The Interpersonal Nature of Stoicism

There has been much recent enthusiasm for stoicism as a way of thought and life. This enthusiasm highlights, among other things, the beneficial aspects of stoicism on relationships with others, although the interpersonal nature of stoicism has not yet been examined empirically. In this study, we examine this, measuring the projection of stoicism across the interpersonal circumplex (IPC) in a sample of men and women recruited online ( N = 447). Results indicated that stoicism projected into the cold area of the IPC, suggesting that it is associated with a tendency to rate oneself as detached. However, these findings may not fully characterize stoics’ interactions with others, as the stoic philosophy and way of life emphasize interpersonal engagement. Study findings add nuance to a psychological understanding of stoicism and provide numerous directions for future research on the interpersonal nature of stoicism.