Stoicism in modern life
"Do not ask what is happening, but what should be done."
- Zenon of Citium
Perhaps because the word "courage" comes from the Latin word "cor," which means heart, we say that when we are brave, we follow the voice of our heart. "Your heart is truly free. It is your heart that decides where your true independence lies. Only the heart knows what you really want and what you desire at any moment. But you must be brave to listen to it." (1)
I think I often catch myself wanting more than I have at the moment. Although I realize I have a lot, looking at others, I don't feel fulfilled enough. After all, like all of us, I aspire to complete happiness. But even though I already have a few ideas of where to find it, I still search for other sources. Is it worth seeking happiness outside?
Definitely not. It is worth starting by looking for happiness internally and asking yourself a few questions. What values are important to me? What brings me joy and fulfillment? What drives my life? You don't really need much to be happy. Often, what is most important is within your reach.
Zenon of Citium, a respected merchant, courageously abandoned his previous life to start anew in Athens. It was there that he became famous for leading philosophical discussions on the porch, which became a source of inspiration for creating Stoicism - a philosophical movement that proclaimed that virtue is the key to achieving happiness.
Zenon distinguished four basic virtues that he considered the pillars of Stoicism: self-control, courage, justice, and wisdom. According to his teaching, we achieve happiness through internal discipline, conscientiously fulfilling our duties, and not succumbing to emotions in the face of external events. Stoicism promoted the development of internal peace, resilience to stress, and emotional balance. Zenon of Citium's achievements became an inspiration for many later Stoic philosophers, such as Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius.
Epictetus is indeed an ideal example of applying Stoic principles in life. His life path was full of adversity - born as a slave in Rome, he had to face difficult conditions and limitations associated with his social status. Despite these obstacles, thanks to his unwavering perseverance, determination, and internal peace, he managed to gain freedom and become a respected philosopher. His contributions were so significant that he became friends with Emperor Hadrian. With his life and teaching, Epictetus showed how important it is to maintain emotional balance and courage in the face of difficulties.
In today's world, everyone is treated as a consumer, which makes us more concerned about how we are perceived than about sticking to our values. The pursuit of material goods has become a way of life, but does it really lead to happiness? "By buying more things, we buy short-lived happiness that comes and goes easily." (3) The most important things require time and attention, not just spending money.
The lessons from the lives of Zenon and Epictetus are relevant even today, so it's worth considering how to apply Stoic principles in practice. We don't have to resort to materialism to be happy. We can seek happiness and fulfillment in simple things like spending time with family and friends, developing our interests, or helping others. By focusing on values and internal balance, we can achieve complete happiness, regardless of external circumstances.
Bibliography:
https://pieknoumyslu.com/serce-odwaga-wysluchaj-go/
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicyzm
Filozofia stoicka jako źródło sposobu życia w kulturze konsumpcyjnej, Nina Wróblewska