The Domestication of Emotions
Taleb describes Stoicism as training the emotions: turning fear into prudence, pain into information, mistakes into initiation, and desire into action.
THE IDEA
The Domestication of Emotions
Seen this way, Stoicism is about the domestication, not necessarily the elimination, of emotions. It is not about turning humans into vegetables. My idea of the modern Stoic sage is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into information, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.
Seneca proposes a complete training program to handle life and use emotions properly—thanks to small but effective tricks. One trick, for instance, that a Roman Stoic would use to separate anger from rightful action and avoid committing harm he would regret later would be to wait at least a day before beating up a servant who committed a violation. We moderns might not see this as particularly righteous, but just compare it to the otherwise thoughtful Emperor Hadrian’s act of stabbing a slave in the eye during an episode of uncontrolled anger. When Hadrian’s anger abated, and he felt the grip of remorse, the damage was irreversible.
Seneca also provides us a catalogue of social deeds: invest in good actions. Things can be taken away from us—not good deeds and acts of virtue.
When to use it
When feeling angry at a colleague, pause before responding to avoid saying something you'll regret.
Use the Stoic transformation to turn anxiety about a presentation into prudence by preparing thoroughly.
Reflect on past mistakes as initiation to improve rather than dwelling in guilt.
Practice investment in acts of virtue, such as helping a stranger, which cannot be taken from you.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Seneca's Trick for Managing Anger
In Taleb’s account, Seneca recommends delaying punishment of a servant to prevent acting in anger. The historical example illustrates delay before an irreversible act; it does not justify the punishment.
Emperor Hadrian's Uncontrolled Anger
Taleb recounts Emperor Hadrian stabbing a slave in the eye during an episode of anger and later feeling remorse. The story illustrates regret after irreversible harm.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you transform fear into prudence in your own life?
Think of a time when waiting a day before reacting could have prevented regret.
What good deeds have you invested in that cannot be taken away from you?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Antifragile (Nassim Nicholas Taleb)