I write this article in honour of my former Philosophy lecturers the late Prof. Ogola and Prof. Muga K’Olale who were ardent proponents of Stoic Philosophy.
I also write to encourage all to consider upholding stoicism for their emotional and mental health.
It must be underscored that mental health has reached a fever pitch crisis that requires urgent attention by taking self-control of our emotions.
What is stoicism
Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic (Ancient Greek) philosophy founded in Athens in the early third century BCE. Zeno of Citium is the philosopher credited with starting Stoicism.
Stoicism teaches us to gain more self-control and to find peace of mind by accepting each moment as it is.
Stoicism is a philosophy in the pursuit of self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom.
Stoicism philosophy has many things in common with major Asian philosophical systems of thought, such as Buddhism, Confucianism and African traditional beliefs.
Stoicism is a philosophy intended to make everyone more resilient, happier, more virtuous and wiser–and as a result, better leaders, better people, better parents and better professionals.
Stoicism has been credited to the exemplary leadership and lives of the history’s great world leaders.
Some of the notable celebrated philosophers and world leaders who observed stoicism include; Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Frederick the Great, Montaigne, Martin Luther King Jnr, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Theodore Roosevelt, and General James Mattis.
Key Virtues of Stoicism
The Stoics believed that humans are social animals that are able to use reason to solve life challenges and that the ability to reason is the basis of values.
The following are indispensable values in Stoic philosophy:
- Courage
- Temperance.
- Justice
- Wisdom
Marcus Aurelius almost twenty centuries ago affirmed, “If, at some point in your life you should come across anything better than justice, truth, self-control, courage—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed.”
True to that, humans are naturally curious and creative.
Many scientific and technological discoveries and inventions have been made since then including the internet, automobiles, vaccines—but have we found anything better?
- than being brave?
- than moderation and sobriety?
- than doing what’s right?
- than truth and understanding?
No, never. The above traits are an opportunity to respond to life situations with stoic values.
Seneca notes that we all face life challenges and he actually pitied people who have never experienced misfortune. He affirms that courage is key in responding to life situations.
Aristotle in his metaphor “Golden Mean”, he denoted that on one end of the spectrum, there was cowardice—that’s a deficiency of courage.
On the other, there was recklessness—too much courage. He called for balance – temperament which according to Aristotle is about values and excellence.
Epictetus affirmed that we have to develop the day-to-day habits that allow this to ensue. Marcus Aurelius said that justice is “the source of all the other virtues.”
Stoics throughout history have pushed and advocated for justice, oftentimes at great personal risk and with great courage, in order to do great things and defend the people and ideas that they loved.
There are Countless great leaders, politicians and activists have upheld the stoic philosophy in pursuit for democracy and justice.
Courage, temperance and justice are core virtues of life. Stoics uphold wisdom as a very important virtue in life.
Zeno of Citium's timeless wisdom, "Man conquers the world by conquering himself." Zeno’s ancient principles guide us to our best selves.
He encourages us to practice Stoicism daily. To build mental strength. Turn hardships into growth opportunities.
Thrive through uncertainties. We must embrace the Stoic path. Plato affirmed that wisdom is the ability which by itself is productive of human happiness; the knowledge of what is good and bad; the knowledge that produces happiness; the disposition by which we judge what is to be done and what is not to be done.
In summary, wisdom can be concluded from different philosophers as the knowledge of things human and divine and of the causes by which those things are controlled.
In our daily life, we should observe wisdom as it informs our application of the other three cardinal virtues of Justice, Courage, and Temperance.
Virtues and vices are understood to be dependable moral dispositions. The Stoics divide vices into foolishness, injustice, cowardice and intemperance. All stoics advise us to avoid the vices if we were to live a happy life.
Questions of the best way to live have been around for at least as long as time immemorial. We need temperance and courage to pursue our own interests.
We need justice out of concern for other people’s interests and ultimately, we need wisdom to deal with the inevitable conflicts.
Eliud
Muriithi
Director Commercial Services, KEMSA