2).
The Stoic vision of destiny is as a natural organization of the cosmos (White, Pg.8), which is also referred to as Reason and Logos. People are there to be acted upon by the universal plan, this plan, our destiny, is already laid out for every individual, it is not determined by us but rather already set and nothing can be done to change it. This view that the universe is determined by God(s) leads to an understanding that the things that happen are predetermined and unavoidable (White, Pg.21). Thus, it makes little sense to try to avoid the inevitable, as nothing could have been done to make the event have occurred differently (White, Pg.3). For example nothing in the past, like exercise or eating better, could have had a chance of not acquiring a disease. The Stoic learns to accept their situation and live according to nature, accepting what happens to them and not trying to change their fate (White, Pg.12). Therefore if it was meant to have a life threatening disease followed with pain there was nothing that could be done about it. Complaining and dwelling on it would be futile as it would not change anything, therefore instead of stressing over it and having mental anguish one should just accept the event and none of what is happening shall have an affect. One should adjust their desires and their attitudes towards them in certain ways, which seem largely to be ways of setting their sights lower, not expecting to have certain desires satisfied, and living with the idea that such desires were not worth satisfying anyways (White, Pg.8) For, if you come to terms with the event and go on from there you can live, with whatever is left of your life, peacefully and pleasurably.
Stoics saw that throughout life choices must be made, there where right ones and wrong ones. Rights decisions where those that where made with integrity and wrong ones were those that were driven by desire and emotions.
The Illusion of Utopia Matthew E. Hudson April 20, 2002 INTRODUCTION Since the beginning of history, man has tried to devise a perfect political system. Plato designed a utopian Republic, while Karl Marx radically changed the face of the earth by offering up a secular state that is supp...