Indifferents

In Stoic philosophy, the concept of indifferents refers to things that are neither inherently good nor bad and, therefore, do not directly impact a person's moral virtue or happiness. The Stoics believe that the only true good is virtue, and the only true evil is vice. Everything else, including health, wealth, fame, and even life and death, falls into the category of indifferents.

In the Stoic view, indifferents do not contribute to or detract from a person's moral character. They are external factors that lie outside of our control and, as such, should not determine our sense of well-being or ethical worth. The Stoics further distinguished between preferred indifferents and dispreferred indifferents. Preferred indifferents, such as health, wealth, and good relationships, are naturally desirable and generally conducive to a rational and orderly life. Dispreferred indifferents, such as illness, poverty, and social dishonor, are naturally undesirable but, in themselves, still do not have moral significance. The key Stoic insight is that while it is natural to have preferences among indifferents, these preferences should not be allowed to disturb one’s inner peace or lead to attachment. Stoics are taught to approach indifferents with a sense of detachment, understanding that they have no bearing on true happiness or virtue, which are found only in the proper exercise of reason and the cultivation of moral character.

The concept of indifferents thus encourages a Stoic to align their life with reason, viewing external events and possessions as neutral and irrelevant to their true purpose, which is to live a virtuous life in accordance with nature.