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_posts/20160130_Revelations_Stoic_Understanding.html

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 ---
      layout: default
-     tabtitle: Stoicismv1
-     title: Stoicismv1
+     tabtitle: Developing Stoic Understanding
+     title: Developing Stoic Understanding
      tags: philosophy
 ---
 
 <article>
-     <h1>Stoicismv1</h1>
+     <h1>Revelations: Developing Stoic Understanding</h1>
      <p>Sherman J. Clark wrote a fantastic article on the Stoicism Today blog in
      December which really spoke to me. It approached some of the questions and
      problems I've had with Stoicism in an elegant and enlightening way, which
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@
 
      <p>Clark investigates 5 possible answers to this dilemma, none of which
      fully answer our question. However, he does propose a solution, and it is a
-     solution which resonates with me deeply: "true stoic joy comes through
-     comprehension, understanding, and insight." And that's the final building
-     block.</p>
+     solution which resonates with me deeply: <b>"true stoic joy comes through
+     comprehension, understanding, and insight</b>." And that's the final
+     building block.</p>
 
      <h2>Completing the Puzzle</h2>
      <p>Putting it all together, what I took from Clark, and what has helped me
@@ -101,11 +101,58 @@
      together.</b></p>
 
      <p>This has always been what has brought me the most happiness, but to hear
-     it from someone else now makes it much more potent. I think it boils down
-     to an affirmation of my discovery by another. Almost ironically so,
+     it from someone else now makes it much more potent. Almost ironically so,
      considering one of the first topics I wrote about above was my general
-     disregard of community in Stoicism.
+     disregard of community in Stoicism. In retrospect, it makes perfect sense
+     why I find computers so fascinating, or puzzles, or even video games: they
+     force me to learn about a system. And what more complex and unexplored
+     system exists than the literal infinity of the universe? When we pursue the
+     Stoic ideal too completely, there is a perceived risk that we will grow
+     completely apathetic, forced to acknowledge that while negative emotions
+     are not worth concern, so too are positive emotions, including joy! With
+     the revelation that true joy comes from understanding, the flawed
+     perception is then clarified to show flawed pursuit: we grow apathetic not
+     because we incorrectly realise nothing in the world is worthwhile, but
+     because we fail to understand the system. We grow apathetic by not
+     understanding the universe, or at the very least by ignoring the call to
+     curiosity. Everything boils down to understanding: we develop temperance
+     by understanding what is worth pursuit; we develop courage by understanding
+     fear; we develop wisdom by understanding how to learn; we develop justice
+     by understanding righteousness and wellness.</p>
 
+     <h3>Challenge</h3>
+     <p>My challenge now is to embrace this lifestyle completely. In the confines
+     and privacy of my own mind, it's very easy to follow. The only emotions and
+     opinions I need to concern myself with are my own, and I work hard to
+     properly concern myself with them. When it comes to others, I will
+     face emotions and opinions which I may disagree with, which may be
+     downright harmful, or which will hinder my pursuits. I will face failure
+     and frustration, especially so when opinions are concerned. This is where I
+     must double my efforts, and lead by example: show that the point is not to
+     win, or be the best, but to learn and understand. But what if this hinders
+     another, or makes them uncomfortable, or causes them harm? When I'm in
+     social interactions, I go out of my way to avoid uncomfortable or harmful
+     scenarios. I try not to call out others on their faults or failures,
+     because I don't believe them to be capable of handling it. That may be
+     worse than an accusation: to assume weakness or inability!</p>
+
+     <p>I must learn to act in accordance with Nature. I must seek to understand
+     all that I experience. I will seek the experience of others to verify or
+     improve my understanding as often as possible. Likewise, I will provide
+     others with my experience, so that they may learn and improve their
+     understanding. I will never do so in an attempt to prove myself superior,
+     because I know that pursuit is fruitless; pride does not bestow
+     understanding. And if others try to prove themselves superior to me, then I
+     will most likely let them, because pride does not bestow understanding.
+     Plus, if they are superior to me, then I have a source of knowledge!</p>
+
+     <p>In summary, I'm left with a question, and a revelation. The revelation
+     is that the greatest joy in life is understanding the universe. The
+     question is, how do I share this joy with others without being offensive or
+     insensitive? So long as my intentions are pure, I'm doing what I can to
+     avoid those problems, and the remainder rests on the audience.</p>
+
+     <h2>Source</h2>
      <p>Sherman J. Clark's article can be found on the Stoicism Today blog,
      linked here: [<a
      href="https://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/stoicismtoday/2015/12/19/how-now-horatio-the-stoic-joy-of-physics-and-friendship-by-sherman-j-clark/">Link</a>]</p>