Philosophy as a way of life

We must first establish a truth that applies to all practicing philosophers: there is an inherent gap between how we believe we should live and how we are living. The reason is that all human beings inherently fail. We are always chasing the person whom we could become (except for the Sage).

This is an important point because we cannot simply deem someone a non-Stoic based on their current character. Character is something that is developed over time, and most (if not all) of us never reach Sage status.

Living according to Nature

The abstracted phrase “live according to Nature” is based on the presupposition that human nature is inherently good. What Stoics mean by this is that the only way for us to achieve Eudaimonia is by being Good (i.e., a person of virtue).

However, even that is still too abstract. What does it mean to be Good? In simple terms, being Good means acting in such a way that allows everyone in the Stoic circles of concern to collectively flourish. This is what Marcus Aurelius means when he implores us to “work for the common good”.

However, again, we run into the issue of abstraction since what allows us individually to flourish is highly individualized. For example, the podcaster Joe Rogan credits his intense workouts with making him a kinder person. Mike Tyson, on the other hand, has said that it brings out his worst side.

In sum, what it means to be Good is abstractly the same for everyone, but incredibly individualized in practice.

Intentions in Stoicism

We’ve concluded that no person is a Sage and that none of us live up to our philosophy in practice. We’ve also concluded that virtue, though defined in Stoicism, is highly individualized. What becomes clear is that it is our intentions that define who we are.

An intention is a commitment to a particular course of action. In Stoicism, this is what we have defined earlier: to act in such a way that allows everyone in the Stoic circles of concern to collectively flourish. Hence, a Stoic is one with the above intention.

The interesting thing about intentions is that only the intender can truly verify the purity of one’s intentions. Put another way, regardless of someone else’s actions, we simply cannot conclude their intentions.

We can make assumptions based on their claims of their intentions. We could even suspect over an expanse of time observing their actions what their intentions are. But we can never truly know.

The divine spark

One truly beautiful idea in Stoicism is that of the “divine spark”. This is what the Stoics call the Rational Mind. The Rational Mind is what separates us from other animals, but it’s also what connects all of us human beings. This idea has positive implications in the world if adopted.

There is an encouraging aspect of that idea. It means that we are all connected through Reason. However, it is also humbling, since it means that we are all also unable to fully grasp the complete, divine plan. This is why the Stoics urge us not to get too worked up over a particular event; it could, in fact, be what needs to happen for the greater good. 

We simply never really know.

We never know what the bigger picture truly is, and we never know which part of that picture our fellow brothers and sisters are holding. Hence, we would be best to hold off judgment of others.

Defining a Stoic

How do we define a Stoic? Such a question is not simply answered, however, what I can conclude is that it is near impossible, if not entirely so, for us to define others as Stoic or non-Stoic. The only thing we can truly discern (and even that discernment is not simple) is what our own intentions truly are, and if they align with those of Stoicism: to create a flourishing world.

What are your intentions?

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