Stoic Philosophy:
Nonreligious Benefits of Fleeing from Fornication: Reasons Not to Have Sex According to Stoicism
Introduction
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the
body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his
own body.
I used to hate that commandment with passion. I wanted sex. I regarded
the Apostle Paul as a party poop.
I had lots of sex with about a hundred women when
I was a teenager and young adult man.
Not surprisingly, I was not a happy man. I had eleven relationships with eleven different
women. They all soured. I am 64 years old
now and am still single. I don’t date. I
never married. I don’t use social media nor
direct messengers to chat.
Guess what, I don’t miss it.
Let us explore some secular writings
and teachings that resonate and buttress the Apostle Paul’s admonition for avoiding
or more importantly, to flee from fornication.
Note here that most of the material found below that I transcribed, copied,
and pasted from the YouTube video, REASONS
NOT TO HAVE S3X according to STOICISM, includes the reasoning
behind the writings or meditations of stoic Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Being a pagan Roman, Marcus Aurelius, like Nero who began
the antichristian pogroms in Ancient Rome, persecuted and killed thousands of Christians
and many were tortured by Romans serving this emperor.
Moreover, one chapter in Fox's Book of Martyrs is devoted to his atrocities against early Christians. Thus, he can hardly have been a disciple of Paul but in this, they probably aligned together.
So, without further ado, let us read what the stoics have to say about the benefits of avoiding sex.
Have you ever wondered how our deepest
passions and desires can influence our inner peace? In this article, we will
delve into a topic often surrounded by taboos and misunderstandings: sex.
However, we won't be providing a manual for
improving your sex life.
Instead, we will explore bold and challenging
philosophical reasons from the perspective of Stoicism for abstaining from sex.
So, let's put our minds in philosophical mode and embark on a thought-provoking journey that challenges our beliefs and actions.
Self-Control
We begin our exploration with a fundamental
aspect of Stoic philosophy—self-control. In a world that often encourages us to
follow our impulses and seek immediate gratification, Stoicism teaches us that
we have the ability to choose and control our actions.
Self-control allows us to align our decisions
with our values and life goals, making us the masters of our impulses and
distractions.
Abstaining from sex can serve as an exercise in self-discipline, helping us understand our desires and exercise control over them, ultimately leading to a more stoic and meaningful life.
Detachment from Ephemeral Pleasures
Stoicism encourages detachment from ephemeral
pleasures, emphasizing that true peace and happiness come from not letting our
emotional well-being depend on things beyond our control.
While enjoying life's pleasures is not
discouraged, Stoicism urges us not to become slaves to them.
By practicing detachment, we free ourselves from the constant pursuit of external gratification, leading to greater mental energy, focus, and alignment with our goals and values.
Focus on Long-Term Goals
Stoic philosophers like Seneca, Epictetus, and
Marcus Aurelius valued long-term goals over immediate gratification.
Instead of getting caught in the cycle of
seeking instant pleasures, focusing on long-term goals provides a sense of
direction and a deeper sense of peace.
By shifting our perspective to consider what's best for us in the future, we can break free from the emotional rollercoaster of fleeting desires.
Strengthen Emotional Relationships
Strengthening emotional relationships is a key
aspect of Stoic philosophy.
Human connections are fundamental to a
fulfilling life, and Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus
stressed the importance of social duty and empathy.
By nurturing meaningful and balanced emotional connections, we can enjoy deeper, more lasting relationships, ensuring that sexual desire doesn't overshadow the beauty of genuine human connection.
Prevent Unwanted Consequences
Stoicism emphasizes living a virtuous life and
practicing prudence. This virtue involves considering the potential future
implications of our actions.
In the context of sex, this means being
responsible for preventing unintended consequences such as sexually transmitted
diseases, complicated relationships, or unwanted pregnancies.
By adopting a more stoic and reflective approach, we make conscious decisions that align with our principles and long-term well-being.
Maintain Mental Clarity
Stoicism promotes maintaining mental clarity,
free of emotional disturbances, a state known as ataraxia.
By approaching sex with a clear and conscious
mindset, we can avoid making hasty decisions that compromise our emotional
well-being and lead us away from our long-term goals.
Mental clarity enables us to make rational decisions that align with our values and desires.
Energy Conservation
Energy conservation is central to living in
accordance with stoic principles. In a world filled with distractions, we must
be mindful of where we invest our energy.
By channeling our energy effectively into
actions and goals that truly matter, we can avoid dissipating it on instant
gratification.
Conservation of energy ensures we invest in pursuits that align with our authentic selves and long-term aspirations.
Avoid Emotional Dependency
Emotional dependency is a topic often
overlooked but vital to a stoic approach to life.
Stoicism encourages emotional
self-sufficiency, reminding us that we should not let our inner peace depend on
others or external factors, including sex.
Developing a strong relationship with oneself is essential to avoid becoming emotionally dependent on fleeting pleasures or validation from others.
Improve Self-Esteem
Improving self-esteem is a continuous process
rooted in self-awareness and self-improvement. Stoicism teaches us that sex or
other ephemeral pleasures cannot serve as sustainable solutions to boost our
self-esteem.
True self-esteem comes from understanding our strengths and weaknesses, living by virtues, and recognizing that our value is not defined by passing experiences but by our virtuous character.
Respect Personal Values and Principles
Stoicism places a strong emphasis on living in
accordance with nature, which includes adhering to a set of values and
principles.
It's essential to respect your own values and principles, making decisions that align with them even when faced with external pressure. By doing so, you not only maintain your integrity but also invite respect from others.
Conclusion
In our exploration of Stoic philosophy and its
influence on decisions about sexual abstinence, we've uncovered a path to a
more conscious, authentic, and meaningful life.
Stoicism doesn't aim to limit us but to free
us from irrational impulses and societal expectations. Each conscious choice
made based on sound principles brings us closer to a life where happiness is
not fleeting but a sustained state of well-being and meaning.
Remember, you are the architect of your life,
and the decisions you make shape your journey toward self-knowledge and
self-realization.
References
KJV 1 Corinthians 6:18
Stoic Spirit. (2023, September 25). REASONS NOT TO HAVE SEX ACCORDING TO STOICISM [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmA-Ro5bOik
