[View Handbook]Rationality simply means to base everything – judgment, perception, action, etc. – on reason. The Stoics believe that the “logos” exist in our reason and therefore regard it as some divine power. It’s the only thing we can control and if we put our energy into it rather than things that outside ourselves, we will live a much better life. They constantly remind us to see things and events for what they truly are…
[View Handbook] The dichotomy of control which is probably the most popular practice among the stoics stems from a deep belief that “logos” operates in sort of two categories: individuals and cosmos (universe).In individuals, it exists in our faculty of reason. “Logos” is responsible for the order and coherence with which it operates and stoics teachings said that if we use reason, our rationality, we will conduct ourselves in harmony in such that in a way…
[View Handbook] For the Stoics, the only thing that we have complete control over is our thoughts. It’s normal that we are constantly bombarded with perceptions because our brain is designed by nature to scan everything that we sense in the external world. This so-called “flight-or-fight” response is the same instinct we share with other animals that Mother Nature designed for our own survival. For example, if somebody tries to say something that would endanger our…
[View Handbook]Temperance basically means moderation or self-control. The emperor Marcus Aurelius countlessly reminded himself not to be compulsive in his book "The Meditations". He always said that what sets us, humans apart from animals is our ability to control our impulses. Animals are slaves to their senses and desires and he warns about external temptations that could potentially enslave us with our senses. In the modern age, drugs, alcohol and other forms of indulgence and…
[View Handbook]As with other philosophies in Ancient Rome, the stoics believe that only thing that matters to achieve the happiness (highest good) are virtues. They are good habits that guarantees a good life. External things like wealth and fame may not necessarily bring you happiness in life it’s all about your behavior to them. For example you may have plenty of money but if you don’t practice temperance in your expenditure you will no longer…