A Simplified Modern Approach to Stoicism

A Simplified Modern Approach to Stoicism
philosophy-of-cbt.com

To emphasize Ethics, for instance, and not at all address the Physics or Logic: this conceptually and historically cannot be Stoicism. Call it 'ascetic maximalism' or whatever you want, but it is not conceptually or historically Stoicism.

The OP has only underscored Stoic Ethics, or at least butchered it, and this clearly shows. Logic nor Physics appears in the OP, and the OP assumes or implies that Stoicisms would accept a doctrine of fatalism.

Stoics were not fatalist, and it is unfortunate that this misinformation continues to color and determine our perception of Stoic history and Stoic thought.

What you are reading in the OP cannot historically or conceptually be called "Modern Stoicism." Physics and Logic are important. It is important that all Stoics, for instance, treat certain questions of logic in a certain way. Historically, students would not be accepted into certain schools or by certain teachers if those students did not accept the logical foundations of their teachers.

Moreover, many teachers order logic first, before Physics and before Ethics. So to leave it (or Physics for that matter) out, supposing one were talking about Stoicism, historically Stoic teachers would simply quizzically glance you over and remind you of the importance of logic, even if what you say happens to align with their philosophical tenets. Getting there by accident is fair, but that's not Stoicism.

This will get one started cheaply: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUCRETIUS-EPICTETUS-12-Britannica-Gr... Be aware, this volume includes Lucretius who is not a stoic, rather, a typical reductionist Epicurian. The Enchiridion can also be found cheaply: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enchiridion-Dover-Thrift-Editions-By... . Here's a fine translation of Plutarch's Lives: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plutarch-Great-Books-of-the-Western-... . These works are cheap and readily available used on eBay and elsewhere. Take advantage of it if you are seriously interested in learning.

Avoid the marketing. Read Knuth or K&R rather than "How to Program in 24 hours", etc. The same goes for philosophy. There's nothing new under the sun. Seek out what's stood the test of time, incorporate it into your fundamentals, and proceed from there.

This is still just as naive, in my opinion. There are plenty of people who knowingly trample others to advance their own selfish goals, who know that it's unfair, and who sincerely don't care.