Question: Is the desire for the benefits of stoicism at odds with stoicism? Because I view stoicism as a means to an end--that end being a peaceful and fulfilled inner life. But wanting a peaceful and fulfilled inner life seems to violate the stoic creed of not wanting for things, or otherwise living a life free of desire. (I imagine this paradox has parallels in a buddhist context.) I think Seneca would say that you should desire the benefits of stoicism. Adopting a viewpoint is something that is internal to you. That's exactly the realm in which you should desire and set stock by according to the Stoics: qualities that are assigned to you by yourself, through your own faculties of reason, and not by fortune.
This is helpful. I feel less selfish in pursuing stoicism now.Adopting a viewpoint is something that is internal to you. That's exactly the realm in which you should desire and set stock by according to the Stoics: qualities that are assigned to you by yourself, through your own faculties of reason, and not by fortune.