Stoicism

Today is class we talked about Epictetus and Stoicism. Stoicism says that in order to be happy you must maintain a will in accord with nature and that you should follow where reason leads. I agree with some of the things in Stoicism but then strongly disagree with others. For instance, I agree with the four cardinal virtues being wisdom, courage, justice and temperance. I think if you always abide by those four traits then you can live a very virtuous lifestyle or if you at least try to keep these in your daily life. Because let’s face it, it is hard to always have wisdom, courage, justice and temperance in today’s society. I also agree that a lot things are done out of ignorance and can be blamed solely on the ignorance of people. However, I disagree with the belief that you should follow where reason leads. I think by always following intellectually and not with any emotions, you would live a very detached life and never experience true happiness. What if reason doesn’t lead you to happiness? What kind of life would that be to never be happy just because you weren’t led there? Also, like we talked about in class Section 26 on page 61, when someone breaks a cup or when someone’s spouse or child dies can’t just be like oh well it happens but expect sympathy when it happens to you. I understand the point it’s trying to make, people want sympathy and that attention that comes with it but hold back when it happens to someone else. I think those are two completely different emotions you experience. First of all you can replace a broken cup however, you cannot replace that specific child or spouse that dies. Most people always express their sorrow for you no matter if it was their own. Yes, people do die and it happens but that does not mean it hurts any less no matter if you are related to them or not, it hurts. I think Stoicism would be a very hard lifestyle to have. It has some valid points but from an emotional standpoint, it would not be the one for me.