Apatheia
Apatheia is the Stoic condition of no longer being ruled by destructive passions — not the condition of feeling nothing.
Full definition of Apatheia →:: COMPARE ::
ApatheiavsApathy
The short answer
False friends, and the confusion has done real damage to how Stoicism is understood. Apathy is not caring about outcomes. Apatheia is caring about the right things and no longer being hijacked by the wrong impulses. The philosophical term and the colloquial English one should be kept firmly distinct.
Side by side
| Aspect | Apatheia | Apathy |
|---|---|---|
| Caring | Yes | No |
| Located in | Judgement | Motivation |
| Feelings remain | Yes — eupatheiai | Flattened |
| Achieved by | Correct assent | Nothing |
What each one means
Apathy
The contrast above sets out how Apathy differs from Apatheia on the points that actually matter.