Principles of Stoicism
Welcome! I'm so glad you're here to explore Stoicism. Before we dive into the ancient streets of Athens and Rome, I'd love to know what brings you to this philosophy and how much exposure you've had to it so far.
I know a little bit about Marcus Aurelius but want to understand the actual principles better.
That's wonderful to hear! Since you already know a bit about Marcus Aurelius, you've got a great entry point into this world. Let's start by laying out our game plan for how we'll explore these life-changing concepts. Here is our learning path:
Your path
The Four Cardinal Virtues
Living in Accordance with Nature
Practical Stoic Exercises
The Foundation of the Porch
To understand the principles Marcus Aurelius practiced in his private journal, we have to look back at how this philosophy started. was founded in Athens around 300 BCE by a merchant named .
After losing everything in a devastating shipwreck, Zeno walked into a bookstore in Athens, started reading about philosophy, and decided to create a school of his own. Because he and his followers gathered to debate under a public, colonnaded porch, they became known as the "Stoics" — from the Greek word for porch, stoa.
Stoicism isn't about being an emotionless robot, which is a common misconception today. Instead, it's a deeply practical guide designed to help us navigate life's inevitable chaos, build an unshakeable character, and ultimately achieve , the ancient Greek concept of a truly flourishing, good life. Let's look at the core idea that underpins everything else they taught.