Striving for Correct Assent: A Path to Eudaimonia
ChatGPT's rendition of Section VII of Grant C. Sterlings Making Correct Use of Impressions (See below).
"Introduction: The quest for inner peace, happiness, and well-being has been a central concern for humanity throughout history. In ancient Stoic philosophy, one of the essential goals was to achieve eudaimonia, a state of flourishing and contentment. To attain this state, Stoics emphasized the importance of correct assent, the process of consciously evaluating our impressions and responding to them in a virtuous manner. This essay explores the Stoic principles of correct assent and how they lead to character transformation and ultimately eudaimonia.
"I. Not Assenting to Impressions That Assign Value to Externals (a) The first step in striving for correct assent is to avoid assenting to impressions that depict external things as inherently good or evil. According to the Stoics, our well-being should not be tied to external circumstances but rather rooted in our own character and rationality. By recognizing that externals themselves lack intrinsic value, we free ourselves from the turmoil caused by seeking happiness in material possessions or the approval of others.
"II. Rejecting Subsequent Impressions Suggesting Immoral Responses (b) Inevitably, we may encounter situations where we fail to avoid assenting to value judgments about externals. However, the Stoics advise against compounding the error by assenting to subsequent impressions suggesting immoral responses to these external events. Instead, we should practice restraint and virtuous behavior, steering away from actions driven by negative emotions like anger or envy.
"III. Consciously Formulating True Propositions About the Lack of Value in External Things (c) To reinforce our understanding of the lack of value in external things, the Stoics recommend consciously formulating true propositions in advance. This involves reminding ourselves that our well-being is not contingent on external circumstances such as health, wealth, or the actions of others. By internalizing this philosophy, we gain mental resilience and autonomy over our emotions.
"I. Not Assenting to Impressions That Assign Value to Externals (a) The first step in striving for correct assent is to avoid assenting to impressions that depict external things as inherently good or evil. According to the Stoics, our well-being should not be tied to external circumstances but rather rooted in our own character and rationality. By recognizing that externals themselves lack intrinsic value, we free ourselves from the turmoil caused by seeking happiness in material possessions or the approval of others.
"II. Rejecting Subsequent Impressions Suggesting Immoral Responses (b) Inevitably, we may encounter situations where we fail to avoid assenting to value judgments about externals. However, the Stoics advise against compounding the error by assenting to subsequent impressions suggesting immoral responses to these external events. Instead, we should practice restraint and virtuous behavior, steering away from actions driven by negative emotions like anger or envy.
"III. Consciously Formulating True Propositions About the Lack of Value in External Things (c) To reinforce our understanding of the lack of value in external things, the Stoics recommend consciously formulating true propositions in advance. This involves reminding ourselves that our well-being is not contingent on external circumstances such as health, wealth, or the actions of others. By internalizing this philosophy, we gain mental resilience and autonomy over our emotions.
"IV. Consciously Formulating True Action Propositions Based on Preferred Indifferents and Duties (d) To navigate life effectively, the Stoics encourage us to consciously formulate true action propositions. This includes recognizing preferred indifferents - things that are beneficial but not essential to our well-being - and our duties in various roles. By aligning our actions with these truths, we can make rational choices that promote ethical behavior, regardless of external outcomes.
"V. Assenting to the Belief That a Good Action Has Been Performed (e) When we act in accordance with our virtues and duties, we must acknowledge and assent to the belief that we have performed a good action. This sense of self-approval leads to joy, or what the Stoics refer to as proto-joy. It is not the fleeting pleasure of indulging in external desires but the lasting contentment derived from acting virtuously.
"VI. Character Transformation Over Time Leads to Eudaimonia (f) As we consistently apply the principles of correct assent in our daily lives, our character begins to transform. We shed false value judgments about externals and develop a deeper understanding of the true nature of things. The process of consciously formulating true propositions and aligning our actions with virtues becomes second nature. This transformation paves the way towards eudaimonia - the harmonious combination of inner peace, virtuous actions, and genuine fulfillment.
"Conclusion: Striving for correct assent, as advocated by Stoic philosophy, provides a powerful framework for achieving eudaimonia - a state of flourishing and genuine well-being. By learning to avoid value judgments about externals, rejecting immoral responses, and consciously formulating true propositions and actions, we can attain a profound transformation of character. Embracing this path, we find lasting joy and contentment independent of external circumstances, and thus move closer to the ancient Stoic ideal of a fulfilled life" (ChatGPT).
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