ChatGPT's Version of Grant C. Sterling's "Core Stoicism"
I had ChatGPT generate an essay based on the text of Grant C. Sterling's "Core Stoicism."
ChatGPT:
"Stoicism: Core Principles"
"However, all human unhappiness is caused by having a desire or emotional commitment to some outcome that does not result. Therefore, if we desire things that are out of our control, we are subject to possible unhappiness. The only things in our control are our beliefs and will, and anything entailed by our beliefs and will. Desires are caused by beliefs or judgments about good and evil, and therefore, desires are in our control.
"The only thing that is actually good is virtue, and the only thing that is actually evil is vice. Since virtue and vice are types of acts of will, they are in our control. Things that are not in our control are never good or evil, and desiring things out of our control is irrational since it involves false judgment.
"If we value only virtue, we will judge truly and be immune to all unhappiness. If we truly judge that virtue is good, we will desire it, and if we achieve it, we will get a positive feeling. Therefore, if we correctly judge and correctly will, we will have appropriate positive feelings as a result.
"Some positive feelings do not result from desires and judgments about value, such as the taste of a good meal or the sight of a beautiful sunset. Such positive feelings are not irrational or inappropriate, but if we desire to achieve them or desire for them to continue beyond the present, then that would involve the judgment that they are good, and hence that would be irrational.
"The universe is, or is governed by, Nature, Providence, God, or the gods, and that which is natural or is governed by Providence, God, or the gods is exactly as it should be. If we regard any aspect or all aspects of the world as being exactly as they should be, we will receive appropriate positive feelings. Therefore, the Stoic will be positively happy in at least three ways: appreciation of his own virtue, physical and sensory pleasures, and the appreciation of the world as it is.
"Virtue consists of rational acts of will, and vice consists of irrational acts of will. Any act that aims at an external object of desire is not virtuous since all desires for externals are irrational. Virtue consists of the pursuit of appropriate objects of aim, not the pursuit of the external objects of our desires. Such virtuous acts will give us good feelings, and since we have no desires regarding the actual outcome, they will never produce unhappiness for us.
"In conclusion, this essay has argued that perfect and continual happiness is possible for anyone who learns to judge truly and act virtuously. The key to achieving this happiness lies in our control, as we have the power to make correct judgments and act on them. If we can cultivate the habit of judging correctly and acting virtuously, we can experience uninterrupted positive feelings and lead a happy life. It is clear, therefore, that happiness is not an elusive or unattainable goal, but rather a state that can be guaranteed by our own actions. By taking control of our judgments and actions, we can unlock the potential for perfect and continual happiness in our lives."
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