Gregory Hays wrote a fantastic introduction to his translation of Meditations. One of the things I enjoyed the most was his description of three Stoic disciplines.
Gregory Hays · Introduction to Meditations · P.xxxivThe Discipline of Perception requires that we maintain absolute objectivity of thought: that we see things dispassionately for what they are.
Here he notes the difference between what our mental impressions are (our senses) and our perception (how we interpret our senses). The former is called “phantasia,” and the latter is “hypolepsis.” We cannot always trust our perceptions. We interpret our senses incorrectly at our peril.
Gregory Hays · Introduction to Meditations · P.xxxvThe second discipline, that of action, relates to our relationship with other people … we must work for their collective good, while treating them justly and fairly as individuals.
I think this is the source of most happiness and joy and is why selfishness seems so wrong.
Gregory Hays · Introduction to Meditations · P.xxxviiThe third discipline, the discipline of will … governs our attitude to things that are not within our control, those that we have done to us (by others or by nature).
For instance, we cannot control death, so accept it. But the principle applies to all sorts of things: acts of cruelty, misfortunes, accidents. It sounds trite, but it’s useful: don’t stress about what you can’t control.
In the same section where Hays outlines these three disciplines, he calls out the Socratic paradox, “the claim that no one does wrong willingly and that if men were able to recognize what is right, they would inevitably do it.” (P.xl)
I really like this, and it is (unrecognized by me before reading this) the underpinning of why I rebel when I hear broad condemnations of people or groups. Platitudes like “ICE Sucks” or “Fuck Trump” lack thought. You can disagree with their actions, and I often do, but let’s be brothers and discover together what is good.