Stoicism's Modern Revival: Ancient Philosophy vs. Online Distortions
Stoicism has become the philosophy of the moment, particularly within the more absurd corners of the so-called manosphere. This online realm of supposedly masculine influencers is described by author Tom Hodgkinson as "buff, greedy and combative." These figures promote a distorted version of Stoicism to their followers, promising that it can make them "successful, masculine... make a lot of money... date and sleep with a lot of girls." Hodgkinson scathingly dismisses this interpretation, though he refrains from naming the "shallow-brained noodle" behind it—a figure many suspect to be Andrew Tate.
The Authentic Teachings of Stoicism
In his lively, humorous, and effortlessly educational new guide, Hodgkinson—the presiding genius behind the Idler magazine and its philosophy school—delves into what ancient Stoicism from Greece and Rome truly taught. The Idler philosophy encourages pursuing life-enriching activities rather than succumbing to consumerism or corporate drudgery.
Stoicism originated in Athens in 303 BC with a humble incident. A "bearded and dishevelled old philosopher" named Crates accidentally smashed a bowl of lentil soup carried by a young Phoenician named Zeno. When Zeno fled in embarrassment, Crates reassured him it was no big deal. From this modest beginning, Zeno founded a profound philosophical tradition.
Core Principles: Control and Inner Sovereignty
The Stoics taught maintaining calm amidst adversity, trusting in Fate, Providence, or God—concepts they viewed as essentially identical. While individuals cannot control external events like politics, economics, war, or even spilled soup, they can govern their responses to these circumstances. True sovereignty lies solely within our own minds, a truth often neglected today. As Hodgkinson emphasizes, "Stop trying to control the things you can't control, and start controlling the things you can control."
Modern online distortions of Stoicism focus on gaining power over others, but the original philosophy is precisely the opposite: achieving mastery over oneself. This leads not to cold detachment but to serenity and happiness, akin to Buddhist or Taoist monks. Happiness stems from within, and each person commands that inner realm. Realizing this is an enormous superpower. Hodgkinson illustrates this with a ten-year-old girl's observation about her grandfather: "My grandfather is in a wheelchair but he doesn't mind." A perfect encapsulation of Stoic resilience.
Rejecting External Measures of Success
Money, fame, and success hold no power to confer happiness, a truth evident in the often-tormented lives of today's wealthy and famous. The ancient Stoic view of passion also contrasts sharply with modern romantic ideals. To the Stoics, passion was a form of madness. Roman Stoic Seneca even described love for one's own wife as "friendship gone mad." He advocated avoiding anxiety, rage, misery, and excessive erotic love, considering them detrimental to tranquility.
Instead, Stoics placed high value on friendship, with sincerity as its cornerstone. Pursuing constant tranquility, kindness, and consideration for all humanity is incompatible with wild passions like rage or romantic love, which enslave individuals and undermine Stoic independence and self-reliance.
Practical Applications and Modern Parallels
Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" is often cited as a quintessentially stoical work. Seneca's practical advice remains relevant: when anger arises, remain still and do nothing—it will pass, much like the modern adage to "count to ten before speaking." Acting in the heat of passion leads to regret and poor decisions; patience restores calm and sanity. While rage might appear noble in fiction, in reality—such as supermarket car park outbursts—it merely looks foolish.
Staying calm and clear-headed in the face of anger, chaos, or danger exemplifies true capability and strength. Fascinatingly, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the most effective real-world therapy for various conditions, aligns closely with Stoic principles. Both focus on altering one's perceptions and responses to external circumstances rather than changing the world itself. By adjusting thoughts and feelings, greater happiness can be achieved, though this is easier said than done.
Embracing Life's Full Spectrum
Endearingly, Hodgkinson admits that while Stoicism greatly aids him during troubles, he sometimes ignores its teachings. He recounts an evening with friends where he overindulged in margaritas, ended up in a karaoke bar singing and dancing to Abba, and cherished this "Dionysian revelry." His book is rich with insights and quotations from original Stoic texts, such as Seneca's observation: "Liberty does not come for free. If you value it, you must devalue everything else." Wise and wonderful indeed.
