What Board GameS Can Teach us about STOICISM

Finding  ​Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece and was later embraced by the Romans. It teaches that people should focus on the things that they can control and let go of the things that they cannot. This philosophy can be applied to many aspects of life, including the world of board games.

At its core, playing a board game is about making choices and dealing with the consequences of those choices. This can be a microcosm of life, where we make decisions and must live with the results. As stoics, we can approach board games with the same mindset and principles that we apply to real life.

One of the key ideas in stoicism is the concept of acceptance. This means accepting the things that we cannot change and not getting overly upset or frustrated by them. In a board game, this might mean accepting the roll of the dice or the cards that we are dealt. We cannot control these things, so there is no point in getting upset or angry about them. Instead, we can focus on making the best decisions with the resources that we have.

Another important idea in stoicism is the concept of virtue. Stoics believe that there are certain virtues that are essential for living a good and fulfilling life. These virtues include wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. In a board game, we can apply these virtues by making wise decisions, being fair and just to other players, taking risks when necessary, and not letting our emotions get the best of us.

One of the key challenges in applying stoicism to board games is dealing with failure. In a game, we will inevitably encounter setbacks and failures. This can be frustrating, but as stoics, we can view these failures as opportunities for growth and learning. We can use them as a chance to reflect on our choices and see what we could have done differently. We can also use them to develop resilience and determination, knowing that we can overcome obstacles and continue to improve.

Another challenge in applying stoicism to board games is dealing with competition. Many board games are competitive in nature, and it can be easy to get caught up in the desire to win. However, as stoics, we can view competition differently. We can see it as a chance to test our skills and abilities against others, and to learn from our interactions with them. We can strive to win, but not at the expense of our values or our relationships with others.

In conclusion, stoicism can be a valuable philosophy to apply to the world of board games. It can help us approach these games with a sense of acceptance, virtue, and resilience. It can also help us to view competition and failure in a more constructive and positive light. By applying these principles to our board game experiences, we can gain valuable insights and lessons that can help us in our everyday lives.