Filozofio Afisxo Unua: Stoicism vs. La Gxoia Filozofio: Two Paths to Peace, Two Visions of Joy
As I continue this year’s series of philosophical reflections, it seems only fitting to compare the well-known with the personal. Stoicism, that ancient and powerful philosophy, has shaped countless lives with its call for inner resilience. But what if we imagined an alternative—one that doesn’t simply help us endure suffering, but invites us to celebrate life’s pleasures as well? Enter La Gxoia Filozofio—my new Philosophy that is meant to be a rival to not only Stoicism, Epicureanism and other premodern philosophies but also modern philosophies such as Existentialism. It is my own evolving approach to a joyful life.
Let’s begin with what Stoicism and La Gxoia Filozofio share. Both are responses to the unpredictable nature of the world. Stoicism counsels calm acceptance of fate (what the Stoics call the Logos or divine order), and La Gxoia Filozofio similarly encourages us to detach from outcomes we cannot control (but guided by science). Both stress the importance of internal clarity over external circumstances, and both suggest that a good life requires philosophical self-discipline.
But their tone is quite different. Stoicism is sober, restrained, and a bit ascetic. It says: "Don’t get too attached. Don’t get too emotional. Keep a cool head." La Gxoia Filozofio, by contrast, says: “Revel in small joys. Laugh more. Dance, if possible. Don’t just survive life—delight in it.” It’s not that Stoicism is anti-joy, but it’s cautious about joy’s volatility. La Gxoia is more forgiving—more playful—and sees joy not as a danger, but as a compass.
Then there’s the role of emotion. Stoicism teaches us to master our passions, lest they lead us astray. La Gxoia Filozofio encourages emotional intelligence too, but with a twist: it celebrates certain emotions as signs of aliveness. Gratitude, wonder, warmth—these aren’t distractions, they’re the music of a well-lived life. You don’t need to suppress emotion; you need to tune into the right emotional frequency.
There’s also a difference in aesthetic sensibility. Stoicism is granite and steel—strong, reliable, timeless. La Gxoia is a garden after rain—colorful, surprising, fleeting, but beautiful in its transience. Stoicism gives you shelter; La Gxoia invites you on a walk. It’s a softer philosophy, not in the sense of being weak, but in the sense of being gentle, and open to beauty. It can make individuals stronger than Stoicism makes them and even more resilient.
Finally, there’s a subtle divergence in purpose. Stoicism is ultimately about virtue and harmony with nature. It sees suffering as something to rise above. La Gxoia Filozofio doesn't necessarily seek to transcend suffering—it seeks to counterbalance it with joy. It acknowledges life’s harshness, but it insists on noticing the birdsong anyway.
So, if Stoicism is a fortress in the storm, La Gxoia is a candle in the dark. One guards you; the other warms you. Perhaps we need both. But in a time when life can feel especially anxious and grey, I believe we need more than just stoicism—we need gxoia, too.