This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“As a result of the adaptation process, people find themselves on a satisfaction treadmill. They are unhappy when they detect an unfulfilled desire within them. They work hard to fulfill this desire, in the belief that on fulfilling it, they will gain satisfaction. The problem, though, is that once they fulfill a desire for something, they adapt to its presence in their life and as a result stop desiring it - or at any rate, don’t find it as desirable as they once did. They end up just as dissatisfied as they were before fulfilling the desire.” – William B. Irvine, Chapter Four: Negative Visualization, Page 75
“Stoics value their freedom, and they are therefore reluctant to do anything that will give others power over them. But if we seek social status, we give other people power over us: We have to do things calculated to make them admire us, and we have to refrain from doing things that will trigger their disfavor. Epictetus therefore advises us not to seek social status, since if we make it our goal to please others, we will no longer be free to please ourselves. We will, he says, have enslaved ourselves.” – William B. Irvine, Chapter, Page 174
“Stoicism, understood properly, is a cure for a
disease. The disease in question is the
anxiety, grief, fear, and various other negative emotions that plague humans
and prevent them from experiencing a joyful existence. By practicing Stoic techniques, we can cure
the disease and thereby gain tranquility.
What I am suggesting is that although the ancient Stoics found a “cure”
for negative emotions, they were mistaken about why the cure works.” – William
B. Irvine, Chapter Twenty-One: Stoicism Reconsidered, Page 244
Is This An Overview?
Having a philosophy of life can
prevent an individual from mis-living life.
To not waste the chance one has at living. By having a philosophy of life, an individual
can find effective strategies to attain life goals, and adjust behavior to
increase the likelihood of attaining the goals.
The goal of the Stoics was to live a virtuous life, a life of
tranquility. Tranquility found through a
lack of negative emotions. The Stoics
did not want to remove all emotions, just to limit the effect of negative
emotions. Stoics practiced preventing
and overcoming negative emotions, rather than repressing emotions. Stoicism is a cure for negative emotions that
prevent a joyful existence. Stoic
methods can help an individual handle social relations, insults, grief, anger,
fame, luxury, and various other aspects of life.
The Stoics use
various practices to find tranquility such as negative visualization. Thinking of a potential loss can create
behaviors to prevent the loss, and find appreciation of what the individual
has. Negative visualization overcomes
hedonic adaptation. Stoics practice
voluntary discomfort, voluntary self-denial of what they have or can have. Voluntary self-denial prepares the individual
for situations in which they are not voluntarily deprived, provides an appreciation
for the comforts they do have, and builds willpower that develops self-control to
enable freedom to choose one’s behavior.
Stoics create an appreciation of each day when reflecting on
mortality. But they do not worry about
what they cannot control, such as mortality, as that would be futile. Stoics focus on what they can control, such
as the state of mind. Finding
contentment by changing oneself.
How To Explain Stoic Philosophy?
A Stoic practice of negative visualization, thinking about a
potential loss, can change behavior to prevent the problem. If the problem was inevitable, then the
person can be emotionally prepared to handle the problem. People are insatiable, for when what is
wanted is obtained, the happiness derived is adapted to. Adapting to happiness reduces the effect of
happiness, causing the individual to want more.
Through negative visualization, people can think of losing what they do
have, which makes them understand the value of what they have.
Stoics reflect on mortality, the finite time they have
available, to bring about an appreciation of each day. To make the day fulfilling and productive,
rather than waste the time they have available to them. Reflecting on mortality changes the state of
mind when carrying out activities, to not take their experiences for
granted. Stoics think about what they
have control over, as that can lead to a change in a future situation. They avoid thinking about things they cannot
control, as that would be a waste of time.
Caveats?
The author uses and updates Stoic
claims, which are given a complex understanding. The Stoic claims can still be misunderstood,
and the application of some methods can harm rather than improve a
situation. The claims made provide a
foundation, but need to be adjusted and improved upon using local, tacit
experiences and cultural values.
Claims provided on the effect of Stoic values and why people
avoid Stoicism, have stereotypical reactions.
Stereotypical reactions based on age and other social features. Stereotypical reactions are popular in the
media, but are not representative of people’s diverse views.
The explanation for why a philosophy of life is needed, can be
effective, but makes life appear static.
As if a chosen goal, one chosen earlier, cannot change. That all of life needs to be about strategies
for accomplishing the goal.
