Introductory Questions
- Why study Stoicism?
- Is Stoicism something I have to believe in, or commit my life to?
- What is Stoicism, considered as a philosophy of life in modern times?
- What was Stoicism, historically?
Virtue and Nature
- What did the Stoics mean by “virtue?”
- What does it mean to live in accordance with nature?
- What is meant by a “preferred” or “unpreferred” indifferent?
The big questions
Advice and coping with problems
- How can Stoicism help me with my problem?
- How would a Stoic help me with my problem?
- How might a student of Stoicism cope with my problem?
- What would a student of Stoicism do in my situation?
- How would a Stoic sage react to my problem?
Misconceptions
- Is it true that Stoics repress their emotions and feelings?
- Does Stoicism encourage passively accepting your fate?
- Does Stoicism advocate obedience to tradition and authority?
- Is avoiding pain the goal of Stoicism?
- Is enjoyment of life’s pleasures a goal advocated in Stoicism?
- Is Stoicism a selfish or individualistic philosophy?
- Is it Stoic to be hard-hearted or callous toward others?
- Can Stoics appreciate life?
- Is Stoicism pessimistic?
Religion, theology, and the gods
- Do Stoics believe in God, or gods?
- If modern Stoics do not adopt the classical Stoic theology, what do they believe?
Determinism and free will
- Were the classical Stoics determinists?
- If Stoics believed in determinism, what is “in our control?”
- How did the Stoics reconcile determinism with moral responsibility?
- If everything is determined, what is the point of trying to do anything?
- How did the Stoics reconcile determinism with the asserted “freedom” of the sage?
- What resources are there for further exploration of Stoic determinism and free will?