False philosophies are as bad as false religions. Stoicism, for instance, affirms divine providence and asserts that the social class you find yourself in is ordained by a higher power. Hinduism supports the Indian caste system. (Tending the Epicurean Garden, Hiram Crespo).
Most philosophies, like religions, become successful by bolstering the power of the ruler or ruling class. Stoicism is a good case in point. Whereas its Roman competitor, Epicureanism, eschewed politics, Stoicism appealed to the politicians around the Emperor because it affirmed their ability, power and position, and the natural order of things, which we know is no natural order but mostly luck and being at the right place at the right time, while enjoying the benefits of having the right parents.
It’s ironic that both Epicurus and the Stoics ended up avoiding political action that might have made for a more just and less violent status quo.
Epicurus, I’ve always thought, saw Greek political-military realities and made the best of the situation by devoting time and energy to living a good life apart from the political game. The Stoics were also quietists in that sense–there was no way to alter imperial politics or the cursus honorem, the career game of Rome’s establishment, so they developed a helpful philosophy to endure despite the Roman military machine.
Today, we at least have a hope of changing the injustices and challenging the hair-trigger reliance on force as a way to deal with complexities. Perhaps believe in the possibility of improvement is illusory but we can’t follow the Ancients in giving up the effort. At least not yet. But the time may come. . . .
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