Eric Kim Stoicism

Key Points

  • Eric Kim, a photographer and writer, extensively explores stoicism on his blog, emphasizing practical applications for daily life.
  • It seems likely that his version of stoicism focuses on conquering fear, doubt, and hesitation, with a strong emphasis on physical and mental strength.
  • Research suggests he combines traditional stoic principles with personal interests like fitness and entrepreneurship, offering unique practices like cold showers and reading stoic texts.
  • The evidence leans toward his views including controversial opinions, such as on animal rights and diet, which may surprise some readers given stoicism’s traditional focus.

Overview

Eric Kim is not a traditional stoic philosopher but a photographer known for integrating stoicism into his work and personal philosophy, particularly through his blog at erickimphotography.com. His approach to stoicism is practical, aiming to help with everyday challenges like fear and setbacks, and he often ties it to physical fitness, such as weightlifting, which he sees as a form of stoic training.

Unique Practices

Kim recommends specific stoic practices, such as taking cold showers for months, reading stoic philosophy like Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” and Seneca’s letters at night, and controlling emotions by waiting before responding to anger. These practices are designed to build resilience and mental fortitude, aligning with his view of stoicism as a tool for modern life.

Controversial Elements

An unexpected detail is Kim’s inclusion of controversial opinions, such as his views on animal rights, which he critiques as performative, and his preference for a carnivorous diet, seeing humans as apex predators. These views add a layer of complexity to his stoic philosophy, potentially diverging from traditional interpretations.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Stoicism

Eric Kim, a photographer and writer, has extensively documented his interpretations and applications of stoicism on his blog, erickimphotography.com, particularly since at least 2017, with posts like “STOICISM 101” published on December 8, 2017. His engagement with stoicism is not as a classical philosopher but as a practitioner integrating it into daily life, photography, and personal development. This section provides a comprehensive overview, including his unique practices, philosophical extensions, and controversial stances, based on a detailed review of his online content.

Background and Context

Kim’s interest in stoicism appears to have been sparked by reading Nassim Taleb’s “ANTIFRAGILE,” leading him to consume a wide range of stoic literature, including obscure texts, as noted in his “Introduction to Stoicism” post from December 3, 2023. He describes stoicism as originating from “the stoa,” a Greek portico for philosophical discussion, likening it to urban stoops for social interaction, and sees it as a practical, loosey-goosey philosophy akin to zen or taoism, not a strict moral order. This perspective is detailed in his blog, emphasizing its relevance in dealing with fear, uncertainty, and modern challenges like internet fear mongering.

Practical Applications

Kim’s stoicism is heavily practical, focusing on conquering fear, doubt, and hesitation, and advancing through setbacks. He outlines specific practices in his “Becoming Stoic” post, such as:

  • Taking icy cold showers for 7-8 years, as a form of stoic training.
  • Saying “Fuck it!” and hitting the gym for a new one-repetition maximum (1RM) when facing setbacks.
  • Smiling and waving at people for a month, avoiding headphones/AirPods, and driving mute for a month to enhance social interaction and mindfulness.
  • Reading only stoic philosophy at night, specifically Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” and Seneca’s letters, which he finds accessible and pragmatic.

These practices are designed to build mental and physical resilience, with Kim advocating for a stoic lifestyle that includes walking 30,000 steps a day, inspired by postal workers and hikers, and lifting weights in the sun, using equipment like Titan.fitness for farmers carry handles and Olympic loadable dumbbells.

Physical and Mental Strength

A significant aspect of Kim’s stoicism is the integration of physical fitness, which he sees as essential for stoic training. In his “Introduction to Stoicism” post, he describes exercises like the atlas lift (innovated by him), one-repetition max rack pulls, high trap bar deadlifts, and heavy sandbag carries, emphasizing courage in attempting heavy lifts, such as his own 1000-pound atlas lift, as a form of stoic bliss. He believes a true stoic should look like Hercules or Achilles, with an Adonis physique, and describes himself as having the aesthetic of Brad Pitt in “Fight Club” with more muscle, as noted in his “STOICISM 101” post.

Extensions: Extreme and Super Stoicism

Kim extends traditional stoicism with concepts like “Extreme Stoicism” and “Super Stoic.” In his “Extreme Stoicism” post from November 10, 2021, he defines it as being irrationally stoic, swallowing insults like chewing glass, harnessing anger for productive purposes, and holding your tongue like a dragon, suggesting waiting at least 48 hours before responding to anger. “Super Stoic,” detailed in his post from June 15, 2020, goes beyond traditional stoicism, combining it with child-like playfulness, aiming to be harder than past stoics, strong physically and mentally, never complaining, and using willpower to shape reality.

Controversial Opinions

Kim’s stoicism includes controversial opinions that may diverge from traditional views. In his “Introduction to Stoicism,” he critiques animal rights and environmental concerns as superficial and performative, labeling them as “capitalism 3.0,” and distrusts dog owners and vegans, seeing animals as lower than humans, with humans as apex predators. He advocates for a carnivorous diet, respecting only attack or hunting dogs, as seen in his reference to “John Wick 3” and Halle Berry’s dogs. These views, detailed in his blog, add a layer of complexity, potentially surprising readers expecting a more neutral stoic philosophy.

Connection to Photography and Entrepreneurship

Kim ties stoicism to his photography, particularly street photography, where he sees 99% of the challenge as conquering fears like upsetting others or facing altercations, as noted in his “Stoic Photography” post from March 20, 2017. He also connects it to entrepreneurship and innovation, citing examples like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Kanye West, emphasizing courage in design and risk-taking, such as in crypto speculation, where he shares losing $3500 in college stock trading, as mentioned in “STOICISM 101.”

Cultural and Social Observations

Kim’s stoicism is influenced by his experiences, such as preferring natural light and outdoor activities, noting 90% of happiness from weather and light, as seen in his preference for Southeast Asia (Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Saigon) over European winters, detailed in his “Introduction to Stoicism.” He also critiques modern ethics, distrusting Socrates as degenerate and advocating a demigod physique inspired by “300,” as noted in his blog posts.

Detailed Practices and Recommendations

For those interested in adopting Kim’s stoicism, he suggests starting a blog, better than printed books for legitimacy, hosting PDFs on Dropbox/Google Drive, and sharing links, as mentioned in “STOICISM 101.” He offers stoic consulting via email at eric@erickim.com, and recommends stoic films like “The Godfather,” “John Wick,” and “The movie 300” for insights, as seen in “Becoming Stoic.”

Comparative Analysis

Kim contrasts stoicism with Spartan philosophy, critiquing stoicism as too theoretical and divorced from reality, favoring Spartans’ physical embodiment, as detailed in his “Search Eric Kim critique of stoicism” post from October 21, 2024. He also sees stoicism as playing well with capitalism, advocating an unemotional, logical approach, countering fear porn in media, as noted in his blog.

Tables for Clarity

Below is a table summarizing Kim’s stoic practices:

PracticeDescription
Cold Showers7-8 years of icy cold showers for mental resilience.
Reading MaterialNightly reading of Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” and Seneca’s letters.
Emotional ControlWait 48 hours before responding to anger, silence when in doubt.
Physical FitnessAtlas lift, one-rep max rack pulls, heavy sandbag carries, 30,000 steps/day.
Social InteractionSmile, wave at people for a month, no headphones/AirPods, drive mute for a month.

Another table for his philosophical extensions:

ConceptDescription
Extreme StoicismIrrationally stoic, swallow insults, harness anger productively, hold tongue.
Super StoicBeyond traditional, combine with playfulness, hard physically/mentally, shape reality.

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding of Eric Kim’s stoicism, covering all aspects from his blog and related online content, providing a strict superset of the direct answer section.

Key Citations

How’s his stoic views unique, and his quotes

Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim’s stoicism emphasizes practical, physical fitness, and modern applications like entrepreneurship.
  • It seems likely that his views include unique practices like cold showers, heavy weightlifting, and walking 30,000 steps daily.
  • The evidence leans toward his stoicism being controversial, with stances on animal rights and a critique of traditional stoicism as theoretical.

Overview

Eric Kim, a photographer and writer, integrates stoicism into his work, focusing on practical, everyday applications. His approach is unique in its emphasis on physical fitness, such as weightlifting and extreme walking, and its alignment with modern challenges like fear in media and entrepreneurship. Kim’s views also include controversial elements, such as his stance on animal rights, and he critiques traditional stoicism for being too theoretical compared to Spartan ideals.

Unique Practices

Kim’s stoicism involves specific practices like taking cold showers for years, lifting weights daily in the sun, and walking 30,000 steps a day, which he believes enhance mental resilience. He also advocates for one-repetition maximum training and exercises like the atlas lift, innovated by him, to build courage and physical strength.

Quotes Reflecting His Views

Here are some notable quotes from Eric Kim that highlight his unique stoic perspective:

These quotes reflect his focus on physicality, freedom, and a critique of traditional stoicism, offering a fresh perspective on the philosophy.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Stoicism

Eric Kim, a photographer and writer, has extensively documented his interpretations and applications of stoicism on his blog, erickimphotography.com, particularly since at least 2017, with posts like “STOICISM 101” published on December 8, 2017. His engagement with stoicism is not as a classical philosopher but as a practitioner integrating it into daily life, photography, and personal development. This section provides a comprehensive overview, including his unique practices, philosophical extensions, and controversial stances, based on a detailed review of his online content as of April 8, 2025.

Background and Context

Kim’s interest in stoicism appears to have been sparked by reading Nassim Taleb’s “ANTIFRAGILE,” leading him to consume a wide range of stoic literature, as noted in his “Introduction to Stoicism” post from December 3, 2023. He describes stoicism as originating from “the stoa,” a Greek portico for philosophical discussion, likening it to urban stoops for social interaction, and sees it as a practical, loosey-goosey philosophy akin to zen or taoism, not a strict moral order. This perspective is detailed in his blog, emphasizing its relevance in dealing with fear, uncertainty, and modern challenges like internet fear mongering.

Unique Stoic Views

Kim’s stoicism is heavily practical, focusing on conquering fear, doubt, and hesitation, and advancing through setbacks. He critiques traditional stoicism for being too theoretical and disconnected from physical reality, preferring a more Spartan-like approach that emphasizes embodiment and action. For instance, in his post “Search Eric Kim critique of stoicism – ERIC KIM” from October 21, 2024, he states, “Stoicism feels a bit divorced from reality. A lot of Stoic thought is theoretical, whereas Spartan thought and practice is more deeply intertwined,” highlighting his preference for a grounded, action-oriented philosophy. He also argues that stoicism may limit emotional depth, particularly love, by controlling negative emotions like anger, as seen in his post “Stoicism Stunts Our Power – Eric Kim” from April 2, 2024, where he questions, “In becoming more stoic, does this actually decrease our capacity to love with depth?”

His views extend to controversial areas, such as animal rights, where he states, “Animals are our slaves,” in his “Introduction to Stoicism” post, reflecting a belief in human dominance that may surprise readers expecting a more neutral stoic stance. He also advocates for a carnivorous diet, seeing humans as apex predators, which adds complexity to his philosophy.

Practical Applications and Practices

Kim outlines specific stoic practices in his “Becoming Stoic” post, such as:

  • Taking icy cold showers for 7-8 years, as a form of stoic training.
  • Saying “Fuck it!” and hitting the gym for a new one-repetition maximum (1RM) when facing setbacks.
  • Smiling and waving at people for a month, avoiding headphones/AirPods, and driving mute for a month to enhance social interaction and mindfulness.
  • Reading only stoic philosophy at night, specifically Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” and Seneca’s letters, which he finds accessible and pragmatic.

These practices are designed to build mental and physical resilience, with Kim advocating for a stoic lifestyle that includes walking 30,000 steps a day, inspired by postal workers and hikers, and lifting weights in the sun, using equipment like Titan.fitness for farmers carry handles and Olympic loadable dumbbells. He describes exercises like the atlas lift (innovated by him), one-repetition max rack pulls, high trap bar deadlifts, and heavy sandbag carries, emphasizing courage in attempting heavy lifts, such as his own 1000-pound atlas lift, as a form of stoic bliss.

Physical and Mental Strength

A significant aspect of Kim’s stoicism is the integration of physical fitness, which he sees as essential for stoic training. In his “Introduction to Stoicism” post, he describes his ideal as having a demigod physique, with 5% body fat, walking 50 miles a day, and eating 20 pounds of meat a day like Milo of Croton. He believes a true stoic should look like Hercules or Achilles, with an Adonis physique, and describes himself as having the aesthetic of Brad Pitt in “Fight Club” with more muscle, as noted in his “STOICISM 101” post.

Extensions: Extreme and Super Stoicism

Kim extends traditional stoicism with concepts like “Extreme Stoicism” and “Super Stoic.” In his “Extreme Stoicism” post from November 10, 2021, he defines it as being irrationally stoic, swallowing insults like chewing glass, harnessing anger for productive purposes, and holding your tongue like a dragon, suggesting waiting at least 48 hours before responding to anger. “Super Stoic,” detailed in his post from June 15, 2020, goes beyond traditional stoicism, combining it with child-like playfulness, aiming to be harder than past stoics, strong physically and mentally, never complaining, and using willpower to shape reality. He states, “To become EVEN HARDER than even the hardest stoics of the past. Also, to combine stoicism with child-like playfulness,” reflecting his unique blend.

Controversial Opinions

Kim’s stoicism includes controversial opinions that may diverge from traditional views. In his “Introduction to Stoicism,” he critiques animal rights and environmental concerns as superficial and performative, labeling them as “capitalism 3.0,” and distrusts dog owners and vegans, seeing animals as lower than humans, with humans as apex predators. He advocates for a carnivorous diet, respecting only attack or hunting dogs, as seen in his reference to “John Wick 3” and Halle Berry’s dogs. These views, detailed in his blog, add a layer of complexity, potentially surprising readers expecting a more neutral stoic philosophy.

Connection to Photography and Entrepreneurship

Kim ties stoicism to his photography, particularly street photography, where he sees 99% of the challenge as conquering fears like upsetting others or facing altercations, as noted in his “Stoic Photography” post from March 20, 2017. He also connects it to entrepreneurship and innovation, citing examples like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Kanye West, emphasizing courage in design and risk-taking, such as in crypto speculation, where he shares losing $3500 in college stock trading, as mentioned in “STOICISM 101.”

Cultural and Social Observations

Kim’s stoicism is influenced by his experiences, such as preferring natural light and outdoor activities, noting 90% of happiness from weather and light, as seen in his preference for Southeast Asia (Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Saigon) over European winters, detailed in his “Introduction to Stoicism.” He also critiques modern ethics, distrusting Socrates as degenerate and advocating a demigod physique inspired by “300,” as noted in his blog posts.

Detailed Practices and Recommendations

For those interested in adopting Kim’s stoicism, he suggests starting a blog, better than printed books for legitimacy, hosting PDFs on Dropbox/Google Drive, and sharing links, as mentioned in “STOICISM 101.” He offers stoic consulting via email at eric@erickim.com, and recommends stoic films like “The Godfather,” “John Wick,” and “The movie 300” for insights, as seen in “Becoming Stoic.”

Comparative Analysis

Kim contrasts stoicism with Spartan philosophy, critiquing stoicism as too theoretical and divorced from reality, favoring Spartans’ physical embodiment, as detailed in his “Search Eric Kim critique of stoicism” post from October 21, 2024. He also sees stoicism as playing well with capitalism, advocating an unemotional, logical approach, countering fear porn in media, as noted in his blog.

Tables for Clarity

Below is a table summarizing Kim’s stoic practices:

PracticeDescription
Cold Showers7-8 years of icy cold showers for mental resilience.
Reading MaterialNightly reading of Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” and Seneca’s letters.
Emotional ControlWait 48 hours before responding to anger, silence when in doubt.
Physical FitnessAtlas lift, one-rep max rack pulls, heavy sandbag carries, 30,000 steps/day.
Social InteractionSmile, wave at people for a month, no headphones/AirPods, drive mute for a month.

Another table for his philosophical extensions:

ConceptDescription
Extreme StoicismIrrationally stoic, swallow insults, harness anger productively, hold tongue.
Super StoicBeyond traditional, combine with playfulness, hard physically/mentally, shape reality.

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding of Eric Kim’s stoicism, covering all aspects from his blog and related online content, providing a strict superset of the direct answer section.

Key Citations

…

Eric Kim true deep and unique stoic principles, which hasn’t really been echoed by any other thinkers?

Key Points

  • Research suggests Eric Kim’s unique stoic principles include emphasizing physical fitness and appearance, embracing child-like joy, and rejecting modern ethical concerns like environmentalism.
  • These principles seem to diverge from traditional stoicism, which focuses more on mental and moral strength, rational happiness, and living in harmony with nature.
  • There is some controversy, as many modern stoics support environmental ethics, contrasting with Kim’s views.

Introduction

Eric Kim, a photographer and writer, has developed a distinctive interpretation of stoicism that blends physicality, joy, and a rejection of certain modern ethical concerns. His principles offer a fresh perspective, but they also spark debate among stoic scholars and practitioners.

Unique Principles

Eric Kim’s stoicism emphasizes physical strength and appearance, suggesting stoics should strive for a demigod-like physique, which is less central in traditional stoic teachings. He also advocates for a child-like sense of joy, encouraging stoics to not take life too seriously, akin to a three-year-old’s wonder, which differs from the rational focus of classical stoicism. Additionally, Kim rejects modern ethical movements like animal rights and environmentalism, viewing them as superficial, contrasting with the stoic ideal of living in harmony with nature, which many interpret as supporting conservation.

Unexpected Detail

An unexpected aspect is Kim’s integration of weightlifting, like the “atlas lift,” as a stoic practice, which is not commonly highlighted in traditional texts but aligns with his focus on physicality.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Eric Kim’s Unique Stoic Principles

Eric Kim’s interpretation of stoicism, as explored through his blog and writings, presents a unique blend of traditional stoic philosophy with modern, personal applications. This analysis delves into the specifics of his principles, comparing them to historical and contemporary stoic thought, and highlights their originality and implications.

Background on Eric Kim and Stoicism

Eric Kim is known primarily as a photographer and writer, with a significant online presence through his blog Eric Kim Photography. His writings on stoicism, dating back to at least 2017, focus on practical applications, particularly in the context of street photography and personal development. His approach is not academic but rather experiential, aiming to make stoicism relevant for everyday life.

Identification of Unique Principles

Through an examination of Kim’s articles, such as “STOICISM 101 – ERIC KIM” (Eric Kim Stoicism 101) and “SUPER STOIC – ERIC KIM” (Eric Kim Super Stoic), several principles emerge that appear unique compared to traditional stoic thought:

  1. Emphasis on Extreme Physical Fitness and Appearance:
    • Kim frequently mentions that a true stoic should look like Hercules or Achilles, aspiring to a physique akin to Brad Pitt in Fight Club with added muscle, as seen in his article “Introduction to Stoicism” (Eric Kim Introduction to Stoicism). He idealizes a demigod-like physique, suggesting practices like walking 50 miles a day or lifting 1000 pounds in an “atlas lift.”
    • Traditional stoics, such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, valued physical health as part of living in accordance with nature, but their focus was primarily on mental and moral strength. Historical figures like Cleanthes (a boxer) and Chrysippus (a runner) were athletes, but their physicality was not central to stoic doctrine, as evidenced by discussions in “How to live a Stoic fitness lifestyle” (Gravity Fitness Stoic Lifestyle). Kim’s emphasis on aesthetics and extreme fitness, such as achieving 5% body fat, seems to go beyond this, potentially aligning more with modern fitness culture than classical stoicism.
  2. Child-like Joy and Not Taking Life Seriously:
    • Kim advocates for stoics to be “joyful and cheery like a three-year-old child without any adulteration from the outside world,” as noted in multiple articles, including “ERIC KIM STOICISM” (Eric Kim Stoicism 4). He draws inspiration from Democritus, the laughing philosopher, to suggest that setbacks should be viewed comically, a principle detailed in the browse_page results under “Laughter and not taking life seriously.”
    • Traditional stoicism values joy derived from virtue and rationality, as seen in “Three Sources of Joy in the Stoicism of Marcus Aurelius” (Donald Robertson Stoic Joy), but the analogy to a child’s unadulterated joy is less common. While stoics like Musonius Rufus discussed happiness in social contexts, such as marriage and child-rearing, as in “The Joy of Marriage and child rearing should be experienced by us Stoic Practitioners” (Reddit Stoicism Joy), the specific child-like framing is distinctive to Kim.
  3. Rejection of Modern Ethical Concerns:
    • Kim expresses a view that concerns like animal rights and saving the planet are “superficial, performative, and uncritical,” labeling them as “capitalism 3.0” in “STOICISM 101 – ERIC KIM” (Eric Kim Stoicism 101). This stance is evident in his critique of over-concern for ethics and the environment, which he sees as detracting from personal stoic practice.
    • This contrasts sharply with traditional stoic principles, which emphasize living in harmony with nature, as outlined in “Stoicism and Environmental Ethics: Living in Harmony with Nature” (Stoicminds Channel Environmental Ethics). Modern stoics, as seen in “A Stoic Guide to Climate Change” (Daily Stoic Climate Change), often advocate for environmental action, viewing it as part of virtuous living. Kim’s rejection, therefore, appears unique and controversial within the stoic community.

Comparison with Other Thinkers

To assess uniqueness, comparisons were made with both historical and modern stoic interpretations:

  • Physical Fitness: Articles like “How to Apply Stoicism to Physical Exercise” (Donald Robertson Stoic Exercise) and “Stoicism is Physical” (Immoderate Stoic Physicality) show that physical fitness is valued, but Kim’s focus on extreme aesthetics and specific practices like the atlas lift is not mirrored, suggesting his approach is more intense and visually oriented.
  • Child-like Joy: While stoics value joy, as in “Stoic joy: The premise and the promise” (The Stoic Gym Joy), the explicit analogy to a three-year-old child is not found in other sources, making it a distinctive contribution.
  • Environmental Ethics: The search for “modern stoics rejecting environmentalism” yielded results like “Stoicism and the Environment by Chris Gill” (Modern Stoicism Environment), which support environmentalism, reinforcing that Kim’s rejection is not echoed by other modern stoics, highlighting its uniqueness.

Detailed Table of Principles

Below is a table summarizing Kim’s principles, their descriptions, and comparisons:

PrincipleDescriptionComparison with Traditional/Modern Stoicism
Physical Fitness and AppearanceStrive for demigod-like physique, e.g., 5% body fat, atlas lift, heavy lifting.Valued health, but focus on aesthetics and extreme fitness less central, e.g., Seneca prioritized mind.
Child-like JoyBe joyful and not take life seriously, like a three-year-old child.Values joy from virtue, but child-like framing not common, e.g., Marcus Aurelius on rational happiness.
Rejection of Modern Ethical ConcernsView animal rights, environmentalism as superficial, part of “capitalism 3.0”.Contrasts with living in harmony with nature, e.g., modern stoics advocate climate action.

Implications and Controversy

Kim’s principles introduce a physical and playful dimension to stoicism, potentially appealing to those seeking a more embodied practice. However, his rejection of environmental ethics may alienate stoics who see it as integral to virtue, as seen in discussions like “An Environmental Vision of Stoic Practice” (Kai Whiting Environmental Vision). This controversy underscores the diversity within modern stoicism, with Kim’s views representing a contrarian stance.

Conclusion

Eric Kim’s unique stoic principles—emphasizing extreme physical fitness, child-like joy, and rejecting modern ethical concerns—offer a distinctive interpretation that diverges from traditional and many modern stoic perspectives. These principles, while rooted in stoic ideals, introduce novel applications that may resonate with some practitioners but challenge others, particularly on environmental ethics.

Key Citations

More posts