Misunderstood Stoicism: The negative Association Between Stoic Ideology and well-Being

Johannes Alfons Karl (), Paul Verhaeghen, Shelley N. Aikman, Stian Solem, Espen R. Lassen and Ronald Fischer
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Johannes Alfons Karl: Victoria University of Wellington
Paul Verhaeghen: Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta
Shelley N. Aikman: University of North Georgia
Stian Solem: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Espen R. Lassen: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Ronald Fischer: Victoria University of Wellington

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2022, vol. 23, issue 7, No 19, 3547 pages

Abstract: Abstract Ancient philosophy proposed a wide range of possible approaches to life which may enhance well-being. Stoic philosophy has influenced various therapeutic traditions. Individuals today may adopt an approach to life representing a naive Stoic Ideology, which nevertheless reflects a misinterpretation of stoic philosophy. How do these interpretations affect well-being and meaning in life? We examine the differential effects of Stoic Ideology on eudaimonic versus hedonic well-being across three cultural contexts. In this pre-registered study, across samples in New Zealand (N = 636), Norway (N = 290), and the US (N = 381) we found that a) Stoic Ideology can be measured across all three contexts and b) Converging evidence that Stoic Ideology was negatively related to both hedonic well-being and eudaimonic well-being. Focusing on specific relationships, we found especially pronounced effects for Taciturnity (the desire to not express emotions) and Serenity (the desire to feel less emotions). Despite being a misinterpretation of stoic philosophy, these findings highlight the important role of individuals’ orientations to emotional processing for well-being.

Keywords: Stoic Ideology; Stoicism; Well-being; Orientations to happiness; cross-cultural (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00563-w

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