@@> On Apr-20-98 Day Brown wrote to David Martorana on
 @@> "Achievable Ethics" ---"Stoicism"
 
 DM>> ................................. Large segments of "nature's
 DM>> children"  have need of emotionally warm anchors (not exactly
 DM>> overflowing from stoicism).
 
 DB> I think that's a misunderstanding of the Stoic philosophers Dave.
 DB> They warned that parentage was a considerable responsibility, and
 DB> that most folks were not up to doing a good job.  None of this be
 DB> fruitful and multiply crap.  They were not interested in having a
 DB> lot more citizens, but having a lot better ones.
 
 DB> They actually were *not* unemotional; rather, they were aware
 DB> the emotions affect thinking, and to be cognizant of that, and
 DB> to act in the right way regardless; a child needs a warm anchor,
 DB> and the Stoic parent would be expected to provide it.  Anger and
 DB> love are both teaching tools, and both were to be employed.
 
 DB> They advised staying out of politics; success brings sychophancy,
 DB> and failure brings frustration.  When in enemy hands, one is told
 DB> to not try to withstand torture, but tell them whatever you think
 DB> it is they want to hear at once.  Having a reputation for this is
 DB> a good way to prevent torture in the first place.  Stoic?
 
     Most appreciate the clarifications ...........but additionally
     do wonder how large populations of our world (not being "stoic
     oriented") could be so convinced of its merits.      Along our
     eclectic historical experience, "stoicism" does not seem to have
     grown from its own value base (not an overly popular goal of
     civilization). How would such "a way of being" be presented?
     ......and by whom?  Aside from you, I see very little mention
     and no enthusiasm. One might explore the impression that only
     very small specific groupings or individuals, prepared for such
     a disciplined style of thought, could be happy and successful
     within such a "way" of being. Also! you do not elaborate on how
     you came to trust Stoicism to being any more than another way
     to be i.e. How might one conclude that Stoicism can produce
     a better person? For example, looking back through time, it
     appears that the Stoic sense of dicipline could be associated
     across a range of schooled military leaders capable of ordering
     death during the day and reading philosophy at night (Aurelian
     types).  I guess the question before the question is how do we
     MEASURE the quality of being human. So many are ahead of me in
     this opinion dominated department.......
 
                            @@ ... Dave
 
 
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