The ancient philosophy of Stoicism is enjoying a resurgence of interest today. But there are good reasons to steer clear of Stoicism as a guide to life and to seek a better philosophy.
Stoicism has long been the favorite philosophy of our intelligence community, if not the State department and much of the federal government (this coming from a mix of first / secondhand evidence and speculation). Determinism is one of its critical flaws, indeed.
I was just reading Romans 8 before I read this article. What a difference! Thank you for your article. Stoicism has always left me flat and you share why very clearly.
First let me just state for the record that I love the writings of Ayn Rand. I have read everything she published as well as other writings released after her death like the collection of her letters that have become available for purchase. I have also read pretty much all the written works by Objectivists from Rand’s inner circle and even her excommunicated members like the great George Walsh, and many others who find themselves, if not explicitly excommunicated, on the outside of the ARI organization.
Now I’m not sure why you thought it necessary to attack Stoicism—your points about determinism ring hollow. I have never read anything by anyone that either explicitly or implicitly advanced a deterministic view that could threaten the spiritual (non-God sense of the word) or physical wellbeing of individuals who find value in the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus.
This is another bad look for the ARI and Objectivism. While I dearly love Ayn Rand’s writings (and Dr. Peikoff’s as well), neither Rand nor Peikoff were great ambassadors for Objectivism. (As an aside I think it was a mistake for Rand to break with Murray Rothbard and the libertarians—“Pride cometh before the fall”.)
I work with many young people who are attracted to Stoicism and it fortifies them as they pursue their life goals despite all the obstacles that they do not control. But what they do control are their minds and their actions.
I have never met any Stoic who is a fatalistic person who believes that life is something that happens to them rather than something they make happen.
Please reconsider attacking “bad ideas” and instead tell people what is best about Ayn Rand’s philosophy because it is truly a practical philosophy for not only living a good life but for flourishing as you live it.
Stoicism has long been the favorite philosophy of our intelligence community, if not the State department and much of the federal government (this coming from a mix of first / secondhand evidence and speculation). Determinism is one of its critical flaws, indeed.
I was just reading Romans 8 before I read this article. What a difference! Thank you for your article. Stoicism has always left me flat and you share why very clearly.
Aaron,
First let me just state for the record that I love the writings of Ayn Rand. I have read everything she published as well as other writings released after her death like the collection of her letters that have become available for purchase. I have also read pretty much all the written works by Objectivists from Rand’s inner circle and even her excommunicated members like the great George Walsh, and many others who find themselves, if not explicitly excommunicated, on the outside of the ARI organization.
Now I’m not sure why you thought it necessary to attack Stoicism—your points about determinism ring hollow. I have never read anything by anyone that either explicitly or implicitly advanced a deterministic view that could threaten the spiritual (non-God sense of the word) or physical wellbeing of individuals who find value in the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus.
This is another bad look for the ARI and Objectivism. While I dearly love Ayn Rand’s writings (and Dr. Peikoff’s as well), neither Rand nor Peikoff were great ambassadors for Objectivism. (As an aside I think it was a mistake for Rand to break with Murray Rothbard and the libertarians—“Pride cometh before the fall”.)
I work with many young people who are attracted to Stoicism and it fortifies them as they pursue their life goals despite all the obstacles that they do not control. But what they do control are their minds and their actions.
I have never met any Stoic who is a fatalistic person who believes that life is something that happens to them rather than something they make happen.
Please reconsider attacking “bad ideas” and instead tell people what is best about Ayn Rand’s philosophy because it is truly a practical philosophy for not only living a good life but for flourishing as you live it.