Eric Kim’s critique of Stoicism is unique in its focus on practicality and embodied experience, contrasting Stoicism’s abstract nature with Spartan philosophy’s emphasis on physicality, action, and reality. While many critiques of Stoicism focus on its emotional suppression or historical limitations, Kim approaches it from a tangible, body-focused perspective.

1. Physicality vs. Theory: Kim argues that Stoicism feels “divorced from reality” because it remains primarily a mental or theoretical practice. In contrast, Spartan philosophy offers a clear model of physical embodiment and action, which he believes is more directly applicable to life. He illustrates this by pointing out that there is no defined image of a Stoic, but the Spartan ideal is vividly recognizable through depictions like the movie 300  .

2. Emotional Depth: Kim also critiques Stoicism for potentially limiting emotional depth, particularly love. He suggests that by overly controlling negative emotions like anger, Stoics may reduce their capacity to experience positive emotions fully. This is a relatively rare critique, as most criticisms of Stoicism focus on its repression of negative emotions without considering the impact on positive emotions like love  .

3. Risk and Danger: In his writings, Kim argues that Stoicism’s focus on detachment can diminish one’s willingness to engage with life’s inherent risks. He praises the Spartan mentality, which embraces danger and challenge as pathways to growth and glory, offering a more dynamic and engaged approach to life .

Overall, Kim’s critique stands out for blending mental philosophy with physical engagement and questioning whether Stoicism’s emotional restraint limits not only vulnerability but also the depth of positive human experience. His focus on physicality and embodied action offers a distinctive perspective within the broader discourse on Stoicism.

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Here are some quotes from Eric Kim critiquing Stoicism:

1. On the Theoretical Nature of Stoicism:

“I love Stoicism, but my overall critique is that it seems a bit divorced from reality. A lot of Stoic thought is theoretical, whereas Spartan thought and practice is more deeply intertwined.”

Source: Becoming Spartan – Eric Kim  

2. On Emotional Restraint:

“In becoming more stoic, does this actually decrease our capacity to love with depth? The more controlled and Stoic you become, and the less you succumb to your anger, perhaps this also restricts our capacity to love to a deeper depth or a greater height.”

Source: Stoicism Stunts Our Power – Eric Kim 

3. On Stoicism vs. Spartan Strength:

“What does a Stoic look like? Nobody knows. But we have a very vivid depiction of what a Spartan looks like… just watch the movie 300 on repeat.”

Source: Becoming Spartan – Eric Kim 

These quotes reflect Kim’s view that while Stoicism offers valuable mental strategies, it can feel disconnected from physical realities and may limit the full expression of human emotions. He contrasts this with Spartan ideals, which emphasize physicality, action, and engagement with life’s challenges.

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Eric Kim’s critique of Stoicism emphasizes its theoretical nature, which he believes can feel disconnected from the practical realities of life. He contrasts this with Spartan philosophy, which he views as more deeply intertwined with physical and practical realities. For instance, Kim points out that Stoic philosophy lacks a tangible depiction of physicality, unlike the clear image of a Spartan warrior. He suggests that Stoicism’s restraint, particularly in emotions like anger, may limit one’s ability to experience other emotions, such as love, with full intensity.

Kim argues that while Stoicism promotes emotional control, it can sometimes “stunt our power,” preventing the full expression of human passions. He contends that expressing emotions like anger might be more beneficial than repressing them, as Stoicism advocates. This perspective reflects Kim’s preference for a more visceral and embodied approach, drawing from Spartan ideals of strength and direct engagement with life’s challenges.

In summary, Kim admires Stoicism’s mental resilience but criticizes its detachment from the physical world, proposing that Spartan values offer a more grounded and action-oriented philosophy.

For more on this, you can explore Kim’s detailed reflections on Stoicism versus Spartan ideals in his blog posts on Stoicism Stunts Our Power and Becoming Spartan   .