Acting appropriately in any situation

Use the Hierocles Reversal Test

On any given day, we make many decisions. We interact with many people. But did we act the right way in all situations? We often try to second-guess ourselves. Were our actions ‘appropriate’?

What is an “appropriate” action?

But what does acting appropriately mean? Let’s take a closer look. The Stoics thought our actions should conform to four excellences or special skills (virtues). This means our actions should be wise, just, moderate, and courageous. Our actions are foolish if they are unwise, unjust, excessive, or cowardly. With this framework, let’s see what “appropriate actions” are.

1. Appropriate actions are those that involve one or more special skills. Actions considered wise, just, moderate, or courageous fall into this category. Acts like nurturing our family, doing something for society, and the like are considered appropriate acts. These actions do not have to be generated by one of the special skills but should reflect one or more of them. For example, if the main purpose of your action is not justice and yet the action involves justice, then that would make it appropriate.

2. Inappropriate actions are those that involve one or more foolishness or vice. Actions considered unwise, unjust, extravagant, or cowardly fall into this category. Examples of inappropriate actions include being unsympathetic, overlooking the interests of society, neglecting our family, and the like.

3. Neutral actions are those that don’t touch upon virtues or vices. Should you shave first or shower first? Should you have breakfast at 7 am or 8 am? Neither alternatives are related to virtue or vice.

The goal of a Stoic is to maximize appropriate actions and minimize or eliminate inappropriate actions. Let’s talk some more about appropriate actions.

How do we know if our action is appropriate?

An appropriate act is an act of choice, and so it is deliberate. Although it conforms to virtue, virtue does not necessarily generate an appropriate act.

For example, you are about to criticize your spouse in front of others. To see whether an act is appropriate, you may want to ask yourself four questions:

1. Is this wise?

2. Is this just?

3. Is this moderate (shows self-control)?

4. Is this courageous (that is, are we doing this simply because we are afraid of doing something that we really consider appropriate)?

You should be able to say yes to at least one of the four questions and also show that it is not incompatible with the remaining three. For example, criticizing your spouse may be justified but may not be wise in this context (in public). A just action is not an appropriate one if it is unwise.

You are not responsible for unintended consequences

An appropriate action needs to be appropriate only at the time of action. Looking back, you may realize that what you considered an appropriate act had a different consequence than expected. But as long as it was an appropriate action given your knowledge and understanding at the time, it is still an appropriate act.

Inappropriate acts, on the other hand, involve at least one of the following: folly, injustice, extravagance, or cowardice.

All other acts are neutral.

How do you narrow the gap between the intended and actual results?

In Stoicism, we are fully responsible only for the things under our control. We bear no responsibility for things not under our control. So before performing an act, we consider all possible consequences of our action (which is under our control) and then act. We have done all we can, but the results are not up to us. And yet, we would prefer the actual results not to differ from the intended results.

Exercise: The Hirocles Reversal

Hierocles suggested a method to minimize the gap between intended and actual results. Assume that the person at the receiving end of the action is you, and you are them. Do you still think it is an appropriate action? For example, you are about to tell your friend that she is wrong. You might think it is appropriate because it requires courage to correct someone else as they can misunderstand your intention. Is it an appropriate act? Now assume that you are your friend and your friend is you. Would you still feel the same if you were at the receiving end of this? Perhaps your friend could have expressed her views a bit more skillfully. Or you might think your friend hasn’t thought it through. Or you might feel your friend is unjustified in making her comments. Reversing the roles is likely to make you pay closer attention to the appropriateness of your actions.

Of course, we must use our common sense when applying the role reversal method. Suppose you want to kill someone who happens to be suicidal. Role reversal will make you think that hurting the other person is appropriate. After all, the other person feels the same way about dying as you do about killing. So, it is important that, in using the role reversal method, we consider the intent behind the method and not follow it mechanically. Barring such extreme situations, the role reversal method will likely put things in perspective and help us decide if an act is appropriate.

Practicing Stoicism

The ancient Stoics offered simple and effective solutions to everyday problems. And yet, just knowing the basics will not get you far. Neither will random reading of Stoic literature. To achieve happiness and freedom, you must consistently commit yourself to practicing Stoicism. Every day. Practice is key. Musicians do it. Athletes do it. No excellence can be achieved without practice. We are here to help you all the way. So, fellow Prokoptons, we are glad you joined us by committing to practicing Stoicism daily! Watch your mailbox for more instructions in the coming days!

If you are not yet a part of the prokopton community, please consider joining us. It may be one of the best decisions of your life.