Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece around the 3rd century BCE, founded by Zeno of Citium. It teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. The philosophy asserts that virtue (such as wisdom) is the only true good and that external events are beyond our control, but we can control our own responses to them.
Key principles of Stoicism include:
- Living in Accordance with Nature: Understanding the natural world and our place in it, and living in harmony with it.
- Virtue as the Highest Good: Valuing virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance above all else.
- Distinguishing Between What We Can and Cannot Control: Focusing on our own actions and attitudes, which we can control, and accepting what we cannot control.
- Practicing Rationality and Logic: Using reason to navigate life’s challenges and to understand the world.
- Embracing Adversity: Seeing challenges and hardships as opportunities to practice virtue and improve oneself.
Famous Stoic philosophers include Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, whose writings provide practical advice on how to apply Stoic principles in everyday life.