Why is this series being written?

The concept of "stoicism" or "being stoic" is expressed here frequently. One will see the philosophy in any male space - the value of the concept is clear at its face. However, I perceive with increasing frequency a three-foot deep version of a tool that is as deep as the universe. I am writing the series to properly educate TRP on Stoicism and demonstrate its immense value by translating esoteric concepts into applicable knowledge.

This series will teach from The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus1 (free pdf link to entire text). Antoninus (you may be used to calling him Marcus Aurelius) wrote as a diary one of the definitive masterpieces of philosophy on the subject.

The book itself is not long - 160 pages or so of actual content. I recommend reading it all, though I know you're not on reddit to join a book club, you are here for condensed, useful knowledge. Let's begin.

The Format

We'll conduct lessons in three parts:

  • The Concept, as expressed by Antoninus
  • A walk-through of the Concept, to ensure understanding
  • Application - how the Concept can apply to your daily life as a modern man

Some lessons will begin with a quote, others with an idea. Each will be unique, but all will be a means to practice and understand Stoic philosophy. This first lesson must be longer and contain more historical context. This is necessary to form the foundation from which I will write individual lessons, and will weed out those with short attention spans.

Who was Antoninus, and what are the core tenets of Stoic philosophy?

History

BRIEFLY: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, or "Antoninus", was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 161 to 180. He was famous for his just temperament, "Alone of the emperors," wrote the historian Herodian, "he gave proof of his learning not by mere words or knowledge of philosophical doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate way of life."2 His writings were originally titled "To Myself", "Meditations" was assigned later.

Core Tenets

Stoicism has been bastardized into the rejection or ignorance of emotion. That is not Stoicism. Stoics sought to transform the world and all corporeal elements through practice and use of reason. The goal of the philosophy is to be free of passion (note the Greek "passion" represented things like lust, intemperance, anger, and other undesirables states of being) through an ultimate tranquility; this tranquility is achievable only by choice, and only through reason. Stoicism was always meant to be a practical philosophy, to be applied rather than debated.

Your understanding and application of these lessons can free you from attachment to the past, and anger directed at others. To be Stoic is to be free.

Antoninus's philosophy rests on 3 essential tenets:

  1. The Three Forms of all men (Body/Flesh, Animal Spirit, Governing Spirit)
  2. Universality & Interconnectedness of all things "natural"
  3. Unwavering attention to the present, and understanding of control

Understanding Each Tenet

The Three Forms

The body, the * animal soul, the intellectual. To the body belong the senses: to the animal soul, the appetites and passions: to the intellectual, the maxims of life. To have sensible impressions exciting imaginations, is common to us with the cattle. To be moved, like puppets, by appetites and passions, is common to us with the wild beasts, with the most effeminate wretches.... (p. 46)

The flesh is simply our corporeal body. The bag of meat.

The animal soul contains instinct, emotions, and desires. The need to have sex, the desire to eat, the feeling of anger, all animal in nature to the Stoics. Important to understand is animal cannot be rejected or eliminated, but is to be governed. The animal spirit is common among idiots and philosopher kings. Interesting to note is that to be consumed by the animal spirit is "effeminate" to Antoninus.

The third part is that which governs. Think thus: you are now old; suffer not that noble part to be enslaved, or moved about by unsociable passions, without its own approbation. Repine no more at what now befalls you according to fate, nor dread what may befall you hereafter. (p. 34)

The divinity of human existence is this governor. It is directed by the concert of the three, meaning the governor alone cannot "act", but instead guides. It is a man's choice to do what he will with the governor, though that spirit can be the answer to all things if one will listen to it.

Universality, Nature

Remember these things always: what the nature of the universe is: what thine own nature: and how related to the universe: What sort of part thou art, and of what sort of whole: and that no man can hinder thee to act and speak what is agreeable to that whole, of which thou art a part. (p. 35)

The actions of a man must flow to become a society, so the man must endeavor to be good and just so the society may be the same. Each person is a manifestation of the great and universal whole, the the flow from one to the other is natural. Life flows to death, and back again.

To be a Stoic is to understand that which is "natural" cannot be evil; death and the animal side of human nature are part of life. Why be upset with them?

He must be a child, who dreads what is natural.

The Present, Control

No man at death parts with, or, is deprived of, what is either past or future. For how can one take from a man what he hath not? (p. 37) Remember also that each man lives only the present moment: The rest of time is either spent and gone, or is quite unknown. (p. 44)

A Stoic cares only for what he can control, and whether or not he controls things that are present matters. A Stoic uses his reason to take control of the present and direct his life according to what is "natural", or the way the universe works. This is the Red Pill connection to Stoicism.

"Thanks for all the philosophy. Now please given me some FUCKING APPLICATION"

I know my audience, you are now craving something TRP, something real to apply. Let's recap what you have learned:

  • Your reason will lead you to success, but you must choose to listen to it
  • Do not be angry or upset with natural law(s); only a child would feel that way
  • Care about what you can control in the present, be merely aware of those things outside your control

The First Lesson

Nothing can befall any man, which he is not capable by nature to bear. The like events have befallen others; and they, either through ignorance that the event hath happened, or through ostentation of magnanimity, stand firm and unhurt by them. Strange! then, that ignorance or ostentation should have more power than wisdom! The things themselves cannot in the least touch the soul; nor have any access to it; nor can they turn or move it. The soul alone can turn or move itself; and such judgments or opinions, as she condescends to entertain, such she will make all occurrences become to her self. (p. 65-66)3

Your worst memory, your deepest affliction, and your most personal failure were assigned to you, like a school worksheet. You were designed by the universe to be a man; the universe would not have these events happen to a man incapable of withstanding them. Take pride that you were chosen for whatever misfortune has brought you here. Better yet, know that many others have been through the same, and others overcame it through inferior means than you will, should you accept Stoicism. Some superior others have shared their lessons here with you. Read them and take them in.

Your despair will be brief if you learn from Antoninus that you choose to despair. Your rational soul chose to be negative, to be hurt.

Take away opinion, and you have removed the complaint, “I am hurt.” Remove “I am hurt,” and you remove the harm. (p. 49)

Betrayals, breakups, rejections, and career shortcomings are all ephemeral4. The river of time will sweep them all away. Likewise success, fame, and approbation of crowds are equally fleeting. To be absorbed in your failures or successes would be equally effeminate and harmful to you.

Think of him who forgot whither the road led him: And that men are frequently at variance with that reason or intelligence, with which they have always to do, and which governs the universe: and are surprised at those things as strange, which they meet with every day. That we ought not to speak or act like men asleep; (for even in sleep we seem to speak and act); nor like children; merely because we have been so instructed by our parents. (p. 56)

This community can teach you to be awake. Forget the instructions of your parents, your unenlightened friends, and absolutely forget the popular opinion. Be the philosopher. Be in control. Own your tragedies and your successes. Take the pill and become a man with us.

AFTERWORD

Thank you for reading. The next lessons will be shorter and punchier, but all require this as 101 reading to understand the background. I'll link back to each post as they are made. May we all enjoy the writing of this great philosopher, and look forward to writing to you again.

ENDNOTES

  1. This translation of the original was penned by Francis Hutcheson & Thomas Drennan c. 1784. This is one of the most "plain English" translations of the work, which is why I chose it. See introduction if you care to learn the context - punchline is that these are two Christian scholars, and their footnotes will be heavily biased towards their faith. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, it's just a thing. Many of their insights are valuable, but their aim is always to guide the "heathen wisdom" toward monotheistic truth. Be aware.
  2. Wikipedia

  3. The use of the feminine gender here is a translation quirk used to distinguish from the physical person. The soul or inner self is the irrational/animal part of a person is "anima" as contrasted with the rational "animus" or governor. Since both the man and the soul collide in the sentence, it was common among classical languages to bifurcate the genders.

  4. Definition

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