
The article examines how Stoic philosophy addresses modern insults, microaggressions, and political correctness, drawing on William Irvine’s book and Eric O. Scott’s critique. It contrasts the Stoic recommendation to “shrug off” insults with contemporary therapeutic tools such as cognitive distancing and exposure therapy. The author highlights Epictetus’s call for outward empathy while maintaining inner detachment, and argues that Stoicism offers a nuanced balance between acceptance and social justice. The piece also questions the efficacy of trigger warnings in academic settings.

Stoic thinker Donald J. Robertson warns against impulsively chasing pleasures, urging a deliberate pause before acting on desire. He advises weighing the fleeting joy against future regret and recognizing the personal victory in restraint. The commentary highlights this as a...