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1. What is Stoicism, and who are its main figures?
Prompts: Identify Zeno of Citium, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. What core aim ties their ideas together?
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2. What does the dichotomy of control mean, and how can it help with everyday stress?
Prompts: Discuss things you can control vs things you cannot. How would this change your reaction to a bad grade or a canceled plan?
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3. How do Stoics view emotions?
Prompts: Do Stoics suppress emotions or transform them into rational action? How could you apply this to a recent frustration?
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4. What is virtue, and why is it central to a good life in Stoicism?
Prompts: Consider virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. Can wealth or popularity substitute for virtue?
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5. What is amor fati (love of fate), and how can you practice it?
Prompts: Think of a challenging event and brainstorm how to frame it as something to embrace or learn from.
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6. How does the idea 'the obstacle is the way' operate in Stoicism?
Prompts: Identify a current obstacle and outline concrete steps to turn it into an opportunity.
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7. How should Stoics approach relationships and social duties?
Prompts: How to act kindly while maintaining inner independence; how to handle conflict while staying virtuous.
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8. What is prohairesis, and why are external events considered indifferent?
Prompts: Reflect on what you consider "good" or "bad" and how choice shapes your character, not the outcome.
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9. What practical Stoic practices can you try (journaling, reflection, negative visualization)?
Prompts: Outline a simple daily routine and a week-long experiment to test Stoic techniques.
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10. How does Stoicism compare with other philosophies or religions you know?
Prompts: Compare key ideas like virtue, control, and happiness. What resonates most with you, and why?