What do the Stoics say about relationships?

Focus on what is under your control, the Stoic would say, even in love. Accept the human condition and the bounds set for you by nature. Understand that you cannot possess what you love. We have our loved ones on loans and should rejoice in them as long as they are present.

Do Stoics believe in pleasure?

The role that pleasure plays in life according to the Stoic conception is that it must follow virtue. Without virtue, life’s pleasures are hollow traps. They can enslave you and make you dependent on their constant presence. Without these pleasures, life becomes unbearable, leaving you weak and despondent.

How can Stoicism help me?

Stoicism gives a stop-gap, a barrier, a first line of defence against what is most of the time, irrational emotions. It teaches us to take a second or a short pause to look at the emotions rationally and to use reason, virtuous thinking and right action to keep the emotions in check.

Was Marcus Aurelius really a stoic?

Stoicism. According to tradition, Marcus was a Stoic. His ancient biographer, Julius Capitolinus, describes him as such. Marcus also makes reference to a number of Stoics by whom he was taught and, in particular, mentions Rusticus from whom he borrowed a copy of the works of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (Med.

Do Stoics believe in marriage?

Stoics believed in being productive over being comfortable. How does this apply to marriage? You won’t always feel like doing the things that need to be done. Marriage requires sacrifice.

Is stoicism like Buddhism?

Similar to Buddhism, Stoicism advises against being ruled and enslaved by desire. This is similar to Buddhism, where desire is what causes suffering, however for the Buddhist it is the renunciation of desire rather than reason which is the key to enlightenment.

Is stoicism good for mental health?

In a new study by researchers at the Affective and Cognitive Neuroscience lab at Birkbeck, cognitive trainings based on the principles of Stoic philosophy reduced emotional vulnerability in those at risk of anxiety and depression.

What did the Stoics say about depression?

Depression is a very difficult “external” to deal with since it is in fact inside our heads. But if we accept the Stoic belief that the core part of our identities is our reason, then we do not need to feel that depression is really a part of who we are — it is simply a part of the bodies that we inhabit.