You're correct that - ultimately - they don't matter for our happiness but that is because - ultimately - it is enough for our happiness to strive for a life with friends, family and a peaceful community even if we don't get any if those things. Even so, that is the life we should strive for. Stoicism is a deeply social philosophy.
Its interesting the idea that family, friends and community are preferred indifferents when the way we get to really hone in on whether or not we are virtuous is often through interactions with these people. It's easy to be virtuous in writing and pondering. It is much harder to really show up in the world as a Stoic when you have to interact with people. Especially, often your family, who know how to push your buttons. I think the trained stoic would find a way to be virtuous and therefore happy, even in solitary confinement, but the ideal stoic would be a person of the world.
I like that you said it is the wisdom in pursuing these things (family, friends, and community) in life that can lead to happiness. Though I would argue that it is also the challenges that come with pursuing these things in life that can be the kindling to ignite virtue.
I thought they don't matter. They neither add to nor subtract from your good.
You're correct that - ultimately - they don't matter for our happiness but that is because - ultimately - it is enough for our happiness to strive for a life with friends, family and a peaceful community even if we don't get any if those things. Even so, that is the life we should strive for. Stoicism is a deeply social philosophy.
Beautiful! "...virtue is the sole good and is sufficient for happiness". Thanks for sharing, dear Jannik!
Its interesting the idea that family, friends and community are preferred indifferents when the way we get to really hone in on whether or not we are virtuous is often through interactions with these people. It's easy to be virtuous in writing and pondering. It is much harder to really show up in the world as a Stoic when you have to interact with people. Especially, often your family, who know how to push your buttons. I think the trained stoic would find a way to be virtuous and therefore happy, even in solitary confinement, but the ideal stoic would be a person of the world.
I like that you said it is the wisdom in pursuing these things (family, friends, and community) in life that can lead to happiness. Though I would argue that it is also the challenges that come with pursuing these things in life that can be the kindling to ignite virtue.