Stoicism and Its relevance in the Modern World

You might have heard the saying “Modern problems require modern solutions”. But where do these “modern” problems stem from and how much control do we really have over them are questions worth considering. The duality of today’s times is that technological progress has made our daily living tremendously convenient and yet at the same time, we are more insecure than ever. We appear to be collectively swept up in a tide of constant information and confusion, stemming from the unpredictable conditions we live in. On top of this, our emotions run out of control amidst a hectic culture that has mechanised us in many ways. It is of no wonder that we often find ourselves feeling so powerless and unsettled in this chaos. 

Political events, market fluctuations, natural disasters and even something as minor as what people think of us are out of our direct control. However, the only thing we have power over is ourselves. The tradition of Stoicism is centred around this very idea. Marcus Aurelius, one of the great Stoic philosophers, precisely articulated the dichotomy of control- “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength” (Augustine, 2018). This school of thought dating back to ancient Greece gives us practicable tools to help deal with the challenges of the modern world. Practising self-control, building resilience, and maintaining a rational outlook on life enable us to navigate the world skilfully.  So, as it turns out, modern problems can sometimes be resolved with age-old but timeless practices. Let’s explore a few stoic ideas and consider how we may apply them in the course of our daily lives. 

Combating Anxiety, the Stoic Way

Of the many psychological issues we face today, anxiety is a common one. By definition, it is a feeling of apprehension and dread that stems from when we expect an undesirable event to happen in the future. As humans, we naturally feel uneasy when we are unable to control the factors involved since we typically want things to go our way. However, what we often fail to consider is that things can very likely go wrong or, at least, not as we expected. This reality is so obvious, yet we feel the unrelenting desire to be in charge of every situation at all times. To overcome this fallacy, it is beneficial to practise what the stoics called “premeditatio malorum” which translates to negative visualisation (Holiday, 2019). 

Our optimism bias makes us overlook the inevitability of negative events (MSEd, 2023). Not to mention, we are often told to imagine the best-case scenario because it boosts our confidence and makes us feel invincible. But when things don’t work in our favour, most of the disappointment is caused by the unexpectedness of it all. It is very likely that we won’t land the job we apply for or hit all the milestones we set out to achieve. Thus it is logical to be mentally prepared for even the undesirable outcomes by visualising it happening beforehand. As they say, “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst”. As you incorporate negative visualisation before you take on any project you will feel more secure not because you know for sure things will go well but because you know you will be able to manage even if they don’t. Such self-confidence is rooted in rationality, a stoic value absolutely needed nowadays.

Overcoming Obstacles and Ourselves

Life, at times, can get very tumultuous because things happen so suddenly and unexpectedly that they catch us off guard. This could be losing your job, getting into an accident or even the less dramatic ones like catching a fever. We often view these as setbacks and hindrances that deter us from achieving things. Usually, our common response to such events is to feel dejected and give up pursuing the goal because, in the back of our minds, we expect to progress in a straightforward, linear way. Such a mindset itself is the real obstacle because by quitting prematurely we stop ourselves from growing as individuals. Thus facing challenges head-on means allowing them to propel us forward instead of impeding our growth (Holiday, 2017). Cultivating such a mindset spurs us into action and teaches resilience because ultimately, our character is determined by how we react to events rather than by what happens to us.

Life challenges apart, perhaps the biggest battle we fight is within our own minds. As long as we give away our power to things outside of us, we are not liberated. As Epictetus puts it “No man is free who is not master of himself”, suggesting that freedom comes from within (Epictetus Quotes  (Author of the Art of Living), n.d.). Self-mastery as per stoicism means to control one’s emotions so as to harness their power and use it productively.

Stoicism upholds that desires are potential sources of disappointment and for this reason, it advocates for moderation. In this era of binging and hoarding, indulging in excesses has become all too common. Whether it is shopping for things we don’t need, doom scrolling our brains out or pleasing our taste buds at the cost of our health. Similarly, too much discipline, empathy and ambition can also burn us out. Thus maintaining equilibrium by striking a balance between pleasure and virtue is the key to stability.

Dealing With People 

One of the factors that determines the quality of our lives to a huge extent is the kind of connections we build with other people. Today, we have allowed our differences to create divisions among our own species. Tolerance is a lost art in a world where we stubbornly cling to our ideals and expect others to follow suit. Think of the last time you were so easily annoyed by someone’s behaviour that you let it dominate your thinking. Such instances show a lack of not just empathy but also restraint.

On this matter, Marcus Aurelius comments, “Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself” (Ragland, 2022). This again is rooted in the dichotomy of control. Tolerance is letting people act as they intend while simultaneously being mindful of how we respond to it. It is a way of respecting ourselves and showing compassion that we owe others. By developing such an attitude, we challenge ourselves to remain composed while giving other people grace. 

Talking about composure, we often lose our cool and lash out at those we care about. Such overt expressions of rage are bound to create conflicts in relationships. The general route prescribed for anger management is to vent out frustration in healthy ways but stoicism takes a slightly different approach. It maintains that feeling antagonised itself is a mistaken attitude, and we can reject it by simply being unconsenting to it affecting us (Philosophy Now, n.d.). Part of nipping anger in the bud is to remind ourselves that feelings are transient and by doing so shorten the period we will have to deal with it. For, as long as we dwell on a feeling and let it fester, the more power it has over us. So the next time you catch yourself feeling like exploding remember that when you engage in anger, you are choosing to let it consume you.

Looking at the Bigger Picture from a Stoic Lens

We’ve all, at some point pondered over the big questions of life such as those of our existence and purpose in this world. The idea that a good life is marked by extraordinary success and fame is sold to us and this contributes to much of our disappointment because we constantly feel like we are just not “there” yet. But according to stoicism, a virtuous life is a life well led. It is about living fully rather than lavishly. The stoic practice of “memento mori” which translates to “remember you must die”, encapsulates the finitude of life, reminding us that we are but blips in the universe (Holiday, 2017b). This zoomed-out cosmic perspective and the reality of death does not imply that we are insignificant, rather it wakes us up to the importance of life. Practically speaking, when we remember that we have limited time on this planet, we prioritise things that hold meaning to us and avert the risk of living in vain. 

As we understand from these perspectives, Stoicism offers lessons that are implementable in our daily lives. But it is not limited to self-growth alone. Stoicism also values living in accordance with nature and respecting the natural order. What this means is to realise that humans are a part of the ecosystem and not separate from it. This ecocentric approach is crucial to being mindful of the effects of human activities on the environment and understanding the interconnectedness of all beings (Stoicism, 2024). Thus, living by this ancient wisdom has great potential to enhance not just our lives but also the world around us.  In a society that is constantly evolving, the four cardinal principles of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice remain ever-relevant. As you navigate the waves of life guided by virtue, you may find that many of your common complaints gradually fade, replaced by a sense of clarity and resilience.

FAQs

1. What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy teaching self-control, resilience, and rational thinking, helping us handle modern challenges and emotions.

2. How does Stoicism help with anxiety?
It suggests visualizing worst-case scenarios (premeditatio malorum) to prepare for setbacks, reducing anxiety and building confidence.

3. How does Stoicism view obstacles?
Obstacles are opportunities for growth. Stoicism teaches resilience by focusing on our reactions, not the events themselves.

4. What does Stoicism say about dealing with people?
Be tolerant of others and control your reactions. Respond with empathy and composure to build better relationships.

5. What is “memento mori”?
Memento mori means “Remember you must die.” It reminds us to focus on what truly matters and live purposefully.