The Stoics’ physical theory is startling. They believed that active substances could pervade passive ones. In other words, the soul permeates the physical body, not the other way around, like water does in a sponge. This was known as mutual coextensiveness, or total blending. While the Stoics were unable to explain this exact scientific relationship, they did understand that matter is made up of two components: passive matter and active pneuma.
Indifferents
The indifferents are things that do not contribute to happiness or detract from it. They do not contribute to happiness either, but they can be used well or wrongly. As such, the Stoics consider them indifferent. Those who choose to be indifferent must first understand what nature is. There are some indifferents that contribute to happiness, while others detract from it. Consequently, a Stoic must understand his or her own nature in order to avoid using them improperly.
Indifferents are a part of the world, but not the source of it. Virtues, on the other hand, are infinitely more valuable than indifferents. By virtue, we tip the scale from apathy to well-being, eudaimonia. Ultimately, a good life is better than no happiness at all. But that doesn’t mean we should not consider ourselves as the source of our happiness.
The Stoics believe that true beauty comes from character. While friendship isn’t always possible, it is best to have at least one good friend. Friendship can be a powerful calling card. It will pay off in the long run. A Stoic will also compare himself to a hypothetical Stoic Sage – a perfectly good and wise personality. Such a person would be a great help in the worst of times.
Perceptual presentation
For Stoics, the concept of perception and the process of cognition are one and the same. The human soul is a physical entity and, therefore, it is able to receive physical things such as sounds, smells, and sights. Stoics emphasized the importance of recognizing the difference between true and false presentations. Perceptual presentation was considered to be the essence of a Stoic principle.
The Stoics believed that reason, or the lekton, is an abstract entity that may not be corporeal. In their theory of action, the lekton acts as the medium through which a person or a thing perceives information. As a result, lekton is a principle of Stoic logic and theory of mind. Perceptual presentation is an essential aspect of the principle of assent.
As a philosophy, Stoicism is built upon discussion and discourse. Today, Stoicism has found its natural home on the internet. Stoic podcasts have become popular, Massimo Pigliucci’s essay “How to Be a Stoic” was widely shared on social media, and many influential modern stoics dabble in Youtube Videos. This makes Stoicism accessible to a broad range of people.
As a philosophy of mind, Stoics focused on the soul, which they believed was composed of three parts: the body, the mind, and the soul. As such, they considered each of these three parts to be related to the soul. Their theory of the soul also included ideas pertaining to language, meaning, and intentionality. In the Stoics’ view, these parts of the soul were intertwined.
Cognitive presentation
In the ancient Greek philosophy, Stoics distinguished between rational and irrational presentations. Rationality is the product of the human mind, and it can be based on the distinction between real and fictional objects. A Stoic’s idea of the distinction between real and imaginary is called phantastikon. In other words, we perceive things with our senses, but our mind generates ideas and beliefs from these images.
To live a good life, Stoics believe that action is the key to a happy life. They emphasize the importance of action and righteous thinking. They believe that life is worth living, and that worry is irrational and counterproductive. They believe that if you are virtuous and live according to these principles, you can be free from worry and stress. This helps you deal with difficult situations in a more rational way.
In addition to valuing happiness, Stoics also emphasize the importance of virtue. By living according to reason and virtue, we live in accordance with the divine order. Hence, we should avoid being influenced by other people’s feelings and thoughts. Moreover, we must be aware of what makes us feel unhappy and strive to prevent them from happening. When we can live according to virtue and reason, we can improve our life.
Amor Fati
Amor Fati means “love is the greatest pleasure” in Greek and Latin. It is a Stoic principle that says that you should love despite everything. The value of a person is in his character and what he has to offer. Everything else is just an illusion. To live your life honorably is the highest priority. Amor Fati is one of the 8 principles of Stoicism.
Amor Fati means “love is the ultimate beauty.” Your character is your calling card. Your character will pay off in the long run. A Stoic is said to compare himself to an ideal Stoic Sage, an incredibly good, wise person. It is said that he can advise anyone in difficult circumstances. Similarly, a Stoic can live a good life even if they do not have material goods.
To live a life of pleasure is to accept what you have without complaining. Stoic author William Irvine called this process “negative visualization.”
Amor Fati is a concept that is very important to the Stoics. In their teachings, the Stoics emphasized virtue, which is the ultimate good in the face of adversity. Moreover, they taught the importance of virtue and the disciplines that go with it. However, unlike Cynics and Peripatetics, Stoics did not allow the use of things like pleasure and luxury, as long as one maintains a good attitude toward them.
Resilience
Resilience is a skill that enables you to bounce back after adversity. In order to develop resiliency, you should practice doing things that you love. To practice resilience, try this simple exercise: divide into two large concentric circles and ask each person to write down their definitions and examples of resilience. Then, pass them around the circle, so everyone can see and comment on the definitions.
The Greeks and Romans used very different language and symbolism when explaining their philosophy. Buddha, for example, preached living in the moment and minimizing worries about the future. These ancient philosophers, who were also very influential in the development of modern personal development techniques, adapted the Stoic philosophy to apply to their own lives. Resilience is one of the 8 principles of Stoicism.
Resilience is a key virtue of the stoic mindset. People who practice Stoicism develop resilience in situations where they feel overwhelmed. Stoics believe that most of life is out of their control. In other words, if you catch an illness, you are no more responsible than if you were in a dirty house. Ultimately, you are merely a product of the events that have happened in the past and the germs you have come into contact with.
In a recent article in Psychology Today, author Ryan Holiday describes the importance of a Stoic mindset in dealing with adversity. He suggests that the Stoics are able to view problems as opportunities for growth and equanimity in the face of adversity. When you develop resilience, you are more likely to face adversity, rather than allowing your emotions to control your actions.
Character
As the philosophy of Stoicism states, the true value of a person lies in their core and personality. Everything else is temporary, and a true Stoic never complains or wants to have more of anything. This philosophy also says that a person should not worry about what others think of him, and he should live his life according to his core values. To do so, he must remain unbiased and unattached to the external world.
Another aspect of the philosophy is its emphasis on self-control. The stoic is a self-disciplined person, and is not easily swayed by emotions. The stoic is not emotionless, but rather a man who rises above feelings and applies reason to make better decisions in life. Those who practice stoicism are often considered to be the wisest human beings in the world.
Stoics place a high value on rationality and logic. This philosophy aims to teach one’s mind to observe reality objectively and deduce principles that are always in line with his duties. The stoic stance on emotions, and the role of emotion, can be best understood through its focus on self-discipline and the non-relational view of virtue. In addition, the Stoic approach is also useful in the military because of its emphasis on self-discipline.