EfficientCategory110
EfficientCategory110 t1_j7mdtq7 wrote
The way I read Nietzsche, he was not so much against stoicism, but instead supported a belief that we all feel the same emotions even if we don’t outwardly display them. Nietzsche viewed emotions and reason as complementary, but he also claimed that too much emotion was a display of weakness. It’s quite possible that he considered practicing stoics as being rather detached. However, I don’t read him as outright rebuking stoicism either.
Stoicism, at least the popular view of the Greek/Roman version, is about keeping your shit together whenever you hit a bump in the road. In that way you can attain a more satisfying life by focusing on the things that really matter. In a nutshell, bad things happen, so accept it and move on. I know stoicism is more than this, but in the case of the blog being referenced, the author seems to be focusing on stoicism within modern daily life.
I respect the author, Neil Durrant, and his position on this. He is an expert on ethics, and I am not, so I’m not going to attempt to criticize what he has written. I accept his views as valid. Stoicism is not for everyone, and I accept that as well. All I’m going to say is that I believe following the four virtues of stoicism is a worthy endeavour in our current culture in which emotions and fear seem to be ever-present.
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EfficientCategory110 t1_j7ncqw8 wrote
Reply to comment by Divallo in 3 reasons not to be a Stoic (but try Nietzsche instead) by Apotheosical
I agree with you; and yes, pop culture’s interpretation of stoicism is a bit skewed towards suggesting to not feel any emotions at all, as if that’s some sort of a bad thing. I never read anywhere in the ancient stoic texts where it said not to feel one’s emotions. Rather, the stoics’ point was for one to not react, or give in, to the emotions one is feeling at the moment. But then pop culture is often short-sighted when it comes to interpreting philosophy.
Interestingly, cognitive behaviour therapy’s roots are in part taken from Epictetus’ teachings on stoicism. One of CBT’s main tenants can be simply expressed in the words of Epictetus, in which he states “men are disturbed not by things, but by views which they take from them.” I consider this one quote of Epictetus, all by itself, as being worthy of practicing in everyday life.
My last comment is in regards to Donald Robertson’s book, The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychology. In his book he explains the origins of stoic therapy, as was practiced in Roman times, and how it directly influenced modern CBT therapy. It’s quite enlightening and worth the read if someone is so inclined.
Also worth reading is, https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/fixing-families/201910/what-stoics-can-teach-us-about-mental-health?amp