7 min read
The Dichotomy of Control: The Most Powerful Idea in Philosophy
Epictetus taught that suffering comes not from events themselves, but from our judgments about them. Modern neuroscience agrees.
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Stoicism, founded in Athens around 300 BCE, is a philosophy of personal ethics informed by its system of logic and views on the natural world. Far from being about suppressing emotions, Stoicism teaches the practice of distinguishing between what is within our control and what is not — and focusing energy exclusively on the former. Modern cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) draws directly from Stoic principles, validating this 2,300-year-old wisdom with contemporary science.
Science Snapshot
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is directly derived from Stoic philosophy, is the most extensively researched form of psychotherapy. Meta-analyses show it is effective for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic pain.
Key Topics
Dichotomy of Control
Negative Visualization (Premeditatio Malorum)
Cognitive Reappraisal
Amor Fati
Journaling & Reflection
Virtue Ethics
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