Stockdale was taken prisoner in the vietnam war and used his knowledge of epictetus stoicism to cope with the ordeal. Another student of stoicism, who used it to great effect was vice admiral james stockdale. In 1965, james stockdales a4e skyhawk was shot down over vietnamstockdale spent more than seven years in a vietnamese prison, and he wrote that stoicism saved his lifewhile some of his fellow pows tormented themselves with false hopes of an early release, stockdales stoic practice helped him confront the grim reality of his. We have read, sorted, and edited so you dont have to. Center for the study of professional military ethics. The serenity prayer, attributed to the christian theologian reinhold niebuhr 18921971, and published by alcoholics anonymous in several similar forms, could have come straight from the principles of stoicism, as this sidebyside comparison of the. View lecture slides stockdale on stoicism i the stoic warriors triad. From epictetus and marcus aurelius to james stockdale.
The optimist that says everything will be alright and does nothing is the same as the pessimist that says nothing will be alright and gives up, said stockdale to his students at stanford where he became a professor of stoicism after the war. Indeed, socrates, antisthenes, and xenophon, all of whom were known for their military service, would influence the later stoic tradition. Marine corps amphibious warfare school in quantico, virginia on april 18, 1995. The connection i made from this article is that good and evil is not simply black and white it is a gray area in that we are all subject to both good and evil throughout our lives, from minor choices lying, gossip, insults to major choices theft, murder, assault. And it remains a living example, too, for philosophers, of how you might put into practice ancient stoic consolations. This chapter provides an overview of the philosophy of stoicism and its influence in the military. This is why, when florus was deliberating whether he should appear at neros shows, taking part in the performance himself, agrippinus replied, appear by all means.
I think that this paradox is applicable to so many challenges we face including acute ones. Stockdale, testing epictetus doctrines in a laboratory of human behaviour, bulletin of the institute of. If ever stoicism has a use it is for the prisoner and the oppressed. Stockdale had read the stoic epictetus years earlier and during his imprisonment he found stoic philosophy invaluable as a way of coping with the extreme situation he faced. Part one this is part one of our twoweek series from the epictetus club, an account of how prison inmates used the philosophy of epictetus to help turn their lives around. The stoics held that all human beings were equal in the eyes of g o d. If you are able and willing, learn about him, regardless of your politics. The first, this publication, is a slightly edited version of two. The late vice admiral james stockdales finest hour did not come as ross perots vice presidential candidate, which is how most americans. Stockdales resilience is legendary in the military.
Author modern stoicism posted on april 30, 2014 categories stoicism in prison, uncategorised 2 comments on the epictetus club. In this essay he shares about how stoicism and epictetus in particular helped him through 7. In turning to stoicism, stockdale was ahead of his time. He was born a slave at hierapolis, phrygia present day pamukkale, turkey and lived in rome until his banishment, when he went to nicopolis in northwestern greece for the rest of his life. Bill winter and donavon riley read and discuss james b.
He credits epictetus as the key to his survival for sevenandahalf years of his life in military prison. Courage under fire testing epictetuss doctrines in a. Full audio book of stoicism practically applied during imprsonment, solitary confinement, torture in hanoi during the vietnam war. Only by facing the demonic current reality but having the faith in a better future will we accomplish our goals.
On stockdale s re t i r ement from active duty in 1979, the secretary of the navy established the viceadmiral james bond stock. Stockdale was the highestranking naval officer held as a prisoner in north vietnam. Nelson mandela, a prisoner for 27 years, and james stockdale, a. A navy pilot, stockdale spent over seven years in a north vietnamese prison camp, constantly abused and tortured beyond what most of us could ever imagine. The role of stoic philosophy in military leadership. His teachings were written down and published by his pupil arrian in his. In the last few days i have written about each of the three major stoic philosophers. Epictetus actually wrote none of his own philosophy. Stoics belittle physical harm, but this is not braggadocio. On stockdales re t i r ement from active duty in 1979, the secretary of the navy established the viceadmiral james bond stockdale leadership award, which is presented annually to two commanding officers, one in the atlantic fleet and one in the pacific. In this booklet admiral stockdale describes how he was introduced to the stoicism of epictetus and how it served him as a prisoner. He credits his survival to stoicism, specifically to epictetus.
Stockdale also blames the modern man for blindly opposing stoicism, without being aware of its positive qualities. Sherman had interviewed stockdale while conducting research for this book, and found that his words and attitude were almost indistinguishable from. As vice admiral, stockdale became the president for the citadel, the. Stockdaleand a common themethe influence of stoic philosophy on admiral stockdales life and career. The best part about stoicism is that you can go to the primary texts, read them and feel like they were written yesterday, not 2000 years ago. The stoicism that serves soldiers well at war can have a heavy cost at home. Let us discuss the case study of james stockdales historic cavalry and endurance to understand whether the stoic teachings of epictetus result in active endurance. The stoic philosophy has comforted and guided countless people through the ages who have been fortunate enough to learn from the insights of its teachers. He believes that an ethically based stoicism can do much for soldiers. What the stockdale paradox is and who its named after. In 1965, james stockdale s a4e skyhawk was shot down over vietnam stockdale spent more than seven years in a vietnamese prison, and he wrote that stoicism saved his lifewhile some of his fellow pows tormented themselves with false hopes of an early release, stockdale s stoic practice helped him confront the grim reality of his. I had been in the navy for twenty years and scarcely ever out of a cockpit.
The ancient philosophy behind the military mind by nancy sherman, oxford university press, 2005, 242 pp. Stockdale, usn retired the views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the department of the navy, the department ofdefense, or. Epictetus and admiral james stockdale reason and meaning. Stockdale paradox key concept for success in business and. Stockdale documented his reliance on the stoicism of epictetus as a means of coping with torture and incarceration during the vietnam war in thoughts of a philosophical fighter pilot 1995. This book contains every useful quote from all of the great minds of stoicism.
Vice admiral james stockdale, who has died at the age of 81 after suffering from alzheimers disease, was what his beloved greek philosophers would have called a greatsouled man. You can pick up seneca, marcus aurelius or epictetus and 28 books on stoicism. Naval academy, vice admiral stockdale is a figure of enormous. Whether we are going through recovery from an addiction or other disorder, getting divorced, grieving the loss of a loved one, or a host of other difficulties in our lives, you have to have faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, must confront the.
His story is worth far more than i can do it credit. He was born a slave at hierapolis, phrygia present. The importance of epictetus stoicism for stockdale, its role in a man in full, and its. He had led aerial attacks from the carrier uss ticonderoga cva14 during. Stockdale asked last year if the center would be interested in publishing some of his reflections on stoicism and its influence on his life. He spent seven and a half years in a brutal prison camp. I recommend this booklet because it is a great story and highlights how stoicism can be helpful.
When the war ended, he was released and would lecture on stoic philosophy and its. Likewise, special mention should go to us navy vice admiral james stockdales thoughts of a philosophical fighter pilot. The result will actually be our first two publications in this series, which we are calling stockdale on stoicism i. Epictetus and james stockdale stoicism in action youtube. The stoics claim that their philosophy has practical applications, and the story of james stockdale attests to that power. Courage under fire testing epictetuss doctrines in a laboratory of human behavior james bond stockdale i came to the philosophic life as a thirt y e i g h t y e a r old naval pilot. Vice admiral stockdale served on active duty in the regular navy for. Stoicism for the 21st century october 25, 2011 by rick morris 3 comments how an english poet, a roman emperor, and an american admiral can. Epictetus was a stoic philosopher in the manner of early stoics, such as. Stoicism 101 with brian johnson how to apply the ancient wisdom of seneca, epictetus and marcus aurelius to your modern life. James bond stockdale december 23, 1923 july 5, 2005 was a united states navy vice admiral and aviator awarded the medal of honor in the vietnam war, during which he. While a student at stanford, stockdale had studied epictetus enchiridion assiduously. Publication date 1995 topics stoicism, military collection opensource language. Carrieann biondi a quick glance at the website promoting nancy shermans stoic warriors indicates an impressive list of television and radio interviews as well as dozens of talks at both.
Like epictetus, stockdale was one of those rare stoic philosophers who have proven, from their own painful experience, that stoicism works under the most. Vice admiral james stockdale was shot down during the vietnam war. If youd like to contribute to the daily stoic, please get in touch. Stoicism and the military stoicism and the military 8 by diogenes laertius, that it was reading the second book of xenophons memorabilia that inspired zeno, the founder of stoicism, to become a philosopher.
Pdf the chapter is devoted to the analysis of ancient stoic philosophy as a source of resilience for soldiers. The first, this publication, is a slightly edited version of two lectures admiral stockdale gave to the students at the u. James bond stockdale december 23, 1923 july 5, 2005 was a united states navy vice admiral and aviator. Stockdale, a senior navy pilot shot down over vietnam, became a prisoner of war during the vietnam war. The stockdale paradox is a concept coined by author jim collins in the book good to great in this article you will learn. Testing epictetuss doctrines in a laboratory of human behavior james bond stockdale i came to the philosophic life as a thirt y e i g h t y e a r old naval pilot in grad school at stanford university. An essay by the late james stockdale, one of the most highly decorated officers in the history of the us navy. Individual soldiers, like james stockdale who is discussed later in.
While a student at stanford, stockdale had studied. Stoicism enables boldness in facing difficult situations and devotion for the wellbeing of the country, etc. You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes. James bond stockdale december 23, 1923 july 5, 2005 was a united states navy vice. In episode one, stockdale begins his discussion about how stoicism helped him survive as a prisoner of war for seven and onehalf years. He was awarded the medal of honor in the vietnam war, during which he was a prisoner of war for over seven years he was president of the naval war college from october 1977 until he retired from the navy in 1979. Naval academy, center for the study of professional military ethics, 2001 stoics 16 pages. The daily stoic pdf summary contains 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living gathered by ryan holiday and stephen hanselman. They are speaking of it in comparison to the devastating agony of shame t h e y. James stockdale simple english wikipedia, the free. It was the writings of epictitus which allowed him to survive seven years as a prisoner of war during the vietnam conflict. Particularly over the last 15 years, interest in it has surged, with articles, blogs, journals and groups springing up everywhere.
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