Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes the development of self-control and resilience in the face of adversity. One of the key tenets of Stoicism is the idea that we should strive to remain rational and detached in the face of difficult circumstances, including violence. In this article, we will explore the Stoic view of violence and how it relates to the broader philosophy of Stoicism.
Passive Aggression
Stoics believe that violence is a form of passive aggression, which is a failure to act in a rational and detached manner. They argue that violence is an expression of emotion and irrationality, rather than reason and logic. According to the Stoics, violence is a sign of weakness, not strength, and it is an indication that one has lost control of their emotions.
Self-Control
To the Stoics, self-control is a vital aspect of living a virtuous life. They argue that we should strive to remain calm and detached in the face of violence, rather than allowing our emotions to take over. By maintaining self-control in the face of violence, we demonstrate our strength and rationality, rather than our weakness and irrationality.
Detachment
Detachment is another important aspect of Stoicism. According to the Stoics, we should strive to detach ourselves from external events, including violence, and focus instead on our own inner state of mind. By remaining detached, we can avoid becoming overwhelmed by negative emotions and maintain a sense of inner peace and tranquility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Stoic view of violence is that it is a form of passive aggression, a failure to act in a rational and detached manner. Stoics believe that violence is a sign of weakness and that self-control and detachment are vital for living a virtuous life. By remaining calm and detached in the face of violence, we can maintain our inner peace and tranquility.
Leave a Reply