Apathetic Indifference
I'm kind of revising my beliefs about stoicism and cynicism as of late. Namely, what's the point of apatheia in stoicism and cynicism?
By this I mean, what kind of utility or purpose does it provide to one's self or society? It's very hard to believe in something of indifference or apatheia if one wants to survive in society nowadays? Isn't it detrimental to be apathetic or indifferent when society forces a person to be proactive or vigilant about one's welfare?
Maybe some other member might be able to elucidate what purpose can Stoic apatheia or indifference serve nowadays?
By this I mean, what kind of utility or purpose does it provide to one's self or society? It's very hard to believe in something of indifference or apatheia if one wants to survive in society nowadays? Isn't it detrimental to be apathetic or indifferent when society forces a person to be proactive or vigilant about one's welfare?
Maybe some other member might be able to elucidate what purpose can Stoic apatheia or indifference serve nowadays?
Comments (5)
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
Yes, but the Serenity Prayer is more geared towards AA and NA members... Hmm...
Discernment. It is one of the hallmarks of maturity and wisdom. Think, "Pick your battles."
A Stoic is indifferent to what's not in his/her control. You're not indifferent to whether you live or how you live to the extent that's in your control.
The serenity prayer is a very good match for the stoic spirit. I don't know how far this is true but it's claimed christianity & stoicism have some elements in common, the latter influencing the former. Nietzsche was probably critiquing stoicism in christianity, he must've interpreted it as defeatism, only the weak are like that - the set of things they can change is the null set. Nietzsche'swill to power makes sense now - stoics must be eradicated and stoicisim buried for good.
That the stoic attitude is suited for addicts proves the point, doesn't it?, that Zeno's (of Citium) philosophy is about control, the lack thereof to be precise. It speaks volumes regarding how life was back then - the 3rd century BC was likely a time when "people had very little autonomy."
Intriguingly, there's a paradox lurking at the very foundation of the stoic way of life. Thus the quotes around, "people had very little autonomy". The stoic call to accept instead of resist one's circumstances makes sense also if people did have high levels of control over their lives. Isn't that precisely what "...can't be changed" - other people?!