Keep Calm, Go Stoic
Why Stoicism Still Works in the Age of Doomscrolling
Stoicism, that old-school Greek and Roman brainchild of Zeno, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, is like a philosophical toolbox for surviving life’s midlife chaos. These ancient blokes discovered that happiness isn’t about a flashy car or a full head of hair, but living with virtue—think wisdom, courage, and not losing your cool when the Wi-Fi fails because your kids are overloading it with Minecraft.
Control, Chaos, and the Stoic Secret to Sanity
Their writings? These are like a mate’s advice at the pub, only more profound, and they’re weirdly spot-on for someone navigating today’s madness.
Picture this: your kids treat you like an Uber driver, and your knees creak louder than the office chair. Stoicism says, “Mate, focus on what you can control.” Epictetus would nod at your bald spot and say, “Can’t fix that, but you can fix your attitude.” His tip to ignore what’s out of reach—like the weather or petrol prices—feels like a lifeline when life throws out the craziness.
Marcus Aurelius, scribbling Meditations while dodging plagues and barbarians, is your man when the news makes you want to hide under the duvet. He’d say, “Chin up, don’t let the world’s nonsense steal your calm.” Seneca, meanwhile, is like that friend who reminds you to stop doomscrolling and savour the Sunday roast—time’s short, so don’t waste it on Karen’s Facebook rants.
Stoicism’s a gentle nudge to keep your cool, ditch the midlife crisis motorbike, and find purpose without chasing likes or a six-pack. It’s practical, no-nonsense wisdom that says you’re enough—just don’t tell the lads at football you’re “cultivating virtue.” Just keep it inside and use it when needed.
The Ultimate 5-A-Side Team
Zeno of Citium (c. 334–262 BCE)
Why significant: Founder of Stoicism, Zeno established the school around 300 BCE in Athens at the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch). He developed the core principles of living by nature, virtue as the highest good, and emotional resilience through reason.
Key contributions: Laid the groundwork for Stoic ethics, physics, and logic. Though none of his writings survive, his ideas were preserved by students like Cleanthes and later philosophers.
Impact: His teachings attracted a diverse following, shaping Stoicism as a major Hellenistic philosophy.
Chrysippus (c. 279–206 BCE)
Why significant: The third head of the Stoic school, Chrysippus, is often called the "second founder" of Stoicism for systematising and expanding Zeno’s ideas. He reportedly wrote over 700 works, though only fragments remain.
Key contributions: Developed Stoic logic, refined the concept of fate and free will, and emphasised the unity of virtues. His work made Stoicism philosophically rigorous and defensible against rival schools like the Epicureans.
Impact: Credited with ensuring Stoicism’s dominance in Hellenistic philosophy; later Stoics like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius built on his framework.
Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BCE–65 CE)
Why significant: A Roman philosopher, statesman, and playwright, Seneca brought Stoicism to the Roman elite as an advisor to Emperor Nero. His accessible writings popularised Stoic ideas.
Key contributions: Authored Letters to Lucilius, On the Shortness of Life, and other essays emphasising practical ethics, self-control, and coping with adversity. His works blend Stoicism with personal advice, making it relatable.
Impact: His surviving texts are among the most widely read Stoic works today, influencing both ancient and modern audiences.
Epictetus (c. 55–135 CE)
Why significant: A former slave turned philosopher, Epictetus, focused on practical Stoicism for everyday life. His teachings, recorded by his student Arrian, emphasise personal freedom through self-discipline.
Key contributions: Discourses and Enchiridion stress focusing on what’s in our control, accepting fate, and cultivating inner tranquillity. His conversational style made Stoicism accessible to all social classes.
Impact: Influenced Marcus Aurelius and modern Stoicism; his emphasis on resilience resonates widely today.
Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE)
Why significant: Roman Emperor and philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, applied Stoicism while ruling during wars and plagues. His private journal, Meditations, is a cornerstone of Stoic literature.
Key contributions: Meditations offers introspective reflections on virtue, mortality, and staying calm amid chaos. It emphasises personal ethics and universal reason (logos).
Impact: As a ruler living by Stoic principles, he showed their practical value. His work remains a timeless guide for self-improvement.