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I don't know about Stoicism in particular, but Buddhism does try to cultivate compassion for others just as much as internal mastery over the mind, so that might perhaps be more agreeable to you on those terms, but I see what you're saying. I suppose it would be fair to say that my interest in these things tends to be in the self improvement sense - as psychological tools for dealing with life - more than as ethical theories... so I guess I'd say my interest in it (Buddhism or Stoicism) is selfish in the way you're meaning it. I don't really have any particular ethical theory that I adhere to beyond just trying to be empathetic.
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Stoicism is actually extremely altruistic - the focus is on being moral yourself but not requiring or expecting that others meet the moral standards you set for yourself. That said, I find it most helpful in the way you mention, as self improvement and a psychological tool for dealing with life.
I agree that empathy and the "golden rule" of treating others how you would like to be treated is how I see the foundation for any interpersonal ethics.
I don't know about Stoicism in particular, but Buddhism does try to cultivate compassion for others just as much as internal mastery over the mind, so that might perhaps be more agreeable to you on those terms, but I see what you're saying. I suppose it would be fair to say that my interest in these things tends to be in the self improvement sense - as psychological tools for dealing with life - more than as ethical theories... so I guess I'd say my interest in it (Buddhism or Stoicism) is selfish in the way you're meaning it. I don't really have any particular ethical theory that I adhere to beyond just trying to be empathetic.
[/quote]
Stoicism is actually extremely altruistic - the focus is on being moral yourself but not requiring or expecting that others meet the moral standards you set for yourself. That said, I find it most helpful in the way you mention, as self improvement and a psychological tool for dealing with life.
I agree that empathy and the "golden rule" of treating others how you would like to be treated is how I see the foundation for any interpersonal ethics.
