Hellloooo,

This is the first post I've written in English in a while. Since many of the people close to me are outside of Türkiye, I think it's worth sharing English posts every once in a while, both for their benefit and to open up a space for discussion and inspiration.

For some time now, I've been trying to move beyond scientific papers, novels and poetry in my reading. Lately, in particular, an old curiosity of mine, Stoic philosophy, has resurfaced. Before anything else, I should say this: in difficult times, we look for something that proves endurance is possible, proof that people have made it through hardship without being changed by it. Just knowing this gives you strength. History remembers those who endured with strength not merely as survivors, but as guides for everyone who came after.

As I gave up the part of me that used to attach to people a long time ago, I've become more interested in the underlying philosophy that actually makes people strong and free. A couple of weeks ago, I realised that I'd been drawing inspiration from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, thinkers we now call Stoics. It was a similar realisation to the one I had when I explored "connectivism": I discovered I'd already been living in line with its principles, without knowing the theory behind them. I'll write a post about connectivism soon, too. But back to Stoicism, I admire its perspective and the way it shapes people into something stronger.

What attracts me most to Stoicism is its emphasis on remaining calm and steadfast even when facing the worst circumstances, including suffering and death. That idea resonates deeply with me because I have always tried to face difficulties without allowing them to change who I am. Whether I realised it or not, many of the values I have developed over the years seem to have brought me naturally closer to Stoic philosophy.

To me, this is the essence of Stoicism: not suppressing emotions or pretending that pain does not exist, but refusing to let external circumstances determine who you become. History offers remarkable examples of this. Seneca, after being ordered by Emperor Nero to take his own life, reportedly spent his final moments comforting his friends rather than himself. Epictetus, who spent part of his life as a slave, argued that although our bodies may be enslaved, our minds can remain free. That distinction is extraordinary. Allow me to add one more example, this time from modern literature. I do not know whether Ahmet Altan considers himself a Stoic, but many moments in his life reflect a deeply Stoic mindset. In his memoir, he recalls that when police officers came to arrest him, one of them offered him a cigarette. He declined the offer, saying, "I only smoke when I'm nervous."

Perhaps that is why Stoicism has resonated with me so deeply. The more I read Stoicism, the more I appreciate its emphasis on self-control, resilience, and inner freedom. Their examples remind me that true strength lies not in changing reality, but in refusing to let reality change our principles. Accordingly, every challenge then becomes an opportunity to strengthen our character. And perhaps, as our character grows stronger, so does our willingness to embrace even greater challenges..

See you in the next post.

11.07.2026