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To Live a Virtuous Life

In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I chatted with Tanner Campbell (Listen Here) and explored Stoicism. I shared with Tanner during the episode what appealed to me about Stoicism, particularly during a phase of my life when I was living hedonistically. This was related to discipline and our choices, especially regarding our perspective on what others are doing. While temperance is one of the virtues, alongside justice, courage, and wisdom, I found that discipline was the one that allowed me to be most accountable for myself. If we can focus on ourselves, we can have justice towards others and courage to do the right things, which through experience builds wisdom. Tanner and I also discussed the dark side of pursuing virtue, which can result in "virtue-signalling." Again, remaining accountable and disciplined allows one to keep oneself in check.

How does one then live a virtuous life in social media, where succumbing to the need to seek external validation is so easy? That is a question I ask myself constantly. Remaining accountable to oneself is similar to what Marcus Aurelius did in his Meditations. As many people know, Marcus did not keep a journal, thinking that thousands of years later, people would still be referring to his meditations. It was an opportunity for him to be grateful to his teachers, to remind himself of the virtues and live according to them, and to maintain perspective on what was in his control and what was not, i.e. how other people behaved. It may seem like an arduous task, but it need not be, primarily if we focus on ourselves, and that is why temperance can serve us in pursuing a virtuous life. Therefore, I wanted to expand on living a virtuous life in this week's edition of EZ Reflections.

The Role of Virtue in Mental Well-Being

The Stoics, including Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, argued that a virtuous life leads to eudaimonia—flourishing and inner tranquility. Research in modern psychology supports this idea. Studies have shown that individuals who practice self-control and align their actions with ethical principles experience lower stress levels, greater life satisfaction, and improved resilience to adversity (Ryan & Deci, 2001). Virtue-based living fosters a sense of purpose and self-respect, which are crucial for mental well-being (Steger, Kashdan, & Oishi, 2008).

Why Temperance Is the Ideal Starting Point

Temperance, or moderation, refers to the ability to regulate one’s desires and impulses. It provides the discipline necessary to cultivate the other Stoic virtues. Without temperance, wisdom can become indulgent, courage reckless, and justice biased. Here’s why temperance is a practical starting point:

1. Building Self-Mastery: Practicing temperance enhances self-control, strengthening one’s ability to respond to challenges rather than react impulsively. Research by Moffitt et al. (2011) indicates that self-control in early life predicts long-term mental and physical health.

2. Reducing Anxiety and Stress: Overindulgence, whether in food, social media, or material possessions, often leads to guilt and dissatisfaction. Studies suggest that moderation increases emotional stability and reduces anxiety (Hofmann, Baumeister, Förster, & Vohs, 2012).

3. Enhancing Decision-Making: A moderate approach fosters clarity, allowing individuals to make thoughtful, ethical choices rather than succumbing to fleeting emotions.

4. Encouraging Resilience: When one practices restraint, they cultivate inner strength, which makes them more adaptable to setbacks and hardships. Research has shown that individuals who regulate their emotions effectively are better equipped to handle stress and adversity (Gross, 2002).

Practical Ways to Cultivate Temperance

1. Mindful Consumption: Be intentional about what you consume, whether it’s food, information, or entertainment. Avoid excess and focus on quality over quantity.

2. Emotional Regulation: Practice pausing before reacting emotionally to situations. Techniques such as cognitive reframing, deep breathing, and journaling can help.

3. Delaying Gratification: Engage in habits that train patience, such as fasting, taking breaks from digital distractions, or setting long-term goals.

4. Living with Simplicity: Adopt a minimalist mindset by focusing on what truly adds value to your life rather than accumulating unnecessary possessions.Conclusion

Living a virtuous life is not about moral superiority but about cultivating inner peace, resilience, and wisdom. By starting with temperance, we create a foundation for self-mastery that allows us to navigate life with greater clarity and purpose. As the Stoic philosopher Seneca wisely stated, “Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.”

By embracing moderation, we take the first step toward a life of virtue that enhances our well—being and enables us to contribute meaningfully to the world around us.

References

• Gross, J. J. (2002). Emotion regulation: Affective, cognitive, and social consequences. Psychophysiology, 39(3), 281-291.

• Hofmann, W., Baumeister, R. F., Förster, G., & Vohs, K. D. (2012). Everyday temptations: An experience sampling study of desire, conflict, and self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102(6), 1318-1335.

• Moffitt, T. E., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D., Dickson, N., Hancox, R. J., Harrington, H., ... & Caspi, A. (2011). A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 2693-2698.

• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141-166.

• Steger, M. F., Kashdan, T. B., & Oishi, S. (2008). Being good by doing good: Daily eudaimonic activity and well-being. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(1), 22-42.
  

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