Why is Stoicism so popular in the US Army? - Philosophy for life
Why is Stoicism so popular in the US Army?
I’ve noticed, during the research for my upcoming book on how people use ancient philosophy in modern life, how many of the Stoics I interviewed were or are soldiers (or cops, or firemen). Why is that? I asked Nancy Sherman, professor of ethics at Georgetown University and the author of Stoic Warriors, which looks at Stoicism in the armed forces.
Do you think Stoicism can be a harmful ethos?
I think the little s stoic ethos of ‘suck it up and chuck on’ can be harmful. It’s a form of abstinence and denial. Your body goes into it naturally when you go into stressors. But it’s also inculcated by the command. You’re seen as a sissy if you cry, and a wimp if you go for therapy. If it’s linked with a certain macho denial of emotions, then it can be extremely harmful. It minimises all the emotions that are desirable in peace time.
Have a look at this opinion piece Professor Sherman wrote for the New York Times on the harmful impact of an unexamined stoic attitude in the military.
Here’s Admiral James Stockdale’s account of how he used Stoicism to survive seven years in a Hanoi POW camp. Part 1, and Part 2.
And here’s a video of Major Thomas Jarrett talking about his Stoic Warrior Resilience course, which he taught during the Iraq war.
0 0 0
3 thoughts on “Why is Stoicism so popular in the US Army?”
Steven
July 27, 2011 at 10:25 am
Reminds me of Baruch Spinoza, who was influenced by Stoicism but claimed that some emotions – like grief – are extremely hard to deal with.
I'd like to think that Stoicism is an ideal, to be pursued but not 100% attainable. In the end we're human right? Gulia used this metaphor: we're like the driver of a bus with all these passions on board – like love – and in the end we're lucky if we arrive at our destination in one peace…
Reply
TG
June 7, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Stoicism is excellent in times of crisis; it reminds me a lot of the Bhagavad Gita.
Arjuna a Warrior is overcome with grief about a difficult situation.
The Gita responds : “Your words are wise Arjuna; but the truly wise mourn neither for the dead or the living; perform your duty without attachment to the fruit s of your action”
“When a man can still the senses I call him illumined” The Bhagavad Gita
“Whoever practices tranquility whether he wills it or not, must necessarily be attended by constant cheerfulness, and a Joy that issues from deep within” Seneca
Stoicism is the armor which one poises oneself inside
-------------
She replied:
There’s a popularization of stoicism with a small s in our culture – the idea of being self-sufficient and self-reliant. In that sense, the word ‘stoic’ has survived in the popular vernacular. It has little to do with Stoicism. But Stoicism is also a natural fit for the military, in the sense of sucking it up, the stiff upper lip, and so on. Being a soldier is about deprivation, survival, the minimization of need and attachment.
There’s a popularization of stoicism with a small s in our culture – the idea of being self-sufficient and self-reliant. In that sense, the word ‘stoic’ has survived in the popular vernacular. It has little to do with Stoicism. But Stoicism is also a natural fit for the military, in the sense of sucking it up, the stiff upper lip, and so on. Being a soldier is about deprivation, survival, the minimization of need and attachment.
So Stoicism suits them.
In the US Navy and the military at the academy level, Admiral James Stockdale was also a popularizer of Stoicism. Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius are particularly popular, because they’re accessible.
In the US Navy and the military at the academy level, Admiral James Stockdale was also a popularizer of Stoicism. Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius are particularly popular, because they’re accessible.
And Aurelius was a soldier and emperor, which impresses military people.
Do you think Stoicism can be a harmful ethos?
I think the little s stoic ethos of ‘suck it up and chuck on’ can be harmful. It’s a form of abstinence and denial. Your body goes into it naturally when you go into stressors. But it’s also inculcated by the command. You’re seen as a sissy if you cry, and a wimp if you go for therapy. If it’s linked with a certain macho denial of emotions, then it can be extremely harmful. It minimises all the emotions that are desirable in peace time.
Have a look at this opinion piece Professor Sherman wrote for the New York Times on the harmful impact of an unexamined stoic attitude in the military.
Here’s Admiral James Stockdale’s account of how he used Stoicism to survive seven years in a Hanoi POW camp. Part 1, and Part 2.
And here’s a video of Major Thomas Jarrett talking about his Stoic Warrior Resilience course, which he taught during the Iraq war.
0 0 0
3 thoughts on “Why is Stoicism so popular in the US Army?”
Steven
July 27, 2011 at 10:25 am
Reminds me of Baruch Spinoza, who was influenced by Stoicism but claimed that some emotions – like grief – are extremely hard to deal with.
I'd like to think that Stoicism is an ideal, to be pursued but not 100% attainable. In the end we're human right? Gulia used this metaphor: we're like the driver of a bus with all these passions on board – like love – and in the end we're lucky if we arrive at our destination in one peace…
Reply
TG
June 7, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Stoicism is excellent in times of crisis; it reminds me a lot of the Bhagavad Gita.
Arjuna a Warrior is overcome with grief about a difficult situation.
The Gita responds : “Your words are wise Arjuna; but the truly wise mourn neither for the dead or the living; perform your duty without attachment to the fruit s of your action”
“When a man can still the senses I call him illumined” The Bhagavad Gita
“Whoever practices tranquility whether he wills it or not, must necessarily be attended by constant cheerfulness, and a Joy that issues from deep within” Seneca
Stoicism is the armor which one poises oneself inside
………………………….
Great Topic Jules…………… I appreciate your never ending efforts to provide clear explanations
cheers,
TG
Reply
GTG
March 8, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Stoicism is also popular because paradoxically submerging oneself within, helps one connect to others without. Stoicism is actually good for connecting with others, while rising above personal difficulties.
Great Topic Jules…………… I appreciate your never ending efforts to provide clear explanations
cheers,
TG
Reply
GTG
March 8, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Stoicism is also popular because paradoxically submerging oneself within, helps one connect to others without. Stoicism is actually good for connecting with others, while rising above personal difficulties.
