Existentialism versus Stoicism
Both put the weight on what a person does with their own mind. Stoicism sees a rational world to live in agreement with, while existentialism sees no built-in reason or purpose, so we make what matters.
What they share
Both put the weight on what a person does with their own mind. In Stoicism our judgments and assent are in our power, so we answer for them. In existentialism freedom and responsibility are complete: a person is fully responsible for their choices.
Where they differ
- The world's order. Stoicism describes a rational, providential universe in which the present is fully determined by earlier causes, and the Stoic aim is to live in agreement with it. Many existentialists hold the opposite: that nature as a whole has no design and no reason for existing, and that modern life brings the recognition that there is no overarching reason, order or purpose.
- What a person is. The Stoic aim is to live in agreement with nature, and for humans that is tied to reason. Existentialists say existence comes before essence: there is no pre-given human nature, and a person makes themselves by what they choose.
- Strong feelings. Stoics hold that unhealthy passions rest on mistaken judgments, and that the good person is free of them while keeping calm, healthy feelings. Existentialists treat anxiety and similar moods as a way into the truth of one's situation, and say we should turn toward them, not flee them.
A question that separates them
- Does the world have an order? “The world has a reason in it, and a good life fits with it” against “The world has no built-in reason or purpose, and we make what matters”.
- What do strong feelings tell us? “Strong feelings that overwhelm us rest on a mistake in our judgment” against “Strong feelings such as anxiety can show us something true”.
- Is there a human nature? “A person has a nature to live up to” against “A person has no fixed nature and makes themselves”.
Stoics also say people are responsible for their judgments even in a world fully determined by earlier causes, so the two are not simply fixed causes against freedom.
Written by epchē in our own words, and checked against independent sources on 9 October 2026. The sources are listed below.
Read each on its own
Sources we used
- Stoicism · Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 9 October 2026
- Stoicism · Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 9 October 2026
- Existentialism · Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 9 October 2026
- Existentialism · Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, read on 9 October 2026