Vulcan philosophy as a life practice

[ananta]

In many ways, I love the way Vulcan society is portrayed as a model of stoicism, which is a philosophy/way of living which I believe has great value.

regarding the suppression of emotion, I think any psychologist would warn that emotional suppression almost inevitably leads to some measure of psychosis. Sublimation is a far better strategy than suppression. It’s hard not to see the Vulcans as a little f-ked up as a result of this. Beneath the serene exterior is a simmering cauldron of emotional turbulence, as we saw in TNG’s “Sarek” when Sarek lost the ability to control his emotions. It wasn’t pretty. Also, how authentic a way of living is it? Isn’t it just a little fake if everyone behaves one way when they’re actually feeling another way.

It’s an interesting counter to our overly-emotional culture these days. Everything is designed to trigger emotion, and hence a response, positive or negative. This is particularly notable in politics—politicians don’t use logic (quite the contrary), they target—one might say exploit—people’s emotions in order to get votes. What happens when people generally live by a rollercoaster of emotion with little regard to reasoned and dispassionate analysis? Possibly...the mess we’re in.

There must be a happy medium?

 

[fireproof78]

Happy medium is absolutely what I try to encourage my clients to explore, specifically looking at a balanced approach. I loved Dialetical Behavioral Therapy because it teaches a "Wise Mind" approach of balancing emotions and reason/logic mind.

https://www.radicallyopen.net/overcontrolled-is-a-term-that-ive-come-to-discover-describes-me-well/

 

[Voodoowoman2]

Was it truly repression? My interpretation was that it was a control of outlying over emotion and in that sense logic was a tool of emotional regulation.

Some here are comparing it to stoicism or to the evasion of emotional states. In the modern world expression of over emotion is validated and the result is a cumulative effect of anxiety disorder in the greater population. People are lining up to be diagnosed with complex disorders to give them a sense of understanding to over emotion itself. I don’t think the Vulcan archetype is one of concealing emotion but using reason to achieve a balance, one which in reality is an unsteady pendulum.

Actually the Stoicism of say Marcus Aurelius us not about emotionless life.
It's about creating a happy , centered and contented life. I'm a Stoic. Stop worrying about things you can't change, change the things you can and learn the difference.
The Vulcan we are seeing on Discovery are disturbing. Sarek wants to teach them empathy. Man!

 

[Ocanain]

Actually the Stoicism of say Marcus Aurelius us not about emotionless life.
It's about creating a happy , centered and contented life. I'm a Stoic. Stop worrying about things you can't change, change the things you can and learn the difference.
The Vulcan we are seeing on Discovery are disturbing. Sarek wants to teach them empathy. Man!

Admittedly I’m pretty rusty on stoicism but I was trying to highlight similarly that stoicism was not about being emotionless but controlling emotion. In philosophical terms, as I understand this is done in terms of serving the highest good.

As far as Discovery, I haven’t got to that yet. Thanks for the comment. I’m always intrigued by philosophy.