Today, when visiting a typical bookstore, you will find at least one self-help book on the bestseller shelf. Several years ago, there were two or three self-help books among the bestsellers, indicating their popularity among readers. Although the number of self-help books has somewhat decreased recently, their popularity remains strong. This is understandable because life’s hardships make having tools to guide us easier quite appealing. The more chaotic the world becomes, or the harder society is to adapt to, the more books offering new perspectives and attitudes, like self-help books, become a good choice.
Looking deeper into the self-help category, there are many approaches depending on which topics or methods authors choose to explain and expand upon, whether related to business, finance, relationships, or success. One particularly popular topic is Stoicism, a philosophy focusing on how to live happily in any circumstance. Most people understand Stoicism as teaching calmness and emotional detachment, which is why the adjective 'stoic' describes someone who endures without showing feelings.
As times change, the meaning of Stoicism has shifted continuously. Books on Stoicism have started to interpret its philosophy in more contemporary and easier-to-understand ways. Some include additional themes, such as Stoic approaches to business or how to be Stoic and wealthy. These topics don’t stray far from typical self-help books but use the Stoic gimmick to add depth, making Stoic books bestsellers.
However, self-help Stoic books presenting a one-sided perspective cause misunderstandings about true Stoic philosophy and often deviate significantly from its authentic ideas. While Stoics aim for everyone to live well, the crucial question remains: what does 'living well' truly mean?
First, we must understand that self-help Stoic books don’t inherently have content problems. Of course, books vary in approach and interpretation, and readers decide their value. These authors offer interesting life guidance based on Stoic ideas, fitting a fast-paced era and easy understanding. This accessibility can be a strength, helping younger generations or those without prior Stoic knowledge engage with the philosophy.
On the other hand, if we only know Stoicism superficially without grasping the full details, we may stray from the original goals the Stoics intended. As Massimo Pigliucci, a philosophy professor at City College of New York, said on Big Think, Stoicism fails when treated merely as self-help. He explained that today people don’t understand true Stoicism but rather something called Broicism or Pop Stoicism.
What is Broicism?
Broicism is a narrow, oversimplified definition of Stoic philosophy, seeing it as suppressing and enduring emotions, especially when facing challenges. Showing worry or fear is viewed as weakness. Broicism aligns with popular internet ideas like the Lone-wolf or Alpha-male archetype—depicting an ultimate man as a solitary wolf surviving alone with physical and mental strength.
Broicism supports capitalist ideals and leads to approaches like how to succeed at work, become wealthy, or achieve relationship goals. It has evolved into Pop Stoicism, spreading widely on YouTube, websites, and various self-help books. All these stray from Stoicism’s core, which not only explores self-awareness but also considers the community’s well-being for peaceful coexistence.
If Stoicism isn’t like that, then what exactly is it?
Stoic philosophy developed over periods in ancient times, originating in ancient Greece with Zeno of Citium. The name 'Stoic' comes from the painted porch (stoa poikilê) in the central Athens marketplace where philosophers gathered to teach and debate. Stoicism evolved from Greek to Roman eras, with key philosophers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, each writing their own works on Stoicism. Despite diversity, Stoicism’s basic ideas stem from Zeno’s foundation: first, Physics—the understanding of the world we live in (not physics as we know it today); second, Logic—the use of reasoning to judge; and third, Ethics—the study of living well. These relate to three rules from Epictetus: Desire, Action, and Assent.
Discipline of Desire
This rule of desire doesn’t mean craving or passion as understood today but refers to recognizing what we truly want and what we do not, based on reality rather than forcing outcomes we hope for, since the world doesn’t revolve around us. For example, wanting others to like us cannot be forced; we must accept the reality of the world (Physics). Understanding this prevents negative feelings because we accept reality from the start.
Discipline of Action
Stoics firmly believe humans are social animals, so we must interact and treat each other properly. Beyond accepting reality, we must 'participate' through our actions. We should question our social roles (Ethics) and what appropriate actions those roles entail. These roles could be as a parent, spouse, or employee. Since we play many roles, we must always consider what proper conduct means in each.
Discipline of Assent
The discipline of assent involves using reason (Logic) to control and judge whether our feelings about something are true or not. For example, if someone insults us, we might feel angry and believe we’re being verbally attacked. But this rule asks us to question whether we’re truly harmed or if it’s just our ego reacting. It’s about applying logic and reason to assess everything around us. What appears may not be the truth; our feelings might mean nothing.
These three simple rules summarize Stoic principles centered on seeing the world as it truly is (though translations may differ slightly from ancient Greek). Broicism lacks this realistic worldview. For the first rule, Broicism expects everything to go as it desires. For the second, it focuses only on the self, ignoring community or coexistence. For the third, it accepts all feelings at face value without questioning. These distortions fit the modern world’s struggles and competition, where money and success dominate. In contrast, Stoics aim for eudaimonia—the good life as rational human beings.
This might seem like a no-win dilemma. Stoicism is profound, but not everyone needs to study it deeply (it’s much more detailed than presented here). So it’s understandable that books simplifying it attract many readers. Reading ancient texts also raises doubts about their relevance today. Different books target different readers with varying needs. However, it’s better to understand all aspects thoroughly and then reflect on which ideas truly suit our lives.
For those wanting to read authentic Stoic texts with no unrelated content and straightforward understanding, recommended works include 'Meditations' by Emperor Marcus Aurelius, 'Discourses of Epictetus' recorded by his student, and 'Letters from a Stoic' by Seneca, covering friendship, death, and managing emotions. After reading, reflect on what Stoicism really is and whether it truly offers a better life perspective. Doubt and questioning are fundamental to being human.
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