Neo-Stoicism Critique: Is the Remedy Part of the Problem?
A critical opinion piece argues that the modern revival of Stoicism, marketed as a cure-all for personal and professional woes, may actually exacerbate the issues it claims to solve. The author notes that Stoic philosophy is being commodified through books, courses, and talks, promising to eliminate the feeling of problems altogether. The article suggests that instead of turning to ancient Stoicism for postmodern malaise, we might have better looked to the Sophists—experts in rhetoric and opinion-making—who could offer more relevant tools for navigating contemporary challenges. The piece is published on eldiario.es and reflects on the cultural trend of philosophical self-help.
Key facts
- Stoicism is being marketed as a magical formula to make problems disappear.
- Books, courses, and talks on Stoicism are proliferating.
- Stoicism is applied to personal adversity, breakups, professional performance, and business stress.
- The author suggests Sophists might be a more relevant philosophical reference for postmodern problems.
- The article is an opinion piece on eldiario.es.
- The piece critiques the commodification of ancient philosophy.
- The author questions whether the remedy (neo-Stoicism) participates in the problem.
- The article references a previous 'Rincón de pensar' on the meaning of fraternity in a world threatened by fascism.
Entities
Institutions
- eldiario.es