Ian Weinberg

5 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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Indulge in the virtues of stoicism

Indulge in the virtues of stoicism

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I perceive much whinging, wining, envy, vengefulness and an unhealthy dose of disparaging judgementalism in our midst.


May I humbly offer an age-old remedy – the virtues of stoicism. The philosophy of stoicism and its application dates back to Socrates and in essence goes something like this: You are who you are as a result of influences over which you had no control. But having arrived at this place and this point in time, all you can do is to be the best that you can be by honest and committed application. You are not responsible for who you are or for any other individual. But you are and remain responsible for all that you do.

Consequently all that you are is in the doing. Know that you alone can only change what you think, say and do. You cannot change others nor any other components of the extended environment over which you have no influence. In real terms, nothing can be changed by whinging, whining or blaming. And as you apply your mind to words and actions, be aware and respectful of your own strengths and weakness – be self-respectful. Additionally be aware of these things in others with a non judgemental, sensitive and respectful disposition, for you can only guide and advise others. The doing is theirs alone.

Acknowledge 'own needs' but refrain from mistaking ‘wants’ for needs. For if you create needs out of all your ‘wants’ you shall be relegated to a life of fear of loss/failure with perpetual distraction from the essence of your existence. Fear only loss of self-respect and disrespect for the environment.

Finally, be inspired to action by the virtue of contributing value to self, others and to the environment – making things better than they were before you engaged therewith.

Let me play out with a lecture on the Virtues of Stoicism as practiced by one of the greatest leaders of the Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius. So grab your popcorn and watch this excellent, inspirational lecture. Never has it been more applicable than to our times and to the leaders that we’ve inherited. 

See:  

https://youtu.be/5897dMWJiSM


#Stoicism #Roman Empire #Socrates #Indulge #Virtues
Comments

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #32

#36
Thanks Randy.

Randall Burns

5 years ago #31

Great post Ian Weinberg with a very engaged discussion. It always comes down to a matter of perspective doesn't it? "Is the glass half full or half empty"? ""Is it partly sunny or partly cloudy"? Ultimately, as you present so well, it is an individual choice as to how we "perceive" these outside factors, (outside and removed from our "selves"), and you illustrate brilliantly that we can "choose" how we like; our choice is "the personal bent of our nature" but we do have the power to change that, if we want to... Well done Sir!

Phil Friedman

5 years ago #30

#28
Yes, Lada \ud83c\udfe1 Prkic, both Stoicism and Cynicism are philosophies of positive strength and the affirmation of life and living -- much more so, to my mind, that Pollyanna-like world views that hold "everything will be alright if we just all think positively." https://www.bebee.com/producer/@friedman-phil/cynicism-can-be-the-final-refuge-of-idealism Cheers!

Debasish Majumder

5 years ago #29

stoicism is surely a default mechanism and i do believe, it is surely a resort to majority who may not able to raise their voices against the atrocities being endowed to them by the people belonging from higher echelon! i agree with sirAli \ud83d\udc1d Anani, Brand Ambassador @beBee.

Ali Anani

5 years ago #28

#29
Please IIan Weinberg tag me when you share your reflections. I am glad that we are now in full agreement.

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #27

#27
Thank you for the kind words Ali \ud83d\udc1d Anani, Brand Ambassador @beBee Indeed you raise an important point and one which I omitted - positive action inspires while negative action or intention has the opposite effect. And this often has an influence beyond one's subjective perception. This I shall reflect upon. Thanks again.

Lada 🏡 Prkic

5 years ago #26

Observing people close to me, I think that a healthy dose of cynicism, i.e. to live in accordance with your own nature is, I would say, desirable for accepting a life full of pain and injustice but also for trying to defy those realities of life by "applying your minds to words and actions."

Ali Anani

5 years ago #25

Ian Weinberg- i truly enjoyed this buzz. It has deep meanings. This is the controversy I have with you. You wrote "Know that you alone can only change what you think, say and do. You cannot change others nor any other components of the extended environment over which you have no influence". How then I am so influenced by this moving buzz? You influenced me and so without doing it intentionally. you influenced me. Is the influence so impacting to change me remains a question of time. Yelling may intoxicate the environment, which in turn could hurt us. The magnitude and frequency of the wave of influence may change from one person to another. I loved the simplicity and depth of your writing "Acknowledge 'own needs' but refrain from mistaking ‘wants’ for needs". A lovely buzz that makes me think and so I am sharing it.

Paul Walters

5 years ago #24

Ian Weinberg Thanks for that...Socrates rocks!!!

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #23

#13
I guess it's quite in order to throw in a touch of Hedonism into the stoic mix Ken. But as the man says, just the right dose so that the pain doesn't exceed the pleasure. Have a great Up Over day.

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #22

#18
Profound stuff. But the die is cast and the '"if only's" remain pie in the sky. It is what it is and the best that we can do is mind our own acres. Perhaps critical mass will carry us through to a better space.

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #21

#15
Thanks Lisa Vanderburg That clip was just too good not to share.

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #20

#20
Thanks for that Debasish Majumder

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #19

#14
Thanks for contribution Praveen. For me there are many similarities between the core Buddhist teachings and Stoicism. I believe that they both tap core truths of the human condition.

Debasish Majumder

5 years ago #18

excellent buzz sir Ian Weinberg! enjoyed read and shared. thank you for the buzz sir.

Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris

5 years ago #17

I would very much like to flood this comment section with praises about the post, but given that the Stoic thing to do is to state that it's the duty of a Bee to post worthy content on this platform, I shall refrain from making any praises at all :-)

Pascal Derrien

5 years ago #16

Every now and again you bumped into something that makes you stop...that's one of those moments :-)

Lisa Vanderburg

5 years ago #15

Take a page from this book, if you can! Can't say I've suceeded, ut we try....

Lisa Vanderburg

5 years ago #14

Fascinating contradiction Prof Sugrue highlights in Lord Acton's famous quote and the reality of a man of true stoicism; Marcus Aurelius. This particular Caesar, all-powerful though he was, remained steadfastly stoic when all around him was gluttony, greed and all those nasty faces of humanity. The Prof says 'instead, absolute power allowed us to see what the man underneath the body was really like...what his soul was like'. He then goes on to admit that hardly any could have stayed the course - himself included. Great buzz Ian Weinberg and thatnks for the education!

Ken Boddie

5 years ago #13

#11
Talking of 'gaps', Ian, reminds me of the class gap in my UK days growing up. The aristocracy were outwardly 'stoically' proactive in their 'stiff upper lip' approach to life and its challenges, whereas the proletariat were more prone to comic reaction to what life threw their way, verging on the sarcastic or even sadistic. Here in Australia, where we appear (at least on the outside) to be a virtually classless society, we fail to embrace the concept of the 'stand-up' stoic (in effect, the oxymoron of Mr Spock telling hilarious one-liners) and tend to drag everything down to a common denominator through cutting humour (hence the 'tall poppy syndrome'). Perhaps if we all had a more stoic "non judgemental, sensitive and respectful disposition", society 'up over' would be more pleasant and unified, but, there again, from where would our comedians draw ammunition for our entertainment, and what would we talk about in the pub? Furthermore, in a society that doesn't tip, what would initiate and sustain good service, if we were too damned tolerant? While recognising and praising the 'stoic' virtues of 'wisdom', 'courage', 'justice' and 'temperance', they're all a hard act to follow. After all, shouldn't our wisdom keep us from getting into situations where we really need to be both wise and brave, and, where's the fun in being sober as a judge?

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #12

#9
Humbled. Thanks Jerry.

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #11

#7
It's that 'gap' Ken. Just gotta remember to 'mind the gap'!

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #10

#6
Thanks for that Phil Friedman For many reasons I had you in mind when I posted this.

Jerry Fletcher

5 years ago #9

ian, This is the kind of thinking with direction to additional resources that make me a follower of a handful of brilliant minds that inhabit BeBee. Than you for once again bringing light into the darkness all around us. I appreciate you more than you may know.

Harvey Lloyd

5 years ago #8

Thanks, really enjoyed the video. You learned me som’um today😀

Ken Boddie

5 years ago #7

Your post, Ian, inspired me to dig up this stoic and epic explanation of the simple “stop and count to ten”. “Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control.” 🤔

Phil Friedman

5 years ago #6

This, Ian Weinberg, is a great post. Embarrassingly better than the current detritus that is inundating beBee. I fear, however, that some will misunderstand and go on to believe that Stoicism is a form of intentional disengagement of the kind propounded by Rheinhold Niebuhr in his oft-quoted Serenity Prayer. For both Stoics and Niebuhrians recognize there is much in the world they cannot control. But Stoics, I submit, refuse to accept what is wrong without a struggle. And not pain nor even death shall deflect them from trying to do what is right and moral and just. I guarantee that no true Stoic would have stood silently before Nazi atrocities simply because there was little or even no chance of resisting. I have personally always (or at least since my undergrad days) believed that Cynicism and Stoicism were actually two sides of the same philosophical coin. Thanks for this... and for the links to a great lecture. Cheers!

CityVP Manjit

5 years ago #5

#3
The courage aspect is interesting. Look at this account from a person who suffers from depression and how they account stoicism saved their life https://dailystoic.com/stoicism-saved-my-life/ It is this facing up to reality which intrigues me because it does not rely on an antidote called hope. Stoicism is not us medicated ourselves but more importantly examining what is and understand the dividing line between seeing reason versus having faith in that which we do not actually control.

CityVP Manjit

5 years ago #4

#3
The courage aspect is interesting. Look at this account from a person who suffers from depression and how they account stoicism saved their life https://www.bebee.com/producer/@ian-weinberg/indulge-in-the-virtues-of-stoicism#c1 It is this facing up to reality which intrigues me because it does not rely on an antidote called hope. Stoicism is not us medicated ourselves but more importantly examining what is and understand the dividing line between seeing reason versus having faith in that which we do not actually control.

Cyndi wilkins

5 years ago #3

#1
#2 "Deal with the world as it is while pursuing self-improvement through wisdom, temperance, justice and courage." Could not have said that better myself;-)

Ian Weinberg

5 years ago #2

Thanks for sharing CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit and for the additional clip.

CityVP Manjit

5 years ago #1

An excellent buzz providing a much more personal and direct access to the value of stoicism in our own individual lives. In addition to compliment this buzz, the five minute account of stoicism in the following video link provides additional background to the virtue of stoic existence and much more importantly, why stoicism is relevant to our century and living a 21st Century life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9OCA6UFE-0

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