting Stoicism is about avoiding “getting caught up in your strong emotions.”
However, the notion that ancient Stoics lacked emotional investment is a misinterpretation of their philosophy. The most complicated early emotion theorists were the Stoics, who described the layered intricacy of vibrant life. Even a wise person is not judged for going through these “proto-emotions” that we experience and are powerless to stop. (They think some more intense emotions, like wrath and fear, may derail us and need to be controlled.)
Also See: Stoicism And 5 Stoic Exercises To Get You Started
However, the Stoics advise us to develop many common feelings, transforming them into “good emotions.” Zeno of Citium, the originator of Stoicism, is said to have believed that there are three “pleasant feelings: joy, caution, and wishing,” as well as numerous variations of these, including “friendship, respect, and devotion.” Seneca expands on the subject and maintains that we must express our emotions to show our goodwill: Giving someone a present while scowling or with “downcast eyes” is equivalent to giving them bread with stones. Our body language should also convey our gratitude: Words may fail us, but if we are aware of our obligation, it will be seen on our faces, according to Seneca. True Stoics don’t remain still
Myth 02
The Theseus tale was so well known in Athens that it was impossible to pass down the street without hearing the city throng shout, “not without Theseus.” The traditional Greek city-state on the table was Athens and her culture. Many communities would instil in their young people the archetype of Hercules—the hero myth—even if many people, like Sparta, revered Hercules. As I mentioned earlier, Athens had a unique tale of a hero. Theseus was, may we say, a bit more sophisticated than Hercules, a gruff but strong guy.
Why is that so? After his father’s passing, Theseus ascended to the throne and established democracy in its place. Hercules would make a fantastic soldier, but he would not make an excellent king since such things were not in keeping with his nature. Among other things, the story of Theseus contributed to Athens’ reputation as a city of thinkers and scholars.
Culture is shaped through stories, and Hercules and Theues tales could always be found in a child’s bedroom everywhere in Greece. As a result, the Stoics could use these tales as a metaphor to explain their viewpoint while adding Stoic principles. I suppose the myth of Theseus would be well-known. The Stoics could have considered Theseus to be a king-philosopher. And like Marcus Aurelius, Theseus upheld his obligations as a king by resisting the temptation to give in to one’s vices and sensual pleasures—something that so many monarchs throughout history have struggled to manage.
Myth 03
Many contemporary Stoics believe that the ancient Stoics were the first life hackers. “25 great stoic quotations to improve your self-growth,” reads one such piece. Stoicism is often perceived as being about my personal good and path, which is why podcaster Tim Ferriss refers to it as a “personal operating system.”
Check Out: 5 Best Books That Will Make Your Life Better By Reading And Applying Them
Ancient Stoicism did offer athletic training for the soul, notably under its popularizers like Epictetus. However, that punishment was always moral to foster mutual respect and kindness. Since we are social beings connected locally and internationally, “our good” rather than “my good” is the ultimate goal of morality. It falls short of the true objectives of this school to frame Stoic philosophy as “self-help.”
The Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius gives a vivid picture of our interconnectedness in his “Meditations”: If you have ever seen a hand or head removed from the body, you will understand what a person “makes of himself when he cuts himself off” from the rest of mankind. Even though he was writing during a period of relative calm during the German wars, he reflected a principle that permeated Stoic philosophy more broadly: We only develop when we behave constructively and, at times, selflessly.
Myth 04
The Stoics are meant to teach us how to become resilient enough to handle anything. Investor and author Nassim Nicholas Taleb claim that “antifragility,” a mindset that views every setback as a chance to improve, is fundamentally Stoic. Stoicism is “a philosophy aimed to make you stronger so that you don’t break easily,” according to the Daily Stoic website.
This is incorrect. The Stoics do indeed wish to equip us against the whims of fortune. However, they maintain that we will lose our humanity if we attempt to become invulnerable. Seneca’s comments in the “Letters” make this point most clearly. He claims to be a doctor who constantly has the patient in the sick room while “providing remedies.” In Letter 27, he claims that if he didn’t experience suffering and understood frailty directly, he couldn’t provide wise counsel. His remarks on loss also show that he has experienced intense grief at the loss of friends and is aware that crying is normal.
See: What is a Stoic | Stoicism Meaning | Stoic Philosophy – Holstee
Myth 05
The fundamental tenet of archetypes is universal; in principle, everyone can comprehend the concept. We shall soon talk about the Greek Parthenon and the archetypes that shape Greek civilization, such as Theseus and Hercules. Hector from the Iliad and Odysseus from the Odyssey are two other notable figures. I can see the Stoia Poikile, where the Stoics imparted their philosophy, existing in the agora, the marketplace in Athens, around the period of the Iliad.
Zeno says, “What a fine ruler Theseus was,” as I stand among the eager pupils. And Hercules is somewhat of a brute, “processed immense character,” the speaker adds, “with Zeus himself honouring Hercules with a spot in Olympus.” The goal for all Stoics should be to fulfil their obligation to Zeus and submit to his authority through the daemon inside their thoughts.
