Asceticism
- “what does ascetic mean”
- “why do philosophers practise asceticism”
- “nietzsche on the ascetic ideal”
- “is asceticism self punishment”
01 · Side by side
Side by side
Comparison sheet
| Aspect | Asceticism | Stoicism |
|---|---|---|
| The object is | Given up, often as training | Indifferent |
| Wealth is | Renounced | Permitted |
| Trains | The appetite | The judgement |
| Shares | askēsis | askēsis |
02 · Which one you meant
Which one did you mean?
In shortReaders who land here meaning Asceticism rather than Stoicism are usually searching for phrases like “what does ascetic mean”, “why do philosophers practise asceticism”, “nietzsche on the ascetic ideal”.
Stoicism
- “a philosophy about staying calm and focusing on what you can control”
- “how to not let things outside my control upset me”
- “the ancient philosophy the emperor Marcus Aurelius practised”
- “finding peace by accepting what I can't change”
03 · Which came first
Which came first
In shortStoicism. c. 300 BCE — Zeno of Citium teaches on the painted porch (stoa) in Athens.
- c. 300 BCE
Stoicism. Zeno of Citium teaches on the painted porch (stoa) in Athens.
- 1818/1819
Asceticism. Schopenhauer presents asceticism — voluntary poverty and chastity — as the highest achievement, the denial of the will-to-live.
04 · Read either one