What strikes me, though, is that the dichotomy of control may be more subversive today than it was in antiquity.
We inhabit systems engineered to capture attention and amplify status anxiety. They blur the boundary between what is up to us and what is not, constantly pushing us to monitor reputation, metrics, and reactions. In that context, the Stoic distinction becomes less a calming technique and more a refusal to let external volatility dictate inner life.
The challenge, perhaps, is not understanding the dichotomy intellectually. It is maintaining it in environments designed to dissolve it.
This was a good post, and yet, in labeling certain emotions as destructive, I see the limitation of stoicism. The view of quite a few spiritual traditions is that all emotions are really yourself and they have a reason for being. Integrating them into a harmonious whole is the stuff the path is made of.
Every approach has its perks and costs I would say Carlos. I like Nietzsche's old quote to do with Stoicism:
"Stoicism may be quite advisable for men with whom fate improvises, for those who live in violent times and are dependent on abrupt and changeable individuals. He, however, who anticipates that fate will permit him to spin "a long thread," does well to make his arrangements in Epicurean fashion; all men devoted to intellectual labour have done it hitherto!"
Thank you for having me over to write a special guest piece. I hope your readers enjoy, and a have a nice summer ahead!
Absolutely pleasure Enda. Gem of an article thanks for sharing some Stoic wisdom!
Great article Thanks
What strikes me, though, is that the dichotomy of control may be more subversive today than it was in antiquity.
We inhabit systems engineered to capture attention and amplify status anxiety. They blur the boundary between what is up to us and what is not, constantly pushing us to monitor reputation, metrics, and reactions. In that context, the Stoic distinction becomes less a calming technique and more a refusal to let external volatility dictate inner life.
The challenge, perhaps, is not understanding the dichotomy intellectually. It is maintaining it in environments designed to dissolve it.
Superb as always, Enda! I love the Cicero anecdote. Hits the nail on the head.
This was a good post, and yet, in labeling certain emotions as destructive, I see the limitation of stoicism. The view of quite a few spiritual traditions is that all emotions are really yourself and they have a reason for being. Integrating them into a harmonious whole is the stuff the path is made of.
Every approach has its perks and costs I would say Carlos. I like Nietzsche's old quote to do with Stoicism:
"Stoicism may be quite advisable for men with whom fate improvises, for those who live in violent times and are dependent on abrupt and changeable individuals. He, however, who anticipates that fate will permit him to spin "a long thread," does well to make his arrangements in Epicurean fashion; all men devoted to intellectual labour have done it hitherto!"
Thanks for Writing this Article, It's a great reminder for what is Important and what Is not.
Appreciate it!