markj
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Post by markj on Jun 25, 2014 13:50:39 GMT -5
William Irvine posted a short piece in his blog about the difference between teachers and mentors. It got me thinking about where Stoics can find mentors today. Are we better off hunting for mentors among the wise in our personal stomping grounds? Is online mentorship a viable option? Is mentorship a good motivation for building face-to-face community among Stoics? Any ideas? |
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JoeC
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Post by JoeC on Jun 25, 2014 17:00:02 GMT -5
Finding a Stoic mentor has been a monumental task for me and finding one in person is, I think, a near impossibility.
Philosophy in general, and Stoicism in particular, has become a dead concept with the rise of global religions. Most people do not follow any one of the particular "old schools" of philosophy as a means of finding happiness anymore. We only have to look at the Facebook communities, this forum and the various Stoic societies to tell that people, in general, aren't really interested in following the philosophical doctrines of Stoa.
So the problem to me, is that there are actually very few, if any, individuals that are qualified to be mentors. Sure there are some good teachers, Keith Seddon in particular comes to mind, but I would be very surprised if any of them had any interest in actually living a stoic lifestyle. Additionally, there are two few questions being asked/debated/answered both within the realm of a philosophical school and from without. I think revitalizing an actual traditional "School of Stoicism" is the only way mentors would start to be recognized. It is very unfortunate because I do think a face-to-face Stoic community would be incredibly beneficial, but I don't see that occurring anytime soon.
I think the best option for us is to find other Stoics that have learned the basic academic concepts and enter into "co-mentor" relationships, rather than mentor/mentee relationships.
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markj
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by markj on Jun 27, 2014 9:21:28 GMT -5
As a Texan, it's tempting to agree with you that religion has completely supplanted philosophy. But there does seem to be a lot more Stoic activity in the last few years. I am maybe too new to have a valid opinion, but I have the feeling that it is going to be a serious movement before too long. Like you, I've been keeping an eye out for mentors. There are a few people that I feel like I can approach if I have a serious question. One, in particular, has put up with a few of my questions already -- I just wish we lived closer to each other so we could meet in person. New Stoa actually assigns a mentor for people that go through the SES course. I have heard that there is a waiting list due to a shortage of mentors. Too many students is a good problem to have, if you as me.  |
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2014 12:30:23 GMT -5
It absolutely is a good problem to have, and I would be pleased if you are correct in the assumption that Stoicism will again be a driving force in the world. It certainly wouldn't be the first revival and given that religions have taken some aspects of Stoicism for their own tenets helps to ensure that our beliefs are not completely foreign to most people.
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markj
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by markj on Jun 27, 2014 13:48:22 GMT -5
... Stoicism will again be a driving force in the world... Heh....maybe I should have qualified my statement a little bit. Stoicism seems to be on its way to being a viable movement -- though I suspect that it will never be more popular than its big sister Humanism. |
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Post by Admin on Jun 27, 2014 13:56:04 GMT -5
Becoming a "driving force" would be more preferable, I think, but point taken.
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