Stoicism - A Week of Austerity and Virtue

February 23 - March 1

Having dipped our toes into our reading list over the past weeks, what we’ve determined foremost is that properly understanding Stoic philosophy is a very difficult thing. It is dependent upon understanding and interpreting some subjective, and at times contradictory, concepts. This at least will be our claim whenever we misinterpret anything this year.

Before we set out our rules for a week of living stoically, we’re going to attempt to summarise our key takeaways about Stoicism in a series of dot points. Hopefully without Seneca rolling in his grave too many times, though as a Stoic he’d argue that the feelings and opinions of dead men are of little relevance to us anyway:

Stoics believe that:

• happiness is “living in agreement with nature”
• leading a virtuous life is the only way to lead a truly happy life
• virtues include moderation, courage, justice, and wisdom
• living virtuously involves avoiding procrastination, pretentious over-refinement, talkativeness, officiousness, uttering complaints, striking poses, craving solitude (or crowds), or being subject to your emotions
• virtuous behaviour is rational, as opposed to emotional, behaviour
• the pursuit of other things in accordance with our nature (money, health, friendships) is rational insofar as it does not clash with our virtuous intent
• emotions are the product of our judgments about what is good and bad in life
• if we make better, more rational, more virtuous decisions, we have no need for excessive emotions, either positive and negative
• making decisions with virtuous intent is enough for happiness; it is not necessary for happiness that outcomes beyond our control align with our intent
• death is coming and we must make use of the present before our time is gone
• a man should be self-sufficient, neither relying on the praise or recognition of others nor smarting from their disapproval

One of the central tenets of Stoicism is the maintenance of a kind of mindfulness, a virtuous self-control and self-awareness, which ensures you make proper use of the time you have and that you live a good life. With that in mind, Geoff’s quote of the month:

“Letting go all else, cling to the following few truths. Remember that man lives only in the present, in this fleeting instant: all the rest of his life is either past and gone, or not yet revealed. This mortal life is a little thing, lived in a little corner of the earth; and little, too, is the longest fame to come - dependent as it is on a succession of fast-perishing little men who have no knowledge even of their own selves, much less of one long dead and gone.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book III, 10).

Geoff and Simon’s rules for living stoically:

• Try throughout the day to be mindful of each moment and each choice we make, and make rational, virtuous decisions that are not governed by emotion.
• make productive use of our time in the pursuit of things that we know to be use and benefit to ourselves and others:
• don’t procrastinate on things we know we should be doing; if it can be done now, do it;
• eat only simple and nutritious foods;
• wear only plain or utilitarian clothing.
• reflect each morning on the expected decisions ahead of us, and on how we can apply rational and virtuous thinking to them;
• reflect each evening on our choices and behaviours during the day, on where we may have failed to act with virtue, and on how we can improve in the future.
• Avoid behaviours and habits that are not virtuous, nor in agreement with our fundamental nature. This includes but is by no means limited to:
• the consumption of entertainment for entertainment’s sake, including television, movies, video games (including Words with Friends!), reading and gambling (no horse races sorry Paddy!);
• the consumption of alcohol;
• engaging in gossip;
• complaining about pain, perceived insults or the choices or actions of others.
• Avoid excessive emotion. Instead, apply rationality to circumstances beyond our control and accept things as they are.

That's about as many rules as we can stomach. Reports from the field will be dutifully appearing. This is Stoic week after all.