Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays)

This is an essay rather than a book, but it is a gem in terms of testing Stoicism in a real-life hardship situation. There are moral and political elements of the times best ignored, but from the standpoint of an individual facing severe externals outside one's control, including the actions of others and one's own body, the application of Epictetus' doctrine appears to have worked rather well for Stockdale. I am relieved that I do not have to endure Stockdale's experience to test Stoicism, but I am grateful that he wrote this essay so that I may learn from his experiences. I can relate to his "slow movin' cagey prisoner" tactic and the explanation of "Stoic Harm": (Epictetus:) "Look not for any greater harm than this: destroying the show more trustworthy, self-respecting well-behaved man within you". The note passed in the North Vietnamese prison was a fitting conclusion, quoting Ernest Henley's Invictus: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul". The essence of the essay is summed up neatly by Stockdale: "If Epictetus' lecture room was a hospital, my prison was a laboratory". A useful book for those interested in practising Stoic philosophy. show less

Very good, very eye opening, very important to see truth and their implementations and impact it has on the psyche of men.