A summary of stoicism and pragmatism

Written By H. Pike Oliver

Stoicism and pragmatism are philosophical approaches, yet they differ markedly in their principles and focuses[1].

Stoicism:

  • Origin - Founded by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE.

  • Core Beliefs - Stoicism emphasizes virtue, wisdom, and living in accordance with nature. Stoics assert that happiness is achieved by accepting the present moment and relinquishing the desire for control over external events.

  • Focus - Stoicism emphasizes personal ethics, self-discipline, and resilience in the face of adversity. It advises cultivating inner peace and urges individuals to remain indifferent to external circumstances, whether positive or negative.

  • Philosophical Goal - To achieve tranquility of the mind and harmony with the natural order.

Pragmatism:

  • Origin - Developed in the late 19th century in the United States by philosophers such as Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey.

  • Core Beliefs - Pragmatism stresses the practical application of ideas and the consequences of actions. It maintains that a belief's truth is determined by its practical effects and utility.

  • Focus - The emphasis is on problem-solving, experimentation, and the tangible results of beliefs and actions. Pragmatism fosters flexibility, adaptability, and continuous learning.

  • Philosophical Goal - To enhance human experience and address real-world problems through practical means and empirical methods.

In summary, Stoicism focuses on personal virtue and inner peace, whereas pragmatism emphasizes practical outcomes and problem-solving. Both philosophies offer valuable insights but approach life and its challenges differently but in a somewhat complimentary fashion.

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[1] Drafted by Copilot (Microsoft's AI bot) and lightly edited by H. Pike Oliver on February 10, 2025.

H. Pike Oliver

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, H. Pike Oliver has worked on real estate development strategies and master-planned communities since the early 1970s, including nearly eight years at the Irvine Company. He resided in the City of Irvine for five years in the 1980s and nine years in the 1990s.

As the founder and sole proprietor of URBANEXUS, Oliver works on advancing equitable and sustainable real estate development and natural lands management. He is also an affiliate instructor at the Runstad Department of Real Estate at the University of Washington.

Early in his career, Oliver worked for public agencies, including the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research where he was a principal contributor to An Urban Strategy for California. Prior to relocating to Seattle in 2013, Oliver taught real estate development at Cornell University and directed the undergraduate program in urban and regional studies. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the American Planning Association and a founder and emeritus member of the California Planning Roundtable.

Oliver is a graduate of the urban studies and planning program at San Francisco State University and earned a master’s degree in urban planning at UCLA.

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