What did Stoics believe and apply?

Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions; the philosophy holds that becoming a clear and unbiased thinker allows one to understand the universal reason (logos).

Are Stoics negative?

A basic Stoic principle says that external events cannot be negative or positive but only indifferent because they are not under our control. That’s why imagined and real ‘misfortunes’ are not actually negative to the Stoics. Only the reactions to them can be good or bad.

What was the goal of the Stoics?

“It is the power of the mind to be unconquerable.” The ultimate goal of Stoicism is to develop the mind to such an extent that the practitioner would reach a state of being called eudaimonia.

What is the opposite of stoicism?

Libertinism is the opposite of stoicism. Libertinism is the embrace of indulgence and a lack of self-restraint and is a radical form of hedonism….

How was stoicism created?

Stoicism originated as a Hellenistic philosophy, founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium (modern day Cyprus), c. 300 B.C.E. The name comes from the Stoa Poikile, or painted porch, an open market in Athens where the original Stoics used to meet and teach philosophy.

What is negative visualization in stoicism?

Negative visualization was the stoics’ answer to the problem of hedonic adaptation — your tendency to get used to the good things in life, become ungrateful, and desire more in a constant cycle of dissatisfaction. “The stoics thought they had an answer to [hedonic adaptation].

What does stoicism argue about negativity?

The Stoics argued that these negative feelings are not the product of events themselves but how we think about them; as such it is entirely within our power to avoid them by changing the way we judge things. The key to making good judgements is developing the right sort of character.

Who created the philosophy of Stoicism?

Zeno of Citium
Stoicism takes its name from the place where its founder, Zeno of Citium (Cyprus), customarily lectured—the Stoa Poikile (Painted Colonnade). Zeno, who flourished in the early 3rd century bce, showed in his own doctrines the influence of earlier Greek attitudes, particularly those mentioned above.

How do Stoics believe happiness is achieved?

Stoicism holds that the key to a good, happy life is the cultivation of an excellent mental state, which the Stoics identified with virtue and being rational. The ideal life is one that is in harmony with Nature, of which we are all part, and an attitude of calm indifference towards external events.

Why is it useful to understand the history of Stoicism?

It is useful to understand the history of Stoicism because how we tend to use it colloquially is a bit different from its original meaning. Stoicism is the name of an ancient Greek philosophy that was founded during what is called the Hellenistic period.

Is stoicism making a comeback in modern times?

Despite Stoicism being an ancient Greek philosophy it is making a strong comeback in modern times and is a school of thought many are using to be more happy with life.

Why do Stoics believe in ‘misfortunes’ and how do they handle them?

That’s why imagined and real ‘misfortunes’ are not actually negative to the Stoics. Only the reactions to them can be good or bad. This is the reason why they want to prepare so well, so that they’ll be able to respond smartly. They lay their focus not on what happens but on how they respond to what happens.

What did the Stoics teach us about love?

The stoics urged practitioners to regularly remember that their beloved mates, children, and friends were not theirs, but merely someone they were gifted with for an unknown period of time.