The concept of a "Stoic sage" in an intriguing one. According to Stoicism, only a Stoic sage is virtuous and happy. Yet none of us is a sage. Not just that, no one can ever be a sage. Since one is either virtuous or vicious, happy or unhappy, we are all vicious and unhappy. (There is no intermediate state between happiness and unhappiness, virtue and vice in Stoicism.)

This is a harsh pronouncement which makes one wonder what could be the purpose of a philosophy of eudemonia if the same philosophy declares that eudemonia is unattainable?

I am sure there is some sophisticated explanation of this paradox that can be easily understood by Stoic scholars. But how do the rest of us, who are not Stoic scholars, understand this?

Sage is the unattainable model of excellence, an idealized human being. By definition, what is idealized is based on an idea. All we can do is to get closer and closer to the ideal sage without our ever becoming one ourselves. We may not be "happy" according to the Stoic definition but we can have more equanimity as we become less swayed by negative emotions. We may never be virtuous but we can continue to decrease our vicious actions.

All we can do is to move toward the Stoic ideal—the sage. If we accept this view, then our Stoic practice becomes one of endless learning and practice. Since we can never become a sage, there could possibly be no end to our learning and practice.

To start off this issue, we review John Sellars' book in which he explores some fundamental Stoic lessons.
Then some modern Stoics explore more Stoic learnings:

Meredith Kunz relates Stoic habits to the discipline of ascent and shows how learning the right habits could help our Stoic practice.

Jonas Salzgeber discusses how using the reserve clause can increase our equanimity and tranquility.

Kai Whiting shares his ideas on how and when to argue in social media.

Sharon Lebell shares a method she uses everyday to show her gratitude to those she is grateful to and ends up with "365 vibrant vectors" each year.

Donald Robertson teaches us what to eat and how to eat it.

Flora Bernard explores what it means to use our time well.

One of our readers, Horus Hardtke, sent us a Stoic poem "The Musoleum," he wrote for himself. He is generous enough to share it with all of us.

Of course, we have all other usual features: book extracts, Stoic directory, Everyday Stoic etc. Please let us know what you think.

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Dr. Chuck Chakrapani Editor-in-Chief

 

 

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