How does Stoicism relate to ikigai?
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick welcomes back Ken Mogi for an insightful discussion on Stoicism and its connection to the Japanese philosophy of ikigai.
Podcast Highlights
- Authoring a book on Stoicism. Ken shares what inspired him to write it.
- Intriguing book dedication. Ken shares why he chose to dedicate his book to the first butterfly he saw in childhood.
- Exploring the meaning of Stoicism. Ken explains what it means to be Stoic.
- The first step toward embracing Stoicism. Ken shares how to begin practicing Stoicism.
- Ikigai and Stoicism. Ken shares the connection between ikigai and Stoicism.
- Kaiseki. Ken explains what kaiseki is and how he connects it to Stoicism.
- Stoic thinking fosters creativity. Ken explains why he believes every Stoic person is creative.
- Stoicism and AI. Ken discusses how Stoicism can be helpful during times of technological development.
- Being someone’s Plato. Ken explains what it means to be someone’s Plato.
Ken Mogi
Ken Mogi is a neuroscientist, researcher, university lecturer, author, broadcaster, and media commentator. He has published more than 30 papers on cognition and neuroscience and has authored over 100 books including The Little Book of Ikigai, The Way of Nagomi: Live more harmoniously the Japanese way, and recently released Think Like A Stoic - The Ancient Path to a Life Well Lived. He has also been a regular guest on the ikigai podcast.
Authoring a book on Stoicism
Ken explains that his lifelong interest in Stoicism and Greek philosophy inspired his book, Think Like A Stoic - The Ancient Path to a Life Well Lived. He argues that Socrates is the true father of Stoicism and feels a deep connection to Socrates’ outlook on life, which he knows primarily through Plato’s writings. Ken notes that in Japan, it’s common for students to read Greek philosophers from a young age.
He also draws parallels between Stoic principles and Japanese culture—particularly the samurai spirit, which emphasizes living for something greater than oneself and aligning with the natural order. To him, Stoicism stands in contrast to modern self-centered attitudes and closely reflects the Japanese philosophy of life.
Intriguing book dedication
Ken explains that he dedicated his book to the first butterfly he saw as a child because he wanted a poetic and meaningful opening. The butterfly symbolizes his sense of wonder about the world—a feeling of curiosity and awe that comes from experiencing life without prior knowledge. He likens this wonder to other early, memorable encounters and connects it to Stoic philosophy, which values deep respect for the world and its natural order.
Exploring the meaning of Stoicism
Ken explains that Stoicism, which originates from stoa (meaning ‘painted porch’), is not a cult of personality. Unlike modern tendencies to idolize individuals—such as celebrities or philosophers—Stoicism isn’t centered on any one person. Although Socrates is sometimes considered its spiritual father, the philosophy itself transcends individual figures. Ken emphasizes that ideas like Stoicism or ikigai are greater than any single person, representing universal concepts that go beyond their founders or popular proponents.
The first step toward embracing Stoicism
Ken explains that as you go through life, you learn to expect less from others. When you’re young, you might hope people—like dates, bosses, or family members—will act the way you want, but that’s unrealistic. No one owes you anything, and disappointment often comes from expecting otherwise. He connects this to Stoicism, describing it as a way of living in harmony with the laws of nature, which recognize that people behave according to their own nature, not your expectations.
“Stoicism has this image that you're alone and isolated with your thoughts and you're thinking I've got to be this strong person. But Stoicism comes from interactions with others, understanding people, and developing resilience, but also understanding I have expectations–these are my expectations and I should manage them, rather than thinking people owe me or people should do this for me.” - Nicholas Kemp
Ikigai and Stoicism
Ken explains that ikigai is about understanding life’s alignment with greater forces—whether nature, society, or the universe. He emphasizes that living in harmony with these larger elements is key to a genuine understanding of ikigai. Drawing from Japanese culture, he notes how sumo wrestlers show humility and respect, symbolizing the idea that no one is truly special or separate, and that everyone is part of a greater whole.
This concept, he says, closely parallels Stoicism, which also values living in accordance with nature and reason. Ken concludes that combining ikigai’s Eastern philosophy with Stoicism’s Western roots offers a powerful way to bridge the two cultural perspectives on living meaningfully and harmoniously.
Kaiseki
Ken describes kaiseki as one of the world’s most exquisite and refined cuisines—often expensive, yet deeply rooted in simplicity and nature. Unlike traditional French cuisine, where chefs impose their interpretations and mask natural flavors with heavy sauces, kaiseki emphasizes minimal seasoning—using only essentials like salt, soy sauce, or pepper—to highlight the pure taste of the ingredients themselves.
This approach reflects the belief that food is a gift from nature. Ken draws a parallel between this philosophy and Stoicism, noting that while kaiseki may appear luxurious in price, its essence is humble and stoic, embodying the ideal of living in harmony with nature.
Stoic thinking fosters creativity
Ken argues that creativity and Stoicism are deeply connected because both involve the pursuit of truth about ourselves and the world. He points out that many great creators—like Albert Einstein, Johann Sebastian Bach, and even Mozart—embodied stoic qualities such as discipline and dedication. Despite the common misconception that stoic people lack creativity, Ken suggests this is an image problem, not a reality.
True creativity, he explains, often comes from choosing the more challenging path, since it pushes individuals to grow, persevere, and ultimately uncover deeper truths—hallmarks of both Stoicism and creative mastery.
“When you have two roads before you—one easy and one difficult—choose the difficult road if you can, because that’s when you become truly creative.” - Ken Mogi
Stoicism and AI
Ken explains that Stoicism is a recurring theme in the works of novelist Kazuo Ishiguro, particularly in The Remains of the Day, where the butler Stevens hides his emotions—a deeply stoic act. Ishiguro also explores the idea of artificial stoicism in Klara and the Sun, where an AI character shows restraint and kindness toward humans. Ken suggests that this concept is highly relevant today, as society faces challenges in developing AI that behaves ethically and in alignment with human values.
He notes that even experts like Geoffrey Hinton, known as the godfather of AI, admit uncertainty about how to achieve this balance. Ken concludes that studying Stoicism could offer valuable insights for ensuring AI acts in harmony with both humanity and the laws of nature, making it an urgent and essential area of research.
Being someone’s Plato
Ken shares his belief that a person’s afterlife exists in the memories of those who remember them, rather than in a traditional heaven. He explains that when we honor and write about loved ones—like parents, grandparents, or teachers—we keep their spirit alive through remembrance.
Drawing a parallel to philosophy, he notes that Socrates’ “afterlife” lives on through Plato, since everything we know about Socrates comes from Plato’s writings. In this way, to remember someone is to give them an enduring afterlife through memory and legacy.
Conclusion
Being part of a greater whole is one of the key similarities between ikigai and Stoicism. Both philosophies emphasize the importance of living in harmony with the world around us, encouraging acceptance of things as they are and alignment with the natural order of life.