On The Rise Of Stoicism
There has been a surge in popularity around Stoicism. I’ve seen plenty of people, including influencers, preaching Stoic values, and countless bots or pseudo-Stoic accounts on social media posting quotes as a way of life. Most of them feature Marcus Aurelius’s portrait, one of the most recognizable faces associated with Stoicism.
The Stoic School
For those familiar with the word but not the philosophy, Stoicism is a Hellenistic school founded by Zeno of Citium in the 3rd century BCE. It became highly influential in Greece and later in Rome. In short, Stoicism placed reason and virtue above all else, as well as harmony with the universe.
Intellect, the ability to live through reason rather than being ruled by destructive emotions, and the four cardinal virtues of fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence defined a well-lived life. This does not mean Stoics were emotionless or expected to suppress feelings, but rather that emotions should not govern thoughts and behavior, especially destructive ones.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Alongside reason came acceptance of the universe and external events. The Stoics taught that while we cannot control fortune, disease, or death, we can control our judgments, our choices, and how we respond to adversity. This distinction between what is within our power and what is not lies at the very heart of Stoic philosophy.
“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Stoicism is frugal in the sense that material possessions do not define virtue, but it is not opposed to possessions themselves. Marcus Aurelius was vastly wealthy, as were other famous Stoics like Seneca. In fact, Stoicism first gained traction among the educated elite, who had greater access to formal learning.
Wealth and material goods, however, are not enough to make someone virtuous. They are what the Stoics called indifferents, neither good nor bad in themselves, but capable of being used in service of virtue. This does not imply living in harsh austerity, but rather applying resources toward becoming a better person, whether through education, self improvement, or supporting others and society.
Stoicism is not a philosophy of pleasure. Unlike the Epicureans, who sought tranquility through simple pleasures and the avoidance of pain, the Stoics pursued it through virtue, reason, and acceptance. Both schools aimed for freedom from fear, but they held very different views on what constituted a good life.
Stoicism also had a lasting influence on philosophy and religion. Building on Platonic and Aristotelian traditions, Stoics reframed virtue into a more universal and rational system. Later, Stoic moral ideas shaped Roman law, early Christian ethics, and even Renaissance humanism. It remains deeply humanitarian and humbling, placing reason at the center of human life while acknowledging how powerless we often are before the vastness of the universe and the turns of fate.
Marcus Aurelius, The Philosopher Emperor
Marcus Aurelius, probably the most famous Stoic philosopher thanks to his Meditations, found in Stoicism a way to endure personal difficulties, tragedies, and fears. He inherited the vast Roman Empire after the death of Antoninus Pius, but grew up under the shadow of Hadrian’s rule, whom he feared becoming in his more ruthless and paranoid traits.
Under Antoninus Pius’s more temperate and largely bloodless governance, Marcus learned the value of restraint and earned the respect of his peers. When he eventually took power as co-emperor with Lucius Verus, the empire was already suffering from wars on its borders and the Antonine plague ravaging its population. Marcus lost many sons and daughters, yet tried to maintain a grounded and disciplined life, in contrast with Lucius, who led a far more indulgent one.
Marcus had many philosophical mentors, several of them Stoics, but he was especially shaped by the example of Antoninus Pius. The contrast between Hadrian and Pius impressed upon him early the dangers of power, tyranny, and unchecked emotion. Combined with his personal losses and hardships, it is easy to see why he embraced Stoicism so deeply and embodied its values throughout his reign, sometimes even to a fault, as when he forgave enemies who betrayed him politically or militarily.
“The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Contemporary Stoicism
In an age of materialism, endless consumption, and a society increasingly affected by mental health struggles, Stoicism can appear as a form of escape, or even therapy. In some ways, it is. However, it is crucial to understand the philosophy at its core and to live by its values rather than merely quoting them.
At its heart, Stoicism remains centered on reason and logic. It encourages continuous learning, self-improvement, and living according to justice, temperance, and courage. Yet in a world where knowledge is more accessible than ever, fewer people seem willing to broaden their understanding. In many cases, we are moving in the opposite direction.
The ability to engage in dialogue and seriously consider opposing arguments is eroding under the pressure of social media. Polarization and radicalization thrive in such environments, but Stoicism stands firmly against this trend. Remaining calm when others are not, dismantling arguments through reason, and engaging in respectful discussion are core Stoic ideals. Reading opposing views, exploring unfamiliar ideas, and recognizing that much of life is shaped by perspective, while still seeking truth, is the path of intellectual growth the Stoics advocated.
“It is the power of the mind to be unconquerable.”
Seneca, Letters from a Stoic
Balance with the universe and nature is not merely about environmentalism or rejecting consumption. It is about accepting what comes our way, regardless of misfortune or success, and understanding that both suffering and luck are temporary. Whether the future brings ease or hardship, the Stoic faces it with reason and the calm confidence of someone prepared to accept what cannot be controlled.
In a world that presents wealth and success as universally attainable, processing life’s hardships is not easy. This is where resilience becomes essential. Continuing forward, learning from adversity, and striving to become better for ourselves, our families, and society is the Stoic response.
“Today I escaped anxiety. Or no, I discarded it, because it was within me, in my own perceptions, not outside.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Stoicism also reframes the concept of wealth. True wealth is not money or possessions, but the richness of the mind and an appreciation for what one already has. Material goods should serve as tools for self improvement, not as symbols of status. Money should be a resource, not a goal.
True ambition lies in becoming the best version of oneself, more educated, more just, more compassionate, not in accumulating wealth for its own sake. Wealth without purpose brings no fulfillment, only craving. Knowledge and virtue, however, create lasting strength and meaning.
“If what you have seems insufficient to you, then though you possess the world, you will yet be miserable.”
Seneca, Letters from a Stoic
Conclusion
Even after many years, this school of philosophy remains a subject I find endlessly fascinating. In a time of nonstop consumption, materialism presented as success, growing inequality, and restless minds, Stoicism can indeed offer a path toward a better life, provided we do more than understand its ideals and actually embody them.
As for myself, while I aim to live by Stoic values, I fundamentally agree with the Stoic belief that reason and knowledge should be our ultimate goals. True wealth resides in the mind, in learning and experience. Many of our problems live in our perceptions.
Letting go of the future or the past is not easy, but as Marcus Aurelius observed, our happiness depends on the quality of our thoughts. Our minds shape our experience of the world. Even if we cannot always be optimistic, we can remain grounded and confident. After all, we face life’s challenges with the weapons of reason, whenever and however they arise.
“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations