For those of us who live our lives in the real world, there is one branch of philosophy created just for us: Stoicism. It’s a philosophy designed to make us more resilient, happier, more virtuous and more wise–and as a result, better people, better parents and better professionals.
Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE, remains a powerful and relevant guide for personal development in modern times. This philosophy teaches the development of self-control, resilience, and virtue as a path to true happiness and fulfillment.
Stoic philosophy is traditionally divided into three interconnected disciplines: logic, physics, and ethics. Stoic logic focuses on highly intentional reasoning through propositions, arguments, and the differentiation between truth and falsehood.
By the 14th century, English speakers had adopted the noun stoic as a general term for anyone able to face adversity calmly and without excess emotion, and by the 15th century, stoic was being used as an adjective to describe that same kind of person.
Stoicism, a school of thought that flourished in Greek and Roman history of Classical antiquity. It was one of the loftiest and most sublime philosophies in the record of Western civilization.
This entry introduces the main doctrines and arguments of the three parts of Stoic philosophy – physics, logic, and ethics – emphasizing their interlocking structure. We also review the history of the school, the extant sources for Stoic doctrine, and the Stoics’ subsequent philosophical influence.
What Is Stoicism? A Definition & 9 Stoic Exercises To Get You Started
Most people don’t struggle because life is hard — they struggle because their mind reacts to everything. Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches you how to stay calm under pressure, think clearly during chaos, and focus only on what you can control.