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The Practicing Stoic summary
A Philosophical User's Manual
15 mins
Brief summary
The Practicing Stoic by Ward Farnsworth offers a practical guide to applying Stoicism in daily life. It explores timeless teachings and exercises to cultivate resilience, inner peace, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
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The Practicing Stoic
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You’re less likely to feel sad if you analyze your judgments
You’ve already learned the first principle of Stoicism: we don’t react to events – we react to judgments about events. It then follows, say the Stoics, that how we respond to what the world throws at us is a choice.
The Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius, one of the great Stoic thinkers of the ancient world, explored this idea in the second century CE. He notes that it’s usually not things “out there” in the external world that distress us, but how we think about them.
You can’t control the traffic on your morning commute, for example – sometimes, there’ll be traffic jams. If you view this delay as a major inconvenience that ruins your plans and wastes your time, you’re going to feel annoyed. But you don’t have to frame it that way. You could, for example, see it as an unexpected opportunity to listen to your favorite podcast or simply have some quiet time to yourself. Framed that way, the experience is neutral or even enjoyable.
Stoics think our emotions involve a three-stage process. First, there’s an event – that traffic jam, say, or a passive-aggressive email from a colleague. We then form a judgment about these events: we decide that they’re bad and important. Finally, we react to our own judgments. Simply put, we get mad or sad – or just annoyed.
The middle step in this process is often overlooked. One of the ways we become wiser, Stoics argue, is to think more carefully about this step. When we pay attention, we realize that our judgments are frequently irrational.
Take personal slights. The insult itself is meaningless – unless you make something of it. If it bothers you, it’s because you’ve decided it’s significant. If you decided it didn’t matter, it would lose its power. Many irritations can be seen this way. Bad weather and noisy neighbors don’t have any intrinsic meaning; they can’t cause your annoyance. It’s how you react that does that.
Noticing how judgments are formed isn’t second nature. And when we do notice them, we discover how easy it is to hold contradictory opinions. Many people know that the spiders they find in their bathtubs aren’t dangerous, but are still scared of them. Often, we continue reacting negatively even though we know that our judgment is faulty. That’s one of the reasons Stoicism is hard – it requires a lot of psychological strength to change deeply ingrained reactions.
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What is The Practicing Stoic about?
The Practicing Stoic (2018) offers guidance on how to handle tough times with a clear mind and steady heart. Tapping into ancient wisdom, it provides lasting lessons on seeing things clearly, making smart choices, and dealing with life’s challenges more smoothly.
The Practicing Stoic Review
The Practicing Stoic (2018) is a profound exploration of Stoicism and its practical application in modern life. Here's why this book stands out:
- Delving into timeless philosophical teachings of Stoicism, it offers invaluable wisdom on resilience, self-improvement, and finding tranquility amidst chaos.
- By drawing parallels between ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges, the book bridges the gap between the ancient philosophy and our hectic modern lifestyles.
- Through practical exercises and thought-provoking reflections, it encourages readers to cultivate a Stoic mindset for enhanced well-being and resilience in today's world.
Who should read The Practicing Stoic?
- Philosophy enthusiasts seeking practical life guidance
- Readers interested in ancient wisdom and modern application
- Individuals facing personal or professional challenges
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The Practicing Stoic FAQs
What is the main message of The Practicing Stoic?
The main message of The Practicing Stoic is the importance of applying Stoic principles in daily life to cultivate inner peace and resilience.
How long does it take to read The Practicing Stoic?
Reading time for The Practicing Stoic varies but typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in around 15 minutes.
Is The Practicing Stoic a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Practicing Stoic is worth reading for its practical advice on Stoicism, offering insights to navigate challenges in a thoughtful and resilient manner.
Who is the author of The Practicing Stoic?
The author of The Practicing Stoic is Ward Farnsworth.
What to read after The Practicing Stoic?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Practicing Stoic, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- On Gaslighting by Kate Abramson
- Mind Magic by James R. Doty
- How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb
- A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
- Hardcore Self Help by Robert Duff
- The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman
- Work Clean by Dan Charnas