You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Stoicism’ tag.
Canada finds itself at a crossroads. In recent years, per capita GDP growth has stalled, productivity remains sluggish, and housing, healthcare, and infrastructure face mounting pressure. These trends have prompted urgent debate about the causes of stagnation, ranging from global economic shifts and demographic aging to domestic policy decisions. Among commentators, JD Vance recently sparked attention with pointed critiques of Canada’s immigration policies and multicultural model, framing them as principal contributors to declining living standards. Beyond the immediate provocation, his intervention highlights a deeper question: how should Canadians assess responsibility for the state of their economy?
Immigration, Policy Choices, and Economic Outcomes
Canada’s foreign-born population now stands at approximately 23 percent, the highest in the G7, reflecting a sharp rise over the past decade. This increase was accelerated by post-pandemic labor shortages and policy decisions prioritizing high-volume admissions. While immigration is a crucial driver of population growth and labor supply, recent evidence indicates that integration has lagged, particularly for newcomers with credentials or skills mismatched to domestic demand. Unemployment rates among recent immigrants are approximately twice those of Canadian-born workers, and overall productivity growth has remained below historical trends.
These outcomes underscore a key point: while external factors including global commodity cycles, trade dynamics, and U.S. policy affect Canada’s economy, domestic decisions regarding immigration volume, infrastructure investment, and skills integration exert primary influence over living standards. The choice to expand immigration without simultaneously scaling capacity for integration, housing, and healthcare has consequences that voters ultimately authorize at the ballot box.
Stoic Lessons for Civic Responsibility
Confronted with these structural and policy realities, Canadians might feel tempted to externalize blame to markets, foreign governments, or pundits. Here, the Stoic philosophers offer timeless guidance. Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations: “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Epictetus similarly asserted: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” These principles demand that citizens distinguish between factors within their control and those beyond it, focusing energy on the former.
Stoicism is not a creed of passivity. It insists on rigorous self-examination and deliberate action. In Canada’s context, this means acknowledging the consequences of policy choices and recognizing that solutions—whether adjusting immigration strategy, improving integration programs, or investing in productivity-enhancing infrastructure—lie within domestic capacity.
Pathways to Renewal
Practical measures aligned with these principles include:
- Aligning immigration targets with absorptive capacity: Recent adjustments to temporary resident admissions, reducing projected numbers by approximately 43 percent, illustrate the potential for recalibration.
- Prioritizing skill-aligned integration: Investing in credential recognition, language training, and targeted labor placement can ensure that new arrivals contribute effectively to productivity.
- Strengthening domestic infrastructure and services: Housing, healthcare, and transportation require proportional investment to match demographic growth.
- Informed civic engagement: Voting with awareness of policy consequences is fundamental to maintaining democratic accountability and ensuring long-term economic stability.
By taking responsibility, Canadians act in accordance with Stoic precepts: focusing on what they can control rather than scapegoating external forces. The challenge is not merely economic—it is moral and civic. Prosperity depends as much on deliberate collective action as on external circumstance.
Conclusion
Canada’s stagnating living standards are the product of complex factors, yet domestic choices remain decisive. While commentary from external observers like JD Vance may provoke discomfort, the underlying lesson is clear: sovereignty entails responsibility, and agency begins at home. To confront stagnation, Canadians must embrace candid assessment of policy outcomes, deliberate reform, and disciplined civic engagement. In the words of Seneca: “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” Facing the realities we have constructed—and acting to improve them—is the first step toward renewal.
References
- Statistics Canada. Labour Force Survey, 2025. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/type/data
- Government of Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/annual-report-parliament-immigration.html
- Marcus Aurelius. Meditations. Trans. Gregory Hays, 2002.
- Epictetus. Enchiridion. Trans. Elizabeth Carter, 1758.
- Seneca. Letters from a Stoic. Trans. Robin Campbell, 2004.
Glossary
- Per Capita GDP: The average economic output per person, often used as a measure of living standards.
- Productivity: Output per unit of input; a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
- Integration Programs: Policies and services designed to help immigrants participate effectively in the labor market and society.
- Absorptive Capacity: The ability of a system (economy, infrastructure, institutions) to accommodate growth without adverse effects.
- Stoicism: Philosophical framework emphasizing rational control over one’s mind and actions rather than external circumstances.
In a culture that mistakes comfort for flourishing and validation for character, Stoicism returns us to a harder and older truth: the sole good is virtue. Everything else—wealth, health, reputation, even life itself—is ultimately indifferent.
The Stoics inherited from Socrates and Plato the four cardinal virtues and declared them jointly sufficient for eudaimonia (the Greek term for the only life genuinely worth living). They are:
1. Wisdom (phronēsis)
The knowledge of what is truly good, bad, and neither.
Wisdom is not cleverness or data accumulation—it is the steady ability to judge correctly in concrete circumstances. Without wisdom, every other virtue collapses into blind habit, impulsiveness, or self-deception.
2. Courage (andreia)
Not the absence of fear but the disciplined refusal to let fear govern action.
Stoic courage shows itself in the quiet endurance of chronic pain, in speaking truth to power, in confronting injustice, and in facing death without hysteria or despair.
3. Justice (dikaiosynē)
The social virtue par excellence: giving every person what is owed—including those we dislike.
Justice expresses itself as honesty, fairness, kindness, and civic responsibility. A life without justice is predatory even when outwardly respectable.
4. Temperance (sōphrosynē)
Mastery of appetite and impulse.
Temperance is the power to say “this is enough” when desire—whether for food, sex, status, stimulation, or outrage—demands more. Without temperance, genuine freedom is impossible.
Why These Four Alone Matter
The Stoics argued, and lived, a radical proposition: virtue is both necessary and sufficient for the good life. External goods can be stripped away in an afternoon—Zeno’s fortune confiscated in Cyprus, Seneca and Epictetus exiled by Rome, Marcus Aurelius’s children taken by disease—yet none of these losses corrupted their character.
Their serenity, dignity, and usefulness endured because their excellence depended on nothing outside their prohairesis, their moral and rational faculty.
In this sense, Stoicism is not ancient self-help but a philosophical engineering of the soul.
Modern Evidence Confirms the Ancient Claim
Long-term psychological research repeatedly finds that the best predictors of life satisfaction, longevity, and emotional stability are not wealth, fame, or intelligence but traits that map directly onto the Stoic virtues:
- Conscientious self-control → temperance
- Warm, dependable relationships → justice
- Resilience under stress → courage
- Reflective, accurate judgment → wisdom
The Grant Study, the Terman cohort, and the Harvard Study of Adult Development all converge on a simple conclusion: character, not circumstance, is the foundation of lasting well-being.
How to Train the Virtues Today
You don’t “add” virtue like a supplement. You train it the way an athlete trains muscle: through deliberate, repeated action under resistance.
Wisdom
- Keep a decision journal.
- Each night ask: “Where did I misjudge good and bad today?”
- Test impressions against reason, not emotion.
Courage
- Practice voluntary discomfort: public speaking, difficult conversations.
- Fear shrinks when approached, not avoided.
Justice
- Use the dichotomy of roles. In every interaction ask: “What does my role as human being, citizen, parent, or colleague require?”
- Then do it, regardless of mood.
Temperance
- Set bright-line rules: no phone in the first hour of the day, one plate of food, no gossip.
- Desire obeys precedent.
Progress in Stoicism is measured not by emotional uplift but by this single question:
“Would I act the same way if no one ever found out and the outcome were guaranteed to be unpleasant?”
Virtue is revealed in what you do when excellence is costly.
Master these four virtues and you will lack nothing essential. Neglect them, and no wealth, therapy, or acclaim will save you from living a hollow life. This is not ancient opinion. It is observable, repeatable fact.
References
- George E. Vaillant, Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study (Harvard University Press, 2012).
- Lewis Terman et al., Genetic Studies of Genius (Stanford University Press, 1925–1959).
- Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness (Simon & Schuster, 2023).
- Julia Annas, The Morality of Happiness (Oxford University Press, 1993) — for classical virtue ethics and Stoic moral psychology.
- A.A. Long, Hellenistic Philosophy (University of California Press, 1986).
- Massimo Pigliucci, How to Be a Stoic (Basic Books, 2017) — modern interpretation and practice.
Glossary of Key Terms
Eudaimonia — A flourishing or fully realized human life; more than happiness, closer to “living excellently.”
Phronēsis — Practical wisdom; the ability to judge rightly.
Andreia — Courage; the discipline of confronting fear and difficulty.
Dikaiosynē — Justice; moral and social responsibility toward others.
Sōphrosynē — Temperance; self-mastery and moderation.
Prohairesis — The rational, moral faculty that governs choice and intention in Stoic psychology.
Indifferents — External conditions (health, wealth, status) that are neither good nor bad in themselves.
The Stoics taught that excess corrupts both the soul and the body politic. Seneca warned that chasing boundless expansion courts ruin — true prosperity lies not in defiance of limits, but in living in accordance with nature’s measure. Marcus Aurelius similarly counseled restraint, urging us to act within the bounds of reason and accept the limits placed upon us. Applied to governance, this means a nation — like an individual — must assess its capacities before inviting more mouths to the table.
Canada’s recent immigration trajectory betrayed this principle. In 2023, the country added more than 1.27 million people — an annual growth rate of roughly 3.2 percent, driven overwhelmingly by international migration. (Statistics Canada) Over just a few years, the population climbed from under 39 million to over 41 million.
For years, permanent-resident targets hovered near 500,000, and temporary resident classes — students, workers, etc. — swelled. By 2025, however, disturbing strains were showing: housing shortages, rent and price inflation, pressure on health services, and signs of wage stress.
These were not speculative risks. Empirical analyses from bodies such as the Bank of Canada and CMHC correlate rapid population inflows with housing-market pressure. Public opinion followed suit. By late 2025, polling indicated that nearly two-thirds of Canadians considered even the then-reduced target for permanent residents (395,000) too high; roughly half held consistently negative views on immigration, not out of xenophobia, but from perceived stress on infrastructure and housing.
Recognizing this, Ottawa has begun to recalibrate. In its 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, released publicly, the government committed to 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, then reducing to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. (Canada) Even more significantly, temporary resident targets dropped: from 673,650 new TRs in 2025 to 516,600 in 2026, with further moderation planned. (Canada)
The demographic effects are already materializing. As of mid-2025, Canada’s estimated population growth slowed to 0.9 percent year-over-year, according to RBC Economics, with non-permanent residents making up a smaller share. (RBC) This slowdown itself validates the Stoic critique of overreach — a moment of reckoning for policy driven by expansion rather than equilibrium.
This retreat is welcome, but it remains reactive. From a Stoic perspective, reactive virtue is still virtue, but prudence demands more: a wisdom that designs policy proactively, not merely corrects after crisis. A Stoic polity would have matched immigration flows to real, measurable capacity long ago — gauging housing pipelines, healthcare strain, wage effects, and social cohesion.
Immigration in moderation enriches: it brings talent, innovation, and human flourishing. But unmoored from institutional capacity, it sows fragility, inequality, and resentment.
Going forward, Canada needs to institutionalize sophrosyne — the classical virtue of temperance and self-mastery. Targets should be set not by political fantasy or corporate lobbying, but by clear metrics: housing completions, per-capita infrastructure strain, healthcare wait-lists, and social stability.
The recent dialing back is a start. But true Stoic governance demands that moderation becomes a structural norm, not just a temporary correction. Only then can the polity live in accord with nature — virtuous, resilient, and enduring.
References
- Government of Canada, 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Permanent resident targets: 395,000 (2025), 380,000 (2026), 365,000 (2027). (Canada)
- Canada.ca, Government of Canada reduces immigration. Temporary resident reductions, projected decline in temporary population by 445,901 in 2025. (Canada)
- RBC Economics, Canada’s population growth slows… — mid-2025 year-over-year growth of 0.9%, share of non-permanent residents falling. (RBC)
- Statistics Canada, Population estimates, Q4 2024. International migration accounted for 98.5% of growth in Q4 2024. (Statistics Canada)
- CIC News, 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan will include new measures… — TR targets for 2026: 385,000 quoted, among other reductions. (CIC News)
- CIBC Thought Leadership, Population-growth projections… — analysis of visa expiry, outflows, and the challenge of non-permanent resident accounting. (cms.thoughtleadership.cibc.com)
Glossary of Key Terms
| Term | Meaning / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Sophrosyne | A classical Greek virtue (especially important to Stoics): moderation, temperance, self-control, and harmony with nature. In this context, it means setting immigration policy in proportion to real capacity. |
| Non-Permanent Resident (NPR) | Individuals in Canada on temporary visas: students, temporary foreign workers, etc. Not permanent residents or citizens. |
| Permanent Resident (PR) | Someone who has been granted permanent residency in Canada: not a citizen yet, but has the right to live and work permanently. |
| Levels Plan / Immigration Levels Plan | The Canadian government’s multi-year plan setting targets for new permanent and temporary immigrant admissions. |
| Absorptive Capacity | The realistic capacity of a country (or region) to accommodate newcomers without undue strain: infrastructure, housing, healthcare, labour market, social services. |
| Reactive Virtue vs. Proactive Wisdom | In Stoic terms: responding wisely after the fact (reactive) is good, but better is anticipating and designing policy with foresight (proactive). |
In the Stoic tradition, Marcus Aurelius reminds us in Meditations that the soul finds balance not by bending the world to its desires, but by living in harmony with the rational order that shapes it. Both essays—The Scales of Society and The Horseshoe’s Convergence—speak powerfully to this truth. When we trade reality for utopian dreams, we don’t advance; we regress. Realism, seen through a Stoic lens, is the practice of knowing what’s within our control—our judgments, our virtues—and what isn’t: the stubborn facts of nature and history. To pursue idealism as if the world must yield to our will is to fight against nature itself. Epictetus would call this a form of slavery to externals—an endless, exhausting battle to remake what cannot be remade. The metaphors of the scale and the curve become lessons in humility, urging us to weigh our convictions not by how righteous they feel, but by how true they are.
The danger of extremes, as both essays show, comes from losing that grounding in reality. The far left and far right don’t meet by coincidence; they curve toward each other under the same gravitational pull of unchecked passion over reason. Stoicism teaches that the will, when misdirected, can turn virtue into vice. The search for purity—whether egalitarian or hierarchical—often becomes self-righteousness, and self-righteousness turns easily into cruelty. Seneca warned that anger devours its host first, and here we see that on a societal scale: politics consumed by outrage, discourse replaced by denunciation, and myth elevated over evidence. The “horseshoe” is more than a metaphor—it’s a mirror reflecting our inner collapse when moral certainty replaces humility. The more we cling to our certitudes, the less we see of truth. In that blindness, we reproduce the very coercion we claim to oppose. Stoicism reminds us that true power is never about conquering others—it’s about mastering our own thoughts and reactions.
Yet the Stoic path is not one of despair but of quiet renewal. We can rebuild the crossbar of realism through daily discipline—by anchoring ourselves in what is, not what we wish would be. As the essays conclude, tolerance doesn’t survive through ideological victory but through shared respect for evidence and for limits. That’s a civic form of amor fati—a love of fate—that turns polarization into friction that sharpens rather than burns. When we learn to accept what’s beyond our control and focus on the integrity of our own actions, the scales find balance again, the horseshoe stays open, and reason’s republic endures. Not by force, and not by fury, but by quiet fidelity to the logos that connects us all.
It is Will that makes the world turn.
Dear Youthful Individual,
I want to share with you something that has profoundly influenced my understanding of life: Stoicism. It’s not just an ancient philosophy; it’s a practical guide for navigating the complexities of modern life, particularly during those turbulent teenage years. At its core, Stoicism teaches us about the art of living well by focusing on what we can control and learning to accept what we cannot. It’s about managing our responses to life’s ups and downs with wisdom, courage, and temperance. Imagine if you could master your emotions rather than letting them master you. This philosophy isn’t about suppressing your feelings but understanding them, so you can respond to life’s challenges with clarity and purpose.
One of the key teachings of Stoicism is the concept of “amor fati” or love of fate. This doesn’t mean you should love everything that happens to you, especially the bad stuff, but rather, it’s about loving the journey, embracing all experiences as opportunities for growth. When you face difficulties, whether it’s a bad grade, a falling out with a friend, or just the everyday pressures of teenage life, Stoicism encourages you to see these not as misfortunes but as chances to learn resilience. Marcus Aurelius, one of the prominent Stoics, often reminded himself to accept the nature of events, focusing on his response rather than the event itself. This mindset can transform how you view your life, turning obstacles into stepping stones.
Lastly, Stoicism advocates for living in harmony with nature, which means living according to reason and virtue. It’s about being honest with yourself, practicing self-discipline, and cultivating a sense of justice in your interactions. In the world of social media and peer pressure, this philosophy offers a grounding force, reminding you to seek internal validation over external approval. By embracing Stoicism, you’re not just preparing for a smooth sail through adolescence; you’re equipping yourself with lifelong tools for happiness and success. Remember, you’re the author of your life’s story, and Stoicism helps you write it with wisdom, integrity, and an unshakeable peace of mind.
With encouragement and belief in your journey,
The Arbourist
I think we all need a plan for organizing how we live life. I’m completely down with Stoicism. Have a Happy New Year Everyone!
The Stoic philosophy, originating from ancient Greece, emphasizes living in accordance with nature and reason. Here are seven key values or principles central to Stoicism:
Wisdom (Sophia): Stoics place a high value on wisdom, which includes understanding the nature of the world, ourselves, and the rational principles governing life. Wisdom helps in making sound judgments and living virtuously.
Courage (Andreia): This involves moral and physical courage to face dangers, difficulties, and uncertainties with fortitude. Stoicism teaches to confront fears and to act despite them, not to be reckless but to be brave in pursuit of what is right.
Justice (Dikaiosyne): Stoics believe in treating everyone with fairness and respect, living in accordance with societal laws and ethical norms. Justice here extends to all human interactions, advocating for equality, honesty, and integrity.
Temperance (Sophrosyne): Also known as self-control or moderation, this value encourages restraint in desires and appetites. It’s about achieving balance in life, avoiding excess, and maintaining discipline over one’s actions.
Acceptance of Fate (Amor Fati): Stoics advocate for loving or at least accepting one’s fate, understanding that some things are beyond our control. This acceptance helps in living without resentment or frustration over what cannot be changed.
Living in Accordance with Nature (Homologia tei Phusei): This principle suggests living in harmony with the natural world and human nature, which includes rational behavior. It’s about recognizing and fulfilling one’s role in the cosmos.
Mindfulness and Reflection (Prosoche): Stoicism encourages constant awareness of one’s thoughts and actions, often through daily reflection or meditation. This mindfulness helps in aligning one’s life with Stoic virtues and in making ongoing improvements to character.
These values guide Stoics towards a life of virtue, which they consider the only true good, and help in achieving inner tranquility (apatheia) and a life of purpose. Remember, Stoicism isn’t just about enduring hardship but about thriving through wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
bleatmop
Mystro
Dead Wild Roses 
Your opinions…