Philosophy Archives

Stoicism Exercises: Learn to Think Like a Stoic

What is the Stoic secret to staying calm and imperturbable in times of adversity? Can anybody cultivate the Stoic mindset? What are some Stoicism exercises you can practice? Stoicism is a philosophy of personal ethics which teaches the cultivation of self-discipline and mental toughness as a way of overcoming life’s challenges. The following Stoicism exercises will help you consider how you can bring to mind the teachings of Stoic philosophy. These exercises will help you consider your own life challenges through the lens of Stoicism philosophy.

Stoicism and Emotions: Are You Allowed to Feel?

What is Stoicism’s take on emotions? How would a true Stoic deal with an unhelpful emotion? In Stoicism, emotions aren’t something you are supposed to mute or suppress. The Stoic approach is to feel the emotions but to take a pragmatic approach to deal with them. When unhelpful emotions take over, feel them but don’t be swamped by them—control them. Keep reading to learn about Stoicism’s take on emotions.

The Key Principles of the Stoicism Philosophy

What are the key principles of Stoicism philosophy? How can adopting these principles help you become calmer, stronger, and more resilient in the face of adversity? The principles of Stoicism are underpinned by three disciplines: 1) perception, 2) action, and 3) will. With or without knowing it, most successful people have overcome their obstacles by adopting these principles. Keep reading to learn about the key principles of Stoicism.

Gary Klein: Premortem Plans for What Could Go Wrong

What is Gary Klein’s premortem planning technique? What was his inspiration in coming up with the premortem analysis? Gary Klein’s premortem analysis looks at what could go wrong in advance in order to prepare for or prevent problems. It’s catching on among startups and major companies, but it actually dates back to the Stoics, who called this process the “premeditation of evils.” Read about Gary Klein’s premortem technique.

The 7 Stoic Lessons That Are Still Relevant Today

Is stoicism relevant to modern life? What life lessons could you extract from Stoic philosophy? Stoicism is a timeless philosophy. The ancient Stoicism teachings contain some of the greatest wisdom in the history of the world, and the Stoic lessons are no less relevant today than they were at the dawn of the stoic school of thought. Here are seven Stoic lessons for modern living.

Japanese Wisdom: 3 Concepts on Living Well

Inspired by the Japanese way of life? What can Japanese wisdom teach you about living well? The Japanese way of life and philosophy offer a very different perspective from the West on living well. The Japanese wisdom is all about integrating ancient philosophies into daily life. Here are three concepts that will help you tap into the well of ancient Japanese wisdom.

Stoic Mindset: The Power of Dispassionate Perception

How do Stoics view the world? Can anyone cultivate the Stoic mindset? The key characteristic of the Stoic mindset is dispassionate perception—taking a rather neutral and detached view of life events. Seeing things in this way, as Stoics see them, doesn’t come naturally; it’s a skill you need to develop and hone. Here are some lessons to keep in mind if you want to cultivate the Stoic mindset.

Perspective: What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way

Who said “What stands in the way becomes the way”? Do you agree with the statement? Why or why not? What do you think it means? The quote “What stands in the way becomes the way” is attributed to Roman Emperor and a die-hard Stoic Marcus Aurelius. It might sound paradoxical when you first hear it, but as you think about it more and more, the meaning will unfold before you; and it’s quite profound. Here are the meaning and a little backstory of Marcus Aurelius’ timeless quote “What stands in the way becomes the way.”

What Does It Mean to Be a Stoic Person?

What does it mean to be a Stoic? What makes a Stoic different from an average person? Stoicism is an ancient Greek personal ethics philosophy that teaches the development of emotional self-control and mental toughness as a means of overcoming life’s trials and tribulations. But what does it mean to be a Stoic person? What personal qualities do Stoics embody? Keep reading for the answer to the question: what does it mean to be a Stoic.

Blindness in Literature Is Usually Symbolic

What does it mean when an author includes a blind character in literature? How do authors sometimes include metaphorical blindness? Blind characters are difficult to write because the author needs to describe how that character will navigate the world. So why write a blind character? Because both literal and metaphorical blindness are important symbols in literature. Keep reading to learn more about what blindness means in literature.