ABSTRACT
Stoicism has the reputation of being the philosophy for those who wish to suppress their emotions and go through life with a stiff upper lip. But, in fact, it is nothing of the kind, as Stoics seek to shift their emotional spectrum away from destructive “passions” (like anger and fear) and toward constructive ones (like love and joy). In this chapter we explore the basics of Stoic practical philosophy, both as originally proposed by Zeno, Seneca, and Epictetus, and nowadays, as a result of scientific advancements in cognitive behavioral therapy and related approaches. We will also tackle three sample practical exercises to get a sense of how one goes about living like a Stoic.
