Why Stoicism Matters

Stoicism is a philosophy worked out in Ancient Greece and Rome thousands of years ago, but it remains hugely relevant to our own times: it offers us ways of learning how to cope with anxiety, fear and the dread of losing money, status and love.

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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:
Mike Booth

[reybladen]

"The literal meaning of life is whatever that prevents you from killing yourself."
-Albert Camus

[Nrtx]

I began to study stoicism 1 year ago. I'm an anxious guy, always overthinking things, it has done wonders for me. Seneca helped me alot, but the one I owe it to is Marcus Aurelius, whose writings helped me decatastrophize situations and learn to care about what is in my reach and nothing else. I'm far from mastering it, but it has helped alot til now.

[Whimsy]

This is actually my mindset about everything. The trick is to know what to do when those things do go wrong. That's why I rarely worry.

[zakarianadir]

Stoicism makes sense in so far as you come to realize that facing a trouble is itself fulfilling. It makes you handle it calmly because you know you're offered an opportunity to grow.

[carrot]

I’ve followed the lessons of stoicism for about a year now and it’s helped me overcome depression and build a stronger, healthier body. There is no perfect philosophy of life but it is far better to adopt one than to go on aimlessly.

[NeroLightningLynx]

This is all perfect. This is what I told a suicidal friend.
He's still alive. It's absurd how many people are arguing against this. Choosing death is a human right.

[VictorLepanto]

Instead of sending his sick friend a "Get well soon" card, he sends him a "Maybe you'll get better, maybe you'll die; so think about dying card" card

[yuushi_jin]

It's weird, but hearing an argument in favor of suicide actually makes me feel better. I don't intend to kill myself, but I've dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts for two decades. Everyone always says it gets better so I stuck it out expecting that my life would eventually improve. After 20 years I can comfortably say it doesn't always get better and oftentimes it gets worse.

[samuelshin]

I think you undermine Stoicism by ignoring a Stoic's greatest goal. A life of virtue. Stoics seek the ultimate hapiness through virtue and not simply a defense mechanism. You may deal with the world and ignore negative emotions but without virtue, hapiness will not come.

[hugmonger]

Thank you so much Alain. I actually really needed this right now. Recently unemployed and may soon become homeless. Its been a horrible source of agony and anxiety for me, but then I see this and am reminded that I can probably survive homelessness, and that its not that bad.

[Mienarrr]

As another person here who‘s struggled with depression anxiety and suicidal thoughts for a long time, this outlook helped me greatly. Not under the name of philosophy or stoicism. I didn‘t know what that was until now, honestly. But I realized that whenever I was vehemently denying what was happening or what my situation was. (Being bullied, being scared, feeling humiliated) or when I tried to tell myself it will all get better, I got into this passive state of mind that dragged me down into my darkest moments. The nights where I truly wanted to end it, because what I clung to was this mindset of let it get better by itself or i‘m going to end it. Let them be nice to me or i won‘t put up with this anymore. Never did it occur to me to actually change my situation, get active, cut off unhealthy people from my life, change myself and my surroundings to what I want it to be like. And also not look away once I realize something isn‘t working. It‘s a more realistic approach to life than constantly hoping for the best, it will truly make you a nervous wreck like I was. Maybe that can help some others on here as well. I honestly wish it did. 🐯

[mornemail]

I'm not sure if Alain reads these comments.
Perhaps too busy making the next piece of insight for myself and millions of others to ponder and marvel at.
Regardless, he's never failed to utterly impress me with the clarity, eloquence and simplicity with which he expresses the most complex (and important) ideas about the human experience. His thoughts are that of a true humanist, his words crystal, coherent and perfectly ordered to carry profound ideas right to the core of our overwhelmed minds. His quality of communication is outstanding, and I am frankly envious of the mind that can so easily order and hold these thoughts.
Well done, Sir.

[asthapahwa]

"You say, you didn't think it would happen, do you think that there is anything that will not happen, when you know that it is possible to happen" truth of life

[nhci]

In times of trouble approaching I always told myself "If I'm still breathing, I'm fine". Never knew this approach was called stoicism

[lilybird]

I had a similar realization when I started college, I would stress and panic over my classes and doing well, but it just brought me suffering, and made me a less happy person in general. one day it just clicked that I really didn't have to worry or be stressed out. Now I just do my best and accept that if I fail that will be alright. Sometimes I do get overwhelmed with work, but I am not stressed or worried about failing or not getting it all done, I just do what I can. Now I am a much more calm and happier person.

[dudanunesbleff]

Allow me to quote Epictetus: “Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.” And then be virtuous for Logos' sake. Stoicism is the only ethic!

[mariewilliams]

We all die it doesn't even matter what happens in the end. Be nice and humble. Be the best person you can be

[SH-hlce]

Stoicism like other Greco-Roman schools is primarily about how to live a good life, and the good life is a life of happiness (eudamonia).

The Stoics reason that if we stake our happiness on fleeting things that are ultimately out of our control (health, riches, longevity, and what others may think of us) we will always be frustrated by nature's comings and goings. Therefore our happiness can only come from what is in our own control: to be satisfied with one's own action. I am satisfied with my actions only when i act in a way that is proper and desirable (i.e. virtuous).

The Stoics 4 cardinal virtues are:
Wisdom (acting to the best of our knowledge and critical thinking)
Courage (dont be a coward)
Justice (treat all souls kindly and fairly. If others do wrong and think ill, that's their problem, but i myself will not be found doing anything despicable)
Temperance (self control and detachment)

The Stoic abandons anxious consideration of the past and the future and others opinions. If something seems good and just and true after your most consideration, then do it, mo matter what others think. To live fully in the present moment, master of your own action, practicing wisdom, courage justice and self-control. That's virtuous living, thats the stoic path.

Read the 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius.

[whartanto]

Funny that I learned this myself 9 years ago when I faced panic attacks. Think of the worst possible outcome; and accept (and truly believe) that it will happen. The second I accept that, all my fear disappeared.

[gooney]

I'm quite mind blown considering my journey through depression led me to live this way before watching this video. In the years after high school I setup a moral code/law for myself that I never wish to break. I went from high middle class to homeless within a day, by choice, but in said society doing such a thing is difficult. Everyone around me worried yet I simply trusted my path. I was basically forced back into a "normal life" yet I always wish to go back. I've been realizing how carelessly I live recently (compared to others in my life) and attempting to justify these things but ultimately it always comes back to the thought "this is me". I even remember on a phone call with a friend I said I think of both negative and positive outcomes to prepare myself for anything. Yet doing so makes you a strange person.