Richard Seidl
“AI does the work. We humans have to decide. Much more often now!” - Richard Seidl
Artificial intelligence has already taken over or assisted us in many aspects of our everyday lives. It sorts emails, recommends music and potential partners, revises our websites, writes and revises program code, recognizes patterns,…. But there is one thing we are still left to do: Making decisions. And that, paradoxically, is more stressful today than ever before.
Energy guzzler
Brain activities require a lot of energy. At least most of them do. That’s why clever evolution has always made sure that energy-saving mechanisms are built in everywhere and that our brain is in idle mode. A classic example: driving a car. You don’t have to think much anymore, it runs through and you can use some of the energy gained to swear at the other drivers or the red light or both.
Variety
In addition, our pursuit of freedom, globalization and individualization means that we have an overabundance of decision-making options. It’s no longer just black and white. No, there are now also shades of gray and colors. And everywhere. Thousands of cell phone models to choose from, millions of apps (have you chosen the right task management or notes app yet? There’s always a better one ;-)), a full closet, a fragmented party landscape. We spend more time on Netflix with the selection process of a film than with the film itself (even though - or precisely because - the AI is already offering us personalized trailers). The AI world is also a good example. Today I use ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude…or a local LLM. Oh look, there’s a new model, not bad either. Which one do I choose now?
Consequences
It is also almost impossible today to keep track of the consequences of our decisions. Because we never know what impact the choice will have. And in the long term, we certainly can’t estimate it. Everything happens far too quickly and is far too interdependent. Who is supposed to be able to make the “right” decision?
AI pushes the turbo
There are great ways to recover from the agony of decision-making: gardening, for example, or staying indoors: Tidying up your desktop, sorting through emails, pondering a blog text,…
But this is where the new world comes in. Texts are automatically summarized. Files are sorted away by magic, emails are prepared and the robotic lawnmower does its rounds outside. All that remains for us is to sift through the results and… decide. In one piece: decision, decision, decision. Phew…. exhausting, isn’t it? How can we deal with it?
Stoicism
I have been following the ideas and philosophy of Stoicism for years, sometimes more, sometimes less intensively. This collection of principles, virtues and thoughts goes back to great thinkers such as Zeno of Cition, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius and I think it is more relevant today than ever. Details go too far here, but the 3 most important Stoic principles can be applied very well to “making decisions”:
- Controllable vs. uncontrollable things: focus on your own actions and letting go of externalities
- Application of the virtues: Wisdom, courage, moderation, justice
- Acceptance: sense of responsibility, serenity, willingness to learn
This always helps me to take a step back from the madness of decision-making and gain more clarity and focus in my decisions.
Frequently asked questions about Stoicism and the Stoics
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How is stoicism defined?
Stoicism is an ancient philosophical doctrine that was developed in ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasizes the importance of reason, virtue and serenity in order to lead a fulfilled life. Stoicism teaches that people should control their emotions and focus on what is within their power, while accepting external circumstances that they cannot influence.
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What is stoicism?
Stoicism is a philosophy that teaches how to lead a virtuous and contented life by focusing on what is within one’s control. It originated in Ancient Greece and was later developed further by Roman thinkers. The core principles are reason, self-discipline and acceptance of the unchangeable.
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How can stoicism be easily explained?
Stoicism means focusing on what you can influence and accepting everything else with composure. It is about taking control of your own thoughts and emotions, acting virtuously and seeing negative external circumstances not as a hindrance but as learning opportunities.
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How can you learn stoicism?
Stoicism can be learned through the study of classical texts, self-reflection and the application of its principles in everyday life. Important steps include internalizing stoic virtues such as wisdom and serenity as well as regular exercises such as questioning one’s own reactions and consciously practicing gratitude and acceptance.
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What does stoicism mean today?
Today, Stoicism is often used as a philosophy of life to meet the challenges of modern life. Its principles help to develop resilience, emotional intelligence and clarity of thought. Especially in stressful or uncontrollable situations, stoicism offers tools to find serenity and a sense of purpose.
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What is the criticism of stoicism?
Critics accuse Stoicism of suppressing emotions and promoting a detached attitude towards life. Some see it as too individualistic, as it places less emphasis on social and political change. Furthermore, the acceptance of the unchangeable could lead to passivity or fatalism instead of actively seeking solutions.
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What books are available on Stoicism?
The classic works of Stoicism include “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius, “Letters to Lucilius” by Seneca and “Manual of Morals” by Epictetus. Modern interpretations such as “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday and “How to Be a Stoic” by Massimo Pigliucci offer insights into how to apply Stoic principles in everyday life.
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What does Marcus Aurelius have to do with Stoicism?
Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and philosopher, is considered one of the most important representatives of Stoicism. His “Meditations” are a personal diary in which he reflects on virtue, responsibility and the acceptance of fate. They offer insights into Stoic thinking and are still an important source for philosophy today.
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Was Seneca a Stoic?
Yes, Seneca was a prominent representative of Stoicism and advised the Roman emperor Nero as a philosopher. His writings, including the “Letters to Lucilius” and “On the Brevity of Life”, impart practical wisdom and emphasize the importance of virtue, self-control and serenity in order to lead a fulfilled life.
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Who are the most important Stoics?
The most important Stoics are Zeno of Kition, the founder of the school, Epictetus, a former slave and teacher, Seneca, a Roman politician and writer, and Marcus Aurelius, the emperor-philosopher. Their works and teachings continue to shape the understanding and practice of Stoicism worldwide to this day.