Let’s embark on an enlightening journey through the heart of Stoic philosophy as we explore the three fundamental disciplines: Desire, Action, and Assent. These disciplines, deeply rooted in the ancient wisdom of Stoicism, offer a timeless guide to living a life of balance, purpose, and harmony.

“There are three areas in which the person who would be wise and good must be trained. The first has to do with desires and aversions—that a person may never miss the mark in desires nor fall into what repels them. The second has to do with impulses to act and not to act—and more broadly, with duty—that a person may act deliberately for good reasons and not carelessly. The third has to do with freedom from deception and composure and the whole area of judgment, the assent our mind gives to its perceptions. Of these areas, the chief and most urgent is the first which has to do with the passions, for strong emotions arise only when we fail in our desires and aversions.” – Epictetus, Discourses

In Stoicism: A Detailed Breakdown of Stoicism Philosophy and Wisdom from the Greats, George Tanner describes these disciplines with a more modern perspective. Humans have three drives in life.

• First, we act to achieve our goals.
• Second, we identify with the interests of others, whether it be family, friends, or other human beings in general.
• Third, we have the power of reasoning to solve problems that life brings.

The Discipline of Desire

Desire, or Stoic acceptance, is derived from the study of physics, specifically cause and effect. It focuses on training oneself to desire things that nature allows and not desire things that it doesn’t allow. As Epictetus says, endure what the universe throws at you (linked to courage), and renounce what the universe doesn’t allow (related to temperance).

The discipline of desire is all about understanding what is and is not appropriate to want. It is based on the notion that you shouldn’t want things that are not under your control. This, in turn, leads to the utilization of two virtues: courage to face the facts and realities of life and temperance to adjust our desires to what is achievable and realistic.

Understanding Desire in Stoicism centers on the ancient wisdom that teaches us to align our desires with virtue and reason rather than external circumstances.

The Stoic discipline of desire cautions against the pursuit of external validations that often lead to disappointment. It promotes the practice of amor fati, the love of fate, which is an acceptance of things beyond our control, thereby freeing us from the shackles of unmet expectations and disappointments.

Stoics argue for active engagement in life, not as passive observers but as participants who accept what can’t be changed and strive for what can be, blending acceptance with action in a way that fosters inner peace and resilience.

In the contemporary context, the Stoic discipline of desire remains profoundly relevant, offering a counter-narrative to the consumerist and social media-driven culture that fuels endless desires. By fostering self-awareness, gratitude, voluntary discomfort, and virtuous goals, Stoicism provides a blueprint for navigating modern life with contentment and resilience. It teaches us that true happiness and freedom come from within through the cultivation of a mindset that values simplicity, self-reliance, and a focus on the present.

In practicing Stoic principles, we learn to transform our relationship with desire itself, discovering that the path to a fulfilling life is not in acquiring more but in desiring less, in alignment with our true nature and the good of the community.

The Discipline of Action

The Stoic discipline of action, also known as Stoic philanthropy, tells us how to behave in the world and how to act towards others and the universe. It is based on the virtue of justice.

The discipline of action in Stoicism is not just about personal virtue but extends to the betterment of society at large. It teaches that every action should be performed with a clear and virtuous intent, ideally for the common good of humanity. This involves a deliberate focus on efforts that are within our power—our actions and reactions—and an acceptance of the outcomes, which may be influenced by factors beyond our control.

Stoics approach action with the reserve clause, “fate permitting,” acknowledging that while the effort is within our control, the result may not be. This philosophy encourages a mindset of doing one’s best while being prepared to accept any outcome. Such an approach ensures that our actions are not only purposeful but also resilient to the unpredictability of life, emphasizing the importance of intention, effort, and detachment from outcomes we cannot control.

According to Marcus Aurelius, who attributes this to Epictetus, there are three critical considerations when it comes to any action.

First, the best way to undertake any action is to realize and accept from the very beginning that it may not turn out the way you intended. You do this by adding a caveat to your goals along the lines of “I will do this, fate permitting.” Acting “with reservation,” “with a reserve clause,” or “with an exception” is a translation of the Greek term hupexhairesis or Latin concept of exceptio. It means you act with a detached attitude towards the outcome. You will do your best, but you understand that some things not under your control can derail your efforts, and you accept it calmly.

The second consideration is that true fulfillment comes from undertaking actions in the service of the common good, taking the right actions that benefit humanity in some way. All your actions throughout your life should serve this single target – serving the common good rather than conflicting with it. This means your actions should be in harmony with the common good of society, your friends, and your family.

The third consideration is to focus on things that are in accordance with nature and value as judged by practical wisdom and justice. You should deal fairly with others and take reasonable actions that lead to preferred external things rather than dispreferred ones.

Applying the Stoic discipline of action in the 21st century involves mindful decision-making, focusing on what we can control, acting with virtue, and embracing community responsibility. It challenges us to reflect on the intention behind our actions, ensuring they contribute to personal growth and the welfare of others. By focusing our efforts on our actions, attitudes, and responses, rather than external rewards or recognition, we align our lives with Stoic virtues.

This practice encourages us to recognize our role within the community and strive to contribute positively, acting for the common good. In doing so, we navigate modern life with a sense of purpose, integrity, and inner peace, proving that the Stoic discipline of action remains a powerful guide for living a fulfilling life amidst the complexities of the modern world.

The Discipline of Assent

The Stoic discipline of assent, also known as Stoic mindfulness, deals with how to react and respond to our environment and our perceptions. It discusses whether or not to give our assent to initial impressions and how to act as reasonable beings who are able to use reason. The discipline of assent is linked to the virtue of practical wisdom. It involves using reason to deal with emotions.

Stoicism focuses on the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. It involves improving one’s ethical and moral well-being and living a virtuous life in agreement with nature. This also applies to interpersonal relationships, removing negative emotions such as anger or envy, and accepting that all people are products of nature and thus deserve our attention.

The Stoic discipline of assent, particularly relevant in our fast-paced, information-rich 21st century, teaches the critical skill of discernment—evaluating and responding to the impressions we receive from the world around us with wisdom and reason, rather than impulsiveness or misinformation. It emphasizes living in harmony with our rational nature, guiding us to make judgments that align with virtue and the true nature of things.

By practicing this discipline, we learn to pause and reflect before reacting, ensuring that our decisions and actions are grounded in a deep understanding of our experiences and are conducive to our inner peace and moral integrity.

The core of the Stoic discipline of assent lies in its approach to our impressions and the initial perceptions we have of external events. Stoics teach that these impressions are the starting point for our judgments and actions, and it is within our power to accept or reject these impressions based on their alignment with reality and virtue.

By applying critical thinking and rational analysis, we can differentiate between impressions that lead to constructive outcomes and those that could lead us astray. This process of evaluation is crucial for maintaining emotional equilibrium and acting in ways that reflect our true values.

In modern life, the discipline of assent can be a powerful tool for navigating the constant flow of information and the myriad choices we face daily. It teaches us to critically assess the barrage of stimuli we encounter, to pause and reflect before reacting to news, social media, or personal interactions.

This Stoic practice encourages us to cultivate emotional resilience by choosing how we interpret and respond to events, rather than being swept away by initial reactions. By focusing on our capacity to give or withhold assent to our impressions, we can lead lives characterized by greater clarity, purpose, and tranquility.

The Stoic discipline of assent, therefore, is not just an ancient philosophical concept but a highly relevant and practical approach to living well in the modern world, enabling us to act with integrity, compassion, and rationality in the face of life’s challenges.

Stoic Disciplines: Putting It All Together

We journeyed into the core of Stoic philosophy, examining its three fundamental disciplines: Desire, Action, and Assent. These disciplines serve as a guide for achieving a balanced, purposeful, and harmonious life.

The Discipline of Desire teaches us to align our wants with what nature allows, using courage and temperance.

The Discipline of Action, rooted in the virtue of justice, instructs us on how to interact with the world and others, emphasizing actions for the common good and accepting outcomes beyond our control.

The Discipline of Assent, akin to mindfulness, focuses on our reactions and the use of reason in responding to our environment, aiming to cultivate self-control and emotional resilience.

Questions for Reflection and Comment:

• How do you apply the Discipline of Desire in your daily life, especially in distinguishing between what you can and cannot control?
• Can you share an experience where acting with a ‘reserve clause’ (as described in the Discipline of Action) changed the outcome or your perspective on an event?
• In what ways have you practiced Stoic mindfulness (Discipline of Assent) to improve your responses to challenging situations?

Reflect on these Stoic disciplines and share your experiences in the comments. How have these ancient principles influenced your modern life? Your insights and stories could be a source of inspiration and learning for others on this philosophical path.

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