The Core Principles of Stoicism Applied to a Thunderstorm

 ChatGPT,

Here's the situation: a thunderstorm is coming through from the Southwest. Using the following Core Principles of Stoicism, explain why the thunderstorm is neither good nor bad for me, and, so, ought to be nothing to me.

"ChatGPT"

"Title: The Core Principles of Stoicism: Harmonizing Beliefs and Emotions"

"Introduction"

"Stoicism, a philosophical school of thought originating in ancient Greece, provides a comprehensive framework for leading a fulfilling life through the cultivation of virtue and the mastery of one's inner world. The core principles of Stoicism emphasize the primacy of virtue, the limited nature of human control, and the transformative power of aligning beliefs with reality. By integrating the ideas presented in two distinct lists, this essay will explore the fundamental tenets of Stoicism and their practical implications for achieving eudaimonia, a state of true happiness and flourishing."


"Core Principles of Stoicism"

"List 1: Core beliefs of Stoicism"

1. "Happiness (eudaimonia) is found exclusively in virtue. .
2. "The only things we control are inner events such as our beliefs, desires, and acts of will."
3. "Virtue (or virtue and certain things that can be attained only by those with virtue) is the only genuine good, and vice the only genuine evil."
4. "Ergo, since virtue and vice are types of acts of will, they are in our control."
5. "Ergo, things not in our control [externals] are neither good nor evil."
6. "Emotions (or passions, if you prefer) arise from (false) beliefs that externals have value.
7. "No one should be disturbed by any external occurrence."

"List 2: "Stoicism" is the theory that:

a) Emotions are caused by value beliefs (beliefs about what things are good or evil).
b) I am my soul/prohairesis/inner self.
c) Everything else, including my body, is an external. d) No externals are ever good or evil.
e) All beliefs that externals have value are, hence, false.
f) All feelings that result from false value beliefs are, therefore, pathological and should be eliminated. This includes all fear, grief, and anger, as well as mental "pleasure", passionate love, etc. We eliminate them by changing the false value belief that generated the emotion.
g) Any feelings that arise from true value beliefs are not pathological. The primary example of this is "Joy".
h) Some feelings do not arise from a cognitive source, and hence are by definition indifferent externals. This includes 'startlement', physical pleasures and pains, and a few other things.
i) The goal of life is eudaimonia.
j) Eudaimonia includes both living a virtuous life and living a life of positive feelings.
k) Living a virtuous life is necessary for eudaimonia [because it is part of the very definition of eudaimonia], and is also sufficient for eudaimonia [because the virtuous person will experience Joy, a positive feeling, and no negative feelings whatsoever]."


"Applying the core principles of Stoicism to the situation of a thunderstorm coming through from the Southwest, we can examine why the storm itself is neither inherently good nor bad and why it ought to be nothing to you:

1. Virtue as the Path to Eudaimonia: Stoicism teaches that true happiness and fulfillment, known as eudaimonia, are achieved through the cultivation of virtue rather than external circumstances. The thunderstorm itself does not possess the power to affect your inner character or moral integrity. It is the virtue within you that determines your well-being, not the storm.

2. The Limited Scope of Human Control: Stoicism emphasizes that external events are outside the realm of our control. The thunderstorm, being an external event, falls into this category. Acknowledging this, Stoics focus their energy on mastering their inner selves rather than becoming preoccupied with external circumstances. Thus, the thunderstorm is beyond your control and should not be a source of distress or concern.

3. Discerning True Goodness and Evil: Stoicism asserts that genuine good lies solely in virtuous acts of will, while vice represents the only genuine evil. The thunderstorm itself is neither virtuous nor vicious—it is simply a natural occurrence. It is our actions and responses to the storm that determine whether we act virtuously or not. Thus, the storm holds no inherent moral value and should not be considered good or bad in itself.

4. The Deception of External Events: Stoicism teaches that emotions arise from false beliefs about the value of external things. Applying this principle, the thunderstorm is indifferent and holds no inherent value. It is our perception and judgment of the storm that determines our emotional response. By recognizing the storm as indifferent, we can detach ourselves from emotional turbulence and cultivate tranquility and equanimity.

5. The Stoic Practice of Transforming Beliefs: Stoicism emphasizes the importance of challenging and reshaping our value judgments to align them with reality. By recognizing that the storm itself is indifferent and neither good nor bad, we can transform our belief about its significance. This cognitive transformation allows us to alleviate negative emotions and maintain a resilient mindset in the face of external events."

"In summary, applying the core principles of Stoicism to the situation of a thunderstorm, we can understand that the storm itself is neither good nor bad. It is an external event beyond our control. Our virtue, inner character, and response to the storm determine our well-being. By recognizing the storm's indifference, transforming our beliefs, and focusing on what is within our control, we can cultivate tranquility and equanimity, aligning our lives with the pursuit of eudaimonia" (ChatGPT).