Great Thinkers

What does it mean to live a good life? The great minds of history have pondered this question, leaving behind wisdom that still speaks to us today.

1. Embracing Stoicism to Tackle Anxiety

Stoicism, a philosophy originating from Ancient Greece and Rome, is a guide on navigating life’s uncertainties calmly. Stoics like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius believed that virtue is the only true source of happiness. This mindset helps let go of emotional turbulence caused by life’s ups and downs.

The Stoics taught two primary reasons for anxiety: fearing misfortune or holding out high hopes. Modern life mirrors this well. Consider the fear of failing an interview while simultaneously hoping it could land you your dream job. Stoicism offers an unconventional solution: embrace your fears. By confronting worst-case scenarios—like spending a night facing discomfort—you weaken their hold over you.

Additionally, Stoicism emphasizes living with serenity by acknowledging fate. Believing in Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck, Stoics understood that life’s outcomes were often out of one’s control. This allows one to stop self-blame for failures or arrogance during success.

Examples

• Embrace failure by stepping outside your comfort zone.
• Reflect on uncontrollable outcomes without self-judgment.
• Practice small doses of discomfort to reduce fear.

2. Science and Faith Can Coexist, Lessons from Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas, a medieval thinker, insisted that science and faith were not opposites but complementary forces. Despite being a theologist and saint, Aquinas respected reason, suggesting it coexisted with faith to explain the world.

Aquinas divided knowledge into natural law, accessible through reason, and eternal law, grasped through faith. This pairing remains insightful today, as we often dismiss non-scientific viewpoints, forgetting the value of personal reflection and philosophical reasoning.

Aquinas's inclusivity extended to learning from non-Christians at a time when Christianity dominated. His approach reminds the modern world to maintain openness and humility, blending diverse avenues of thought for a deeper understanding.

Examples

• Combine scientific evidence with ethical reflections for balanced decision-making.
• Support diverse methodologies in problem-solving.
• Recognize individual beliefs alongside empirical data.

3. The Balance of Job Specialization and Purpose, by Adam Smith

Adam Smith’s exploration of job specialization in the 18th century is still accurate today. Specialized roles make economies efficient but often leave workers disconnected from the bigger picture.

Smith observed that countries with specialized workers gained wealth but many workers felt like mere cogs in a machine. Today, many employees lack meaning in their work, struggling to understand how their tasks contribute to larger goals. This disconnect breeds dissatisfaction and aimlessness.

Smith suggests managers close this gap by helping workers see the value in their contributions. Furthermore, Smith believed wealth should circulate into programs supporting the disadvantaged, transforming capitalism into a tool for widespread good.

Examples

• Encourage workplace transparency about individual impact.
• Redirect profits into community gains, like healthcare or education.
• Support roles that directly enrich societal growth or mental wellness.

4. Lao Tzu's Philosophy of "Going with the Flow"

Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, author of the Tao Te Ching, recognized life’s harmony beneath its chaotic surface. He taught the idea of Tao, “the way,” which emphasizes adapting naturally to life’s pace.

Lao Tzu advised quieting the mind to simplify life's complexities. You can find clarity by stepping away from busy schedules to observe the world thoughtfully. For example, spending time in nature can provide perspective unavailable amidst daily stress.

He also emphasized respecting life’s natural timing instead of forcing change. Whether grieving a loved one or learning a skill, rushing often leads to frustration. By observing rhythms in nature, you can rediscover patience and balance.

Examples

• Meditate outdoors or observe a quiet sunrise to reflect.
• Let natural processes unfold, like allowing relationships to grow over time.
• Avoid over-scheduling to make room for meaningful moments.

5. Margaret Mead's Revelations on Sexuality and Gender

Margaret Mead, a cultural anthropologist, highlighted the profound effects of societal norms on personal development. Her study, Coming of Age in Samoa, revealed how Western views on sexuality often create unnecessary stress.

Samoan teenagers Mead observed felt comfortable discussing and exploring sexual matters without shame. This starkly contrasts with the anxiety-ridden approaches found in Western culture. She identified cultural conditioning as the culprit, not biology.

Mead also studied tribes in Papua New Guinea, observing how gender roles varied by culture. Traits assigned to men or women in one tribe might be reversed in another. This taught that societal contexts, not innate traits, shape gender roles and expectations.

Examples

• Challenge cultural stigmas by creating open, judgment-free conversations.
• Teach adolescents healthy, shame-free approaches to sexual understanding.
• Embrace adaptability in defining gender expectations.

6. Freud's Ideas on Pleasure and Subconscious Desires

Freud pioneered the idea of the pleasure principle: humans seek pleasure and avoid pain. Children are entirely driven by this principle, but societal rules later repress these tendencies, often leading to neuroses.

Freud showed how unaddressed desires like jealousy or guilt could manifest in unexpected ways. For example, repressed attraction might turn into obsessive jealousy. Consciously addressing uncomfortable emotions reduces this strain.

He also emphasized the lasting impact of childhood experiences on personality. Certain patterns formed in early life—like seeking comfort or a tendency to rebel—directly shape adult behaviors. Understanding these phases opens paths toward personal growth.

Examples

• Explore repressed feelings in safe environments to avoid destructive outcomes.
• Reflect on childhood lessons to identify sources of specific behaviors.
• Address emotional needs rather than forcing conformity.

7. Building Vibrant Cities, the Vision of Jane Jacobs

Urban thinker Jane Jacobs saw cities as ecosystems, requiring varied activity to thrive. Instead of isolated skyscrapers, Jacobs argued for neighborhoods with overlapping residential, work, and playspaces.

She championed dense, dynamic communities where people interacted, shared ideas, and kept mutual watch for safety. Isolation, she warned, leads to loneliness and loss of social bonds.

Jacobs’s ideas hold even more relevance today with urbanization skyrocketing. A lively street filled with shops, homes, and theaters fosters connection and spontaneity, things technological alternatives like online communication cannot replicate.

Examples

• Design neighborhoods blending workspaces, parks, and living zones.
• Encourage foot traffic and local gatherings to build interactions.
• Avoid sprawling developments that separate communities.

8. Jane Austen's View of Relationships as Growth Opportunities

For Jane Austen, love was a chance to help partners improve each other. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy initially dislike each other but grow through patience and shared lessons.

Austen portrayed relationships as active learning experiences. Darcy shed arrogance, and Elizabeth gained a broader outlook. Austen believed such growth is central to love, rejecting passive acceptance of flaws.

Differently, in Mansfield Park, Austen critiqued shallow judgments based on wealth. Protagonist Fanny Price, virtuous yet humble, is overlooked by materialistic relatives who miss deeper qualities.

Examples

• Find relationships that encourage mutual improvement.
• Resist narrowing judgments to external factors like wealth.
• Seek mentors or partners who provide constructive feedback.

9. Perspective Through the Cosmos, an Eternal Lesson

One universal teaching of the Stoics is humility gained from observing the stars. Marveling at the universe reminds us how small our individual concerns are in the larger scheme.

This perspective can bring comfort during troubling times. For instance, when work becomes overwhelming, pause to notice nature’s expanse, like a sunset or the night sky.

Seeing life this way doesn’t reduce its importance but highlights the potential for gratitude and tranquility—qualities the Stoics considered keys to a fulfilled life.

Examples

• Use stargazing as a tool for reflection and clarity.
• Practice gratitude for life’s simple joys.
• Share this perspective with others during moments of worry.

Takeaways

1. Confront your fears by practicing small challenges; discomfort reduces intimidation.
2. Create space for reflection—whether stargazing or journaling—to gain perspective on daily stress.
3. Embrace lifelong learning in relationships; see how personal growth can strengthen love.