Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Foundations of Stoic Philosophy
Foundations of Stoic Philosophy
Knowledge check
Q1. Which ancient city was the Stoic school founded in, giving it its name?
- A. Athens ✓
- B. Sparta
- C. Corinth
- D. Thebes
Why: Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism around 300 BCE in Athens, teaching at the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch), from which the school takes its name.
Q2. According to Stoic philosophy, which of the following is entirely within our control?
- A. The outcome of a competition
- B. Our reactions and judgments ✓
- C. The weather on match day
- D. The decisions of referees
Why: Epictetus taught that we control our judgments, impulses, and choices, but not external events or other people's actions. Stoic sport training focuses on this distinction.
Q3. What is the Stoic term for the dichotomy between what we can and cannot control?
- A. Eudaimonia
- B. Ataraxia
- C. The dichotomy of control ✓
- D. Logos
Why: The 'dichotomy of control' is the central Stoic idea, drawn from Epictetus's Enchiridion, that distinguishes what is 'up to us' from what is not.
Q4. Which Stoic virtue is most associated with courage in facing difficulty and pain?
- A. Justice
- B. Temperance
- C. Wisdom
- D. Fortitude ✓
Why: The four Stoic cardinal virtues are wisdom, justice, courage (fortitude), and temperance. Fortitude governs endurance under hardship, which is central to athletic perseverance.
Q5. What does the Stoic concept of 'eudaimonia' most closely translate to?
- A. Wealth and social status
- B. Flourishing or living well according to virtue ✓
- C. Physical strength
- D. Freedom from all emotion
Why: Eudaimonia is often translated as flourishing or human well-being. For Stoics, it is achieved by living in accordance with reason and virtue rather than external goods.
Module 2
Module 2: The Dichotomy of Control in Competition
The Dichotomy of Control in Competition
Knowledge check
Q1. According to the Stoic dichotomy of control, which of the following is entirely within an athlete's control?
- A. The final score of the match
- B. The effort and focus they put into each training session ✓
- C. The referee's decisions
- D. The weather conditions on match day
Why: The dichotomy of control, taught by Epictetus, divides things into what is up to us (our judgments, intentions, efforts, and actions) and what is not (outcomes, other people's behavior, external conditions). An athlete's effort and focus are their own, so they belong in the first category.
Q2. A sprinter trains hard all season but loses in the national final by a few hundredths of a second. From a Stoic perspective, what should they focus on evaluating?
- A. Whether the result proves their talent is inadequate
- B. Whether they gave their best preparation and execution, since the result itself was not fully theirs to control ✓
- C. Whether their rivals cheated to win
- D. Whether they should quit because luck was against them
Why: Stoics teach that we should judge ourselves by what is up to us, namely our preparation and performance, rather than by outcomes that depend on many factors beyond our power. Evaluating their own effort honestly keeps their judgment anchored in what they can actually control.
Q3. Which of the following best illustrates the Stoic principle of responding to external events with virtue rather than disturbance?
- A. Blaming the crowd for making noise during a free throw
- B. Refocusing calmly on the next play after a bad call by the referee ✓
- C. Demanding that teammates play better after a loss
- D. Sulking for the rest of the game after conceding a goal
Why: Epictetus emphasized that it is our judgments about events, not the events themselves, that disturb us. Calmly refocusing after a bad call shows the athlete accepting what they cannot change and directing attention to what they can, which reflects Stoic composure.
Q4. A tennis player worries constantly about whether their opponent will play well. Using the dichotomy of control, what is the most helpful reframing?
- A. The opponent's performance is something I can fully prevent
- B. My worry about the opponent is useful preparation
- C. The opponent's performance is not mine to control, so my attention belongs on my own serve, footwork, and strategy ✓
- D. I should try to distract the opponent so they play worse
Why: The opponent's play belongs to the category of things outside our control. Redirecting attention to one's own serve, footwork, and tactics applies the dichotomy directly and removes energy wasted on anxiety about things one cannot influence.
Q5. Which statement best captures why Stoics believed the dichotomy of control improves competitive performance?
- A. It guarantees victory by eliminating all opposing players' skill
- B. It frees mental energy from anxiety about uncontrollable outcomes so it can be directed toward effort and execution ✓
- C. It encourages athletes to ignore their opponents entirely
- D. It teaches athletes to avoid competition in order to reduce stress
Why: By separating what is up to us from what is not, athletes stop spending energy on worry, fear of results, and resentment toward others. That focus redirected to controllable actions tends to produce steadier, more effective performance, though it never guarantees a win.
Module 3
Module 3: Managing Pressure and Anxiety
Managing Pressure and Anxiety
Knowledge check
Q1. According to Stoic philosophy, which of the following should an athlete focus their energy on when facing pressure?
- A. The crowd's expectations and opinions
- B. The effort and choices within their own control ✓
- C. The final scoreboard result
- D. The performance of their opponents
Why: Stoics, following Epictetus, taught that we should separate what is within our control (our effort, judgment, and actions) from what is not (outcomes, others' opinions, external events). Focusing on the controllable reduces anxiety and keeps attention productive.
Q2. A Stoic dichotomy of control distinguishes between which two categories?
- A. Physical skills and mental skills
- B. Things we can control and things we cannot control ✓
- C. Training days and rest days
- D. Past performances and future goals
Why: The dichotomy of control is a core Stoic principle holding that wise action begins by distinguishing what depends on us from what does not. Recognizing this boundary is a foundational tool for managing pressure in sport.
Q3. Which practice is commonly recommended by Stoics to prepare for stressful situations, such as a big competition?
- A. Avoiding all thoughts about the event until it begins
- B. Premeditatio malorum, or mentally rehearsing possible obstacles in advance ✓
- C. Assuming everything will go perfectly
- D. Drinking alcohol to calm nerves
Why: Premeditatio malorum, the premeditation of adversity, involves imagining what could go wrong beforehand. This reduces the shock of setbacks and builds resilience, so when difficulties arise, the athlete has already considered how to respond.
Q4. An athlete who worries intensely about what their coach and fans think of them is most likely struggling with which Stoic concern?
- A. Attachment to externals, such as reputation and approval ✓
- B. Excessive physical training
- C. Lack of technical knowledge
- D. Problems with sleep schedules
Why: Stoics warned that tying our sense of worth to external judgments, like reputation or applause, leaves us vulnerable to anxiety because those things lie beyond our control. Grounding self-worth in one's own virtuous effort provides steadier footing.
Q5. In Stoic terms, what is the best way to view a loss or poor performance in sport?
- A. As proof that one's character is fundamentally flawed
- B. As an event to learn from, whose meaning depends on how one responds ✓
- C. As something that should be ignored completely
- D. As the fault of officials or teammates alone
Why: Stoics emphasized that events themselves are neutral; our judgments about them shape our suffering. Treating a loss as a learning opportunity, and responding with virtue such as honesty and persistence, turns setbacks into material for growth.
Module 4
Module 4: Virtue, Discipline, and Character
Virtue, Discipline, and Character
Knowledge check
Q1. In Stoic philosophy, which four cardinal virtues form the foundation of good character?
- A. Courage, ambition, loyalty, and humility
- B. Wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance
- C. Strength, speed, endurance, and focus
- D. Honesty, generosity, patience, and fame
Q2. According to the Stoics, what is the proper focus of an athlete's effort?
- A. Winning the trophy, since outcomes define success
- B. Crowd approval and media attention
- C. Controlling their own effort, choices, and attitude, not the final result
- D. Beating the opponent by any means available
Q3. Which Stoic concept describes the idea of distinguishing what is within our control from what is not?
- A. The dichotomy of control
- B. The doctrine of eternal recurrence
- C. The principle of hedonic balance
- D. The theory of forms
Q4. Why does discipline matter in the Stoic view of sport and character?
- A. It guarantees that the athlete will never lose a competition
- B. It trains the habit of acting on reason and virtue rather than on impulse and emotion
- C. It allows athletes to avoid physical pain entirely
- D. It is valued mainly because it impresses coaches and sponsors
Q5. How might a Stoic athlete respond to a defeat?
- A. By blaming referees and teammates to protect their pride
- B. By reflecting on what they can learn and improve, accepting the outcome calmly
- C. By abandoning the sport since losing shows a lack of worth
- D. By pretending the loss never happened to avoid discomfort
Module 5
Module 5: Coping with Defeat and Setbacks
Coping with Defeat and Setbacks
Knowledge check
Q1. According to Stoic philosophy, which of the following is fully within our control when we suffer a defeat in sport?
- A. The final score of the match
- B. Our effort, preparation, and response to the loss ✓
- C. The decisions of the referees
- D. How our opponents perform on the day
Why: Stoics divided things into those we control (our judgments, efforts, and actions) and those we do not (outcomes, opponents, officials). Focusing on our effort and response is the core Stoic approach to coping with defeat.
Q2. Which Stoic concept encourages athletes to imagine setbacks in advance so they are less shaken when they occur?
- A. Amor fati
- B. Premeditatio malorum ✓
- C. Eudaimonia
- D. Ataraxia
Why: Premeditatio malorum, or 'premeditation of evils,' is the practice of mentally rehearsing possible difficulties, such as losing or getting injured, so that they feel less shocking when they happen.
Q3. What does the Stoic term 'amor fati' ask an athlete to do after a defeat?
- A. Blame the coaching staff for the result
- B. Avoid thinking about the loss entirely
- C. Accept and even embrace what has happened as part of one's path ✓
- D. Immediately seek a new team
Why: Amor fati means 'love of fate.' It encourages accepting events, including defeats, as they are and seeing them as material for growth rather than resisting them.
Q4. A Stoic athlete who loses a close match might ask themselves which question to guide their reflection?
- A. How can I make sure no one ever sees me lose again?
- B. What part of this result did I influence, and what can I improve? ✓
- C. Whose fault was it that we lost?
- D. How much money did I lose from this defeat?
Why: Stoic reflection focuses on separating what is within one's control from what is not, then learning from the parts one influenced. This turns defeat into useful feedback rather than a source of blame.
Q5. In Stoic thought, why is an external setback like a loss not truly harmful to a person's character?
- A. Because losing never affects anyone emotionally
- B. Because virtue and inner judgment remain intact regardless of external outcomes ✓
- C. Because the scoreboard is always inaccurate
- D. Because athletes are not responsible for their results
Why: Stoics held that true good lies in virtue, wisdom, courage, and self-discipline. External results like winning or losing do not change a person's character, so a defeat need not diminish their inner worth.
Module 6
Module 6: Mental Preparation and Visualisation
Mental Preparation and Visualisation
Knowledge check
Q1. In Stoic philosophy, which of the following is considered fully within our control?
- A. The outcome of a match
- B. Our judgments and the effort we put into our performance ✓
- C. The referee's decisions
- D. The weather on game day
Why: Epictetus taught that we control our judgments, intentions, and actions. Outcomes, opponents, officials, and conditions lie outside our control, so athletes should focus their energy on what they can influence.
Q2. What is the purpose of 'premeditatio malorum' (the premeditation of adversity) in Stoic mental preparation?
- A. To predict exactly how a competition will end
- B. To imagine possible setbacks in advance so they feel less shocking when they occur ✓
- C. To increase anxiety so athletes train harder
- D. To avoid thinking about competition altogether
Why: Premeditatio malorum involves rehearsing potential obstacles, such as injury, a poor performance, or a hostile crowd, so the mind is prepared and not thrown into turmoil when they actually happen. It builds resilience rather than fear.
Q3. When using visualisation before a race, which approach best reflects Stoic principles?
- A. Imagining only perfect victories and the crowd cheering
- B. Mentally rehearsing your process, including how you would respond to difficulties ✓
- C. Avoiding any mental images of the event to prevent pressure
- D. Focusing mainly on the medal and rewards you hope to receive
Why: Stoic visualisation combines positive rehearsal with realistic preparation for adversity. Rehearsing how you will respond to setbacks, while staying focused on your controllable process, builds steadiness under pressure.
Q4. According to Stoicism, what is the healthiest way to think about an athlete's external results?
- A. Results define a person's worth as an athlete
- B. Results should be ignored completely because they never matter
- C. Results are preferred indifferents: welcome when they come, but not the source of one's virtue or peace of mind ✓
- D. Results should be the single focus of all training
Why: Stoics distinguished between virtue, the only true good, and preferred indifferents such as wins, health, and recognition. Athletes can pursue victory wholeheartedly while recognising that their character does not depend on the result.
Q5. Which Stoic practice involves reminding yourself before an event that things may not go as planned, such as 'If fate allows, I will succeed'?
- A. The dichotomy of control
- B. The discipline of assent
- C. The reserve clause (or 'Hupexairesis') ✓
- D. The view from above
Why: The reserve clause, drawn from Stoic thinkers such as Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, adds a qualification like 'if nothing prevents it' to one's intentions. It keeps expectations flexible and reduces disappointment when circumstances intervene.
Module 7
Module 7: Living Stoicism Beyond the Game
Living Stoicism Beyond the Game
Knowledge check
Q1. According to Stoic philosophy, which of the following is entirely within our control?
- A. The outcome of a match
- B. Our own judgments and efforts
- C. The referee's decisions
- D. Whether we are selected for the team
Why: Epictetus taught that we control our own judgments, intentions, and actions, while outcomes, other people's choices, and external events are not fully in our power. Focusing on what we control is a core Stoic practice for athletes.
Q2. What is the Stoic term for a mental rehearsal of possible setbacks before they happen, used to reduce distress when they occur?
- A. Apatheia
- B. Eudaimonia
- C. Premeditatio malorum
- D. Ataraxia
Why: Premeditatio malorum, or the premeditation of evils, involves imagining obstacles, losses, or failures in advance. Athletes use it to prepare mentally for injuries, losing streaks, or bad refereeing so these events feel less shocking.
Q3. In Stoic terms, what does 'dichotomy of control' mean?
- A. Splitting training time evenly between mind and body
- B. Dividing life into things we can influence and things we cannot
- C. Balancing wins and losses across a season
- D. Choosing between two competing coaches
Why: The dichotomy of control is Epictetus's distinction between what depends on us and what does not. Recognizing this boundary helps athletes direct their energy toward effort and response rather than uncontrollable results.
Q4. A Stoic athlete who loses a close final tries to accept the result without being overwhelmed by anger or despair. Which Stoic virtue is most directly being practiced?
- A. Courage
- B. Justice
- C. Temperance
- D. Wisdom
Why: Temperance includes self-control and moderation of emotional responses. Managing disappointment without letting it dominate one's behavior reflects this virtue, which is central to Stoic emotional discipline.
Q5. Which statement best captures how Stoicism encourages athletes to view success after the game ends?
- A. Success depends entirely on winning trophies
- B. Success is measured by the quality of one's effort and character, not only the scoreboard
- C. Success should be avoided because it creates pride
- D. Success only matters when praised by others
Why: Stoics judge actions by virtue, meaning acting justly, wisely, courageously, and temperately. An athlete who gives full effort and keeps good character has succeeded in the Stoic sense, regardless of the final result.