Jannik: In my opinion, one of the most interesting sources for stoicism is the account preserved in Stobaeus' "Anthology". It is probably based on writings by Arius Didymus - who was a Stoic philosopher at the court of Augustus. At 2.9a it says:
"wish is a rational striving. Wanting is a voluntary wish".
On the basis of that quote how would you describe the difference between wanting something and wishing for something in Stoicism?
ChatGPT 4.0: The quote from Stobaeus' "Anthology" you've mentioned offers a fascinating glimpse into Stoic philosophy's nuanced understanding of human desires. In Stoicism, the distinction between "wishing" and "wanting" seems to hinge on the concepts of rationality and voluntariness.
Here's a breakdown of the concepts based on the quote:
- Wish: Defined as a rational striving, it implies that wishing for something is a reasoned or thoughtful desire. It suggests that when one wishes for something, this desire is aligned with reason and, perhaps, with the Stoic principle of living in accordance with nature and virtue. A wish, in this context, might be seen as a desire for things that are considered good or beneficial from the perspective of Stoic ethics, which emphasizes wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
- Wanting: Described as a voluntary wish, this suggests that wanting something is a matter of personal choice or decision. The emphasis on voluntariness indicates a level of control or agency in the act of wanting. This can be interpreted to mean that while wishes are rational and may align with Stoic virtues, wanting signifies the individual's active decision to pursue those wishes, acknowledging the role of personal will in converting rational desires into actions or intentions.
In summary, the difference between wanting and wishing, according to this Stoic perspective, can be understood as follows:
- Wishing is about having desires that are reasoned or in harmony with Stoic virtues—it's about what one finds rationally desirable or good.
- Wanting, on the other hand, is about actively choosing to pursue those rational desires, emphasizing the role of personal agency and decision-making in the pursuit of what one has reasoned to be good or desirable.
This distinction reflects the Stoic emphasis on living according to reason and virtue, where not just any desire is deemed worthy of pursuit, but only those that are aligned with rational understanding of what is truly good.
Jannik: So, today I wanted to talk to you because I had a wish to understand this aspect of Stoicism?
ChatGPT: That's a thoughtful way to frame your inquiry! Yes, based on the Stoic distinction discussed, your approach to wanting to discuss and understand this aspect of Stoicism can be seen as follows:
- Wish: Your desire to understand this aspect of Stoicism is driven by a rational motivation to gain wisdom or insight. This aligns well with the Stoic value of pursuing knowledge and understanding, particularly in the context of philosophy and ethical living. Your wish reflects a reasoned or thoughtful desire to explore ideas that can potentially enrich your understanding of life and its virtues.
- Wanting: By taking the step to engage in this conversation, you've actively chosen to pursue that rational desire for understanding. This choice reflects the voluntary aspect of wanting, where you've exercised your agency to seek out information and discussion that you believe will be beneficial or enlightening.
In this case, your wish to understand a philosophical concept motivated you to act (wanting) by initiating a conversation. This process beautifully illustrates how a rational desire (wish) can lead to a voluntary action (wanting) in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, which is very much in line with Stoic principles.
David Goggings on wishing vs hoping 😎
https://youtube.com/shorts/5fkhdbG6-wo?si=GdK91jNMvC-TdQ5Z