On stoicism: does it have efficacy in society today, in what way?

Question: On stoicism: does it have efficacy in society today, in what way!?
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It absolutely does!. We admire "Stoicism" even when we sometimes don't know just what it means in a particualar situation!. Marcus Aurelieus was the best known Stoic, and his "Meditations" are still required reading in many subjects from psychology to ethics to metaphysics!.

There may be noo truer statement of the "human condition" concerning man's choice to think or not to think than this:
"He who does not know what the world is, does not know where he is!. And he who does not know for what purpose the world exists, does not know who he is, nor what the world is!. But he who has failed in any one of these things could not even say for what purpose he exists himself!. "

That goes directly to the "purpose of life" question everyone asked!.
The Stoics were well versed in Aristotle, but differed with him in the nature of "essences!." Aristotle said they were "in the things themselves!." The Stoics said they were concepts!. This Stoic idea would be brought back, notably by Wm!. of Ockham (of Occam's Razor fame) and would reject the doctrines of Aquinas!.

Now, Ayn Rand admired Aquinas as the most rational theologian of the middle ages, but Occam sounds more like Rand herself (who differed from Aristotle in some ways) when "he argued that reality exists solely in individual things and [that] universals" are abstractions!. [Columbia Viking Desk Enclyclopedia!.]

That was Ayn Rand's point, made very clear in her book on epistemology!.

So Stoicism keeps coming back to us in one form or another!.

"And thou wilt give thyself relief, if thou doest every act of thy life as if it were the last!. "
"Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish!. "

The next one echos Aristotle's essence of "qua Man!."
"Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume that it is beyond the powers of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe that it is within your own compass also!. "

Aside from the language, doesn't this sound "rugged individualist Americanism"!?
"Begin - to begin is half the work, let half still remain; again begin this, and thou wilt have finished!. "

Even the small things count:
"Forward, as occasion offers!. Never look round to see whether any shall note it!.!.!. Be satisfied with success in even the smallest matter, and think that even such a result is no trifle!. "

"I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinions of himself than on the opinions of others!. "
(The cause of this is altruism!.)

This echos Naturalism, and Rand!.
"Life is neither good or evil, but only a place for good and evil!. "

Don't be afraid of the unknown:
"Never let the future disturb you!. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present!. "

This is the basis for Aristotle's observational science, and rational thinking built on the proper estimations of reality:
"Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life!. "

All quotes by AureliusWww@QuestionHome@Com

I think so, more than ever!. Separating from materialism, living simple!.Www@QuestionHome@Com