ataraxia definition stoicism

Key Takeaway: Ataraxia (ἀταραξία) is a Greek term meaning 'unperturbedness' or 'tranquility of mind.' In Stoic philosophy, ataraxia is the state of being free from emotional disturbance and mental agitation.

Ataraxia (ἀταραξία) is a Greek term meaning 'unperturbedness' or 'tranquility of mind.' In Stoic philosophy, ataraxia is the state of being free from emotional disturbance and mental agitation. It is achieved not by withdrawing from the world but by right judgment — recognizing what is within our control and what is not, and aligning our will with nature.

As the Stoic philosophers — particularly Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations and Seneca in his Letters — wrote, Ataraxia (ἀταραξία) is a Greek term meaning 'unperturbedness' or 'tranquility of mind.

— Oriens