Suffering is inevitable, but our response to it isn’t. This is the core insight of Stoicism, an ancient school of philosophy whose teachings on happiness remain surprisingly relevant. In this course, philosopher and psychotherapist Wes Alwan introduces the core ideas of Stoicism and strategies for integrating them into a more full and happy life.
What You'll Learn
- How stoic philosophy remains surprisingly relevant
- What kind of suffering is avoidable
- Techniques for living happier, better lives
- Co-Host of The Partially Examined Life
Common-sense ways of thinking about happiness can keep us from ever achieving it.
Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle thought that living virtuously was enough to make us happy. But it doesn’t solve the problem of suffering.
Contrary to popular belief, stoicism isn’t about getting rid of our emotions, but rather cultivating the right emotions to things that happen.
So much of the suffering we experience in life is because our ego feels wounded. Stoicism shows how to let go of our narcissism and find more peace.
Modern psychotherapy is quite compatible with stoic ideas, especially in shifting how we think about control.
Adversity isn’t incompatible with happiness. In fact, it sometimes is the path to it.
Happiness isn’t an external destination to arrive at, it's an internal habit we can cultivate.
Implementing Stoic ideas can often be aided with the help of a trained psychotherapist.
Suffering is inevitable, but our response to it isn’t.
To delve deeper into the world of stoicism, be sure to check out the authors, books and conferences mentioned in this episode.