His reactions to external forces are so uninformed by reason that he actually limits his ability to make choices in the future-like the man who gets angry and kills and is imprisoned. Someone who is completely immature in the ways of logos acts impulsively and with passion (appetite and/or fear). Stoicism says that the alignment of one’s perception with the logos is a journey. The closer we are to the logos, the more ethical we will naturally act, according to Stoicism. Ethics-the way we should act-is based on logos. All our assessments, whether concerning the temperature of a beverage or the feeling of imminent doom, are only accurate insofar as we are in tune with the logos. But we can only accurately interpret those sensations through logos, which defines how the world works. When our five senses interact with other material objects, their reality is impelled upon us. Stoicism teaches materialism-that all of creation is made of material stuff, including god/ logos and human souls (which are made of fire). The philosophical base of Stocism is physics, or the natural world. The philosophy is comprised of three disciplines. Stoicism was first taught by Zeno around 300 BC in the stoa poikile (painted colonnade) in the Agora in Athens.

True Stoicism says to align one’s expectations with the logos-the natural law of the cosmos-and not to worry about the rest. In reality, Epicureanism teaches to arrange one’s life in such a way that it is completely free of stress-including the stress brought about by over-indulgence and pleasure-seeking. This view is over-simplified to the point of inaccuracy. Many people think Epicureanism is all about pleasure in life while Stoicism is all about rejecting pleasure. Stoicism, which emphasizes rationalism and logic, is commonly considered to be the opposite of Epicureanism, which is seen as promoting feeling and comfort. In speaking to the Stoics and other philosophers gathered on Mars Hill, Paul gave a presentation of the gospel and made a point of mentioning the Athenian altar to the “ unknown god” as proof of their spiritual ignorance.

While Paul was in Athens, a group of Stoics met him and engaged him in a debate (Acts 17:18) that started in the marketplace and continued in the Areopagus. Stoicism is one of many ancient Greek philosophies.

Osho on stoicism