Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior (Hoover Essays)

This is the text of a speech that Admiral Stockdale gave, describing his experience as a Prisoner of War in the "Hanoi Hilton" for 7 years during the Vietnam war. Stockdale was a true American hero. His bravery and strength as a POW rightly earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was awarded after his release.Like Epictetus, Stockdale was one of those rare Stoic philosophers who have proven, from their own painful experience, that Stoicism works under the most difficult circumstances. Adm Stockdale credits Stoicism for his own survival during 7 years of the most horrific circumstances imaginable.This book is short and easy to read. I highly recommend it.

In 1965, James Bond Stockdale was shot out of the air over North Vietnam, and spent the next 7 years imprisoned. As the most senior officer, he was the focus for brutal interrogations. Through sheer resolve, he managed to not only survive the most horrific conditions imaginable, but walked out better for the experience.The rather short but informative essay is about how Stockdale, as a Naval Officer at the age of 38, decided to ltake a chance on learning philosophy while in graduate school at Stanford and discovered the Stoic school of philosophy and most namely, Epictetus.Epictetus believed that external events were beyond our control and thus there was no reason to worry about the things we couldn't control. He believed that people were responsible for their own reactions, and that you could control them through self-discipline. It's a simple enough philosophy, but Stockdale used this to his advantage. After he was shot out of the air, he couldn't control the beatings, but he could control his mental state and serve as an example to fellow POWs.Philosophy sometimes struggles for practical applications, but reading this essay will make you believe that words written nearly 2000 years ago still hold relevance, and saved lives. The essay also gives you an understanding of Stockdale the man, who was an amazing officer even before the events that led to becoming a POW. Stockdale's list of awards, including the Medal of Honor, show that he is one of our greatest military heroes. This is a well written essay, and is worth reading if you're in the military or a philosopher. I feel richer for having read this, because I got to learn more about someone I wish I could have met.

Stockdale writes vividly, and clearly about the practical application of Stoic principles. If the Warrior mindset fascinates you you'll find this essay both readable and engaging. The one short coming of this item is that it is the publication of a single essay, it does not have any of his other writings. It's few pages can be read quickly, but their quality makes the reader wish for more.

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Real-life example of the value of authoring your life with a philosophical and principled foundation. Inspired me to read Epictetus myself. Would recommend to anyone on a philosophical journey of discovering who we are.

If you wonder about “applied stoicism” read this book, and realize we have so little control over our lives. Boardroom or prison floor … it is all the same

I am not sure how I stumbled on the writings of former POW Admiral Stockdale but am so glad I did. Having served a couple tours in Nam myself I have been a forever student of the war and this book, while out of print, should be a best seller.Stockdale came home and served as President of a couple universities and the book is a compilation of his articles, speeches and writings on the topic of the war. I did not know he was the Commander of the planes who responded to the now infamous Gulf of Tonkin incident. He outlines his personal observations of the event and his utter shock at being sent out to bomb Vihn the next night in retaliation.If your a student of the war this is a great read.

This book vaguely describes the abuse that tortured prisoners of the Vietnamese government suffered during the Vietnam war. I find it ironic that the US government is now in the same business of torturing prisoners. The main lesson taught by Stockdale is to control what you can and let go of things outside your control. Stockwell's advice to let go of shame from confessing during torture was enlightening and a relief. Stockdale then ends this work by quoting the poem from Invictus that we are "captains of our fate" indicating we are only responsible for our own actions.I found Stockdale's suggestion to control fear and emotions counterproductive since emotions come from your reptilian brain that we have little control over but we can only attempt to control our reactions to emotions. According to AEDP therapy, suppressing your emotions can cause serious injury to one's mental health and is the reason I disagree with Stockdale's stoic philosophy. See "It's Not Always Depression" by Hilary Jacobs Hendel.What I find most interesting is that peoples that tolerate their government torturing prisoners soon themselves become brutal and sadistic like their governments. I lived with students from Vietnam who were arrogant and vicious just like their government. I see the same change in the culture of the US since torture was introduced by Bush and probably reintroduced as policy by Trump.https://smile.amazon.com/Its-Not-Always-Depression-Authentic/dp/B078PQ8FNQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WB89CN9AY5ME&keywords=its+not+always+depression+book&qid=1556504285&s=gateway&sprefix=its+not+always+%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1

A coragem de James Stockdale e a sua determinação para superar a provação como prisioneiro de guerra são descritas em detalhes neste relato autobiográfico incrível. Logo no início do texto, quando ele relata que se vê em vias de ser capturado como prisioneiro de guerra, e diz para si mesmo: "estou saindo do mundo da tecnologia para entrar no mundo de Epicteto", nos levam a uma viagem sobre o poder da força mental do Estoicismo frente às adversidades. E de como este caminho não é fácil de ser percorrido.

Es un libro muy corto. Pero da muchas enseñanzas. Stockdale narra como su conocimiento del estoicismo, específicamente de Epicteto, lo ayudo a soportar años como prisionero de guerra.

I’d heard of James B Stockdale’s story in the book Good to Great by Jim Colins - referred to as the Stockdale Paradox.The short book, essentially, puts into perspective, the mindset that Stockdale had developed from his stoic teachings. This mindset about focusing on the things you can control is really helpful In any situation.Well worth less than 30 minutes of your time.

A very very good example of how stoic philosophy can help us in any circumstance

A short book but an amazing story of resilience in the face of misery and horror using the wisdom of Epictetus to survive.