Stoicism Has Kind of Become a Scam

Or, the difference between Stoicism and Broism

Something weird is happening with Stoicism. This ancient philosophy, which was once revered as a pathway to a fulfilled and virtuous life, has lately found an unlikely audience within the “manosphere.” This collection of online communities where men discuss issues around modern masculinity has latched onto Stoicism, not to educate or inspire, but to sell a distorted version of it as the magic formula for success, power, and personal transformation.

This begs a few questions: Why Stoicism, of all the ancient philosophies? Why do those who often dismiss intellectualism seem to gravitate toward something so cerebral? The answer may lie in how “Broism”—as we might call this co-opted form of Stoicism—has evolved not as a guide for living virtuously, but as a tool to exploit those seeking quick fixes, helping dubious influencers build fame and fortune.