Are Stoicism Influencers Scamming You?
When ancient wisdom becomes a modern trend
Majoring in philosophy has never been seen as a savvy move that would advance you into any lucrative careers.
Recently, however, it has become all the rage to flaunt one’s expertise in the philosophy of Stoicism. The Internet is absolutely awash in articles and e-books promising readers that adopting a more stoic mindset or lifestyle could be the key to success and riches.
But what is Stoicism really? And how did it become such a go-to for anyone seeking to sell any particular lifestyle or self-help product?
Stoicism, defined
According to Bryan Magee’s book The Story of Philosophy, the core of Stoic philosophy is that “there can be no authority higher than reason.” Although his name is not often heard today, the founder of Stoicism is considered to be Zeno of Citium, a philosopher who lived from 335 to 263 BCE, lectured in Athens, and argued “for the rule of law and the universal validity of political institutions.”
Many basic tenets are associated with the Stoic school of philosophy, which “flourished in Greek and Roman history.” Such principles include the beliefs that “nature is rational,” “a life lived according to rational nature is virtuous,” “virtue should be…
