The Dichotomy of Control

Why the Dichotomy of Control Matters Today

The Dichotomy of Control is one of the most transformative principles of Stoic philosophy, first articulated by Epictetus in his timeless work, the Enchiridion (The Handbook of Epictetus). At its core, this concept teaches us to divide life into two clear categories:

1️⃣ Things we can control – our thoughts, judgments, desires, and actions.
2️⃣ Things we cannot control – external events, other people’s opinions, health, wealth, and outcomes.

By focusing only on what we can control, we unlock freedom from anxiety, greater emotional resilience, and a deeper sense of peace. But is this idea too simplistic? Can we really separate life into just two categories? And how can we apply this ancient wisdom in our fast-paced modern lives?

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

In this article, I’ll explore:

• ✅ The origins of the Dichotomy of Control in Stoic philosophy.
• ✅ Its meaning and logical foundation (including debates about partial control).
• ✅ Common criticisms and modern interpretations.
• ✅ Practical steps to apply the Dichotomy of Control in daily life with real-world examples.

Let’s dive in and discover how this Stoic principle can help us live with clarity, purpose, and tranquility.

Epictetus and the Birth of the Concept

The Dichotomy of Control is most clearly articulated by Epictetus, a Roman Stoic philosopher born around 50 AD. Born into slavery, Epictetus gained his freedom and became a leading thinker of Stoicism, a philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in the 3rd century BC. His teachings, recorded by his student Arrian in the Discourses and the Enchiridion, emphasize practical wisdom for living a good life.

Epictetus opens the Enchiridion with this foundational idea:

"Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing."

— Epictetus, Enchiridion Chapter 1, Trans. Robin Hard

The Greek phrase eph’ ēmin—translated as "within our power" or "up to us"—is central here. It emphasizes causality rather than absolute control, meaning we are responsible for what depends on us, like our character and choices.

Did Earlier Stoics Use This Concept?

While Epictetus formalized the Dichotomy of Control, elements of the idea likely existed in earlier Stoic thought. Here’s a quick look:

• Zeno of Citium (3rd century BC) and Chrysippus discussed fate and human agency, but they didn’t explicitly frame it as a dichotomy. Learn more about Zeno’s foundational role in Stoicism at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• Seneca, a Stoic contemporary of Epictetus, often advised focusing on what we can influence, as seen in his letters, available in translation at The Internet Classics Archive.

Marcus Aurelius, a later Stoic, reinforced the principle in his Meditations:

"You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

Though earlier Stoics laid the groundwork, Epictetus was the first to crystallize this idea into a clear, actionable framework.

At its essence, the Dichotomy of Control divides life into two categories:

• ✔ Within Our Control (Internal) – Our thoughts, judgments, desires, aversions, and actions.
• ✔ Outside Our Control (External) – Everything else, including health, wealth, reputation, other people’s behaviors, and external events.

Quick Breakdown: What’s In vs. Out of Your Control?

Examples of What You Can Control

Here are five key aspects Epictetus identifies as within our control, expanded with modern context:

1. Your Judgment: When someone criticizes you, you can choose to see it as their perspective rather than a personal attack.
2. Your Impulses: Feeling the urge to lash out? You can pause, breathe, and respond calmly instead.
3. Your Desires: Want to eat healthier? You can cultivate a stronger desire for well-being over temporary cravings.
4. Your Aversions: Afraid of failure? You can face it head-on by taking small risks and building resilience.
5. Your Mental Faculties: Struggling with focus? You can train your mind through practices like meditation or journaling.

Examples of What You Can’t Control

Conversely, Epictetus highlights areas beyond our influence, which we should accept rather than fret over:

1. Your Body: You can eat well and exercise, but genetics, accidents, or illnesses are beyond your control.
2. Material Possessions: You can work hard to earn money, but theft, economic downturns, or unexpected expenses can intervene.
3. Others’ Opinions: You can be kind and respectful, but how others perceive you depends on their biases and experiences.

The Dichotomy of Control is logically sound in its simplicity:

• ✔ If something is entirely dependent on us (e.g., our thoughts), it’s within our control.
• ✔ If it’s influenced by external factors (e.g., winning a game), it’s not fully ours to control.

This binary approach helps us prioritize energy on what matters and avoid wasting effort on what doesn’t.

The Trichotomy of Control Debate

Some modern Stoics, like William B. Irvine, argue for a Trichotomy of Control, suggesting a middle category for things we partially control:

• 🔹 No Control: Things like the weather or others’ thoughts.
• 🔹 Partial Control: Outcomes we can influence, like health (through diet) or job success (through effort)
• 🔹 Full Control: Our thoughts, judgments, and actions.

Example of the Trichotomy in Action

• No Control: You can’t control a rainy day ruining your outdoor event.
• Partial Control: You can train for a marathon (effort = within your control), but winning depends on competitors, weather, and luck (outcome = partially controllable).
• Full Control: You can choose to stay calm and focused during the race, regardless of the outcome.

Traditional Stoics counter this:

❌ If an outcome depends on any external factor, it’s not truly within our control.

❌ The dichotomy avoids false hope by keeping us focused on what’s entirely ours.

Epictetus would argue that even partial control is an illusion—your effort is yours, but the result isn’t. This debate highlights the nuance in applying Stoic principles today. For a deeper dive into this debate, check out Irvine’s book A Guide to the Good Life.

While powerful, the Dichotomy of Control faces several criticisms. Let’s explore them and the Stoic responses:

1️⃣ It’s Too Simplistic

Criticism: Critics argue it oversimplifies human psychology. Modern science shows that unconscious biases, biological factors (e.g., hormones), and past trauma can influence our thoughts and emotions.

Stoic Response: While biology plays a role, Stoicism emphasizes practice. Through discipline, we can gradually shape our internal responses, even if not perfectly.

2️⃣ It Promotes Passivity

Criticism: Some claim it discourages action: If we “accept” everything, why try to change the world?

Stoic Response: The Dichotomy encourages focused action. For example, you can’t control a corrupt system, but you can control your efforts to advocate for change. It’s about acting wisely, not giving up.

3️⃣ It Conflicts with Modern Free Will

Criticism: Stoicism’s deterministic undertones (e.g., belief in fate) may clash with contemporary views of free will.

Stoic Response: Stoics emphasize choice in response, aligning with modern Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on managing reactions rather than external events. Learn more about the Stoic influence on CBT at Psychology Today.

4️⃣ It Ignores Social Interconnectedness

Criticism: Some argue it’s too individualistic, ignoring how social systems shape our lives.

Stoic Response: Stoics like Marcus Aurelius stressed social duty (“We are made for cooperation”), suggesting the Dichotomy complements community engagement, not contradicts it.

When applied correctly, the Dichotomy of Control offers profound benefits:

• ✅ Emotional Freedom: You’ll stop worrying about things beyond your control, like others’ opinions or unexpected setbacks.
• ✅ Inner Peace: By focusing on your own actions and intentions, you’ll feel unburdened by external chaos.
• ✅ Resilience: No one can harm you emotionally if your happiness depends only on your choices.
• ✅ Clarity in Action: Every decision becomes intentional, not reactive.
• ✅ Reduced Stress: Letting go of the uncontrollable frees up mental energy for what truly matters.

Epictetus sums it up beautifully:

"If you have the right idea about what really belongs to you and what does not, you will never be subject to force or hindrance, you will never blame or criticize anyone, and everything you do will be done willingly."

Here’s a practical framework to embody the Dichotomy of Control, inspired by Epictetus’s teachings:

Step 1: Separate the Source from the Impression

Recognize that your perception of reality isn’t reality itself—it’s an impression colored by your mind.

🔹 Example: Stuck in traffic and feeling stressed? Remind yourself, “This stress is my impression, not the traffic itself.”

Step 2: Ask, “Is This Within My Control?”

Filter the situation into two categories:

✔ Within My Control: Focus your energy here.

✔ Outside My Control: Let it go with the mantra, “This is none of my concern.”

🔹 Example: Worried about a job interview outcome? You control your preparation, not the interviewer’s decision.

Step 3: Take Action or Screen Out

• If Controllable: Act decisively (e.g., practice for the interview).
• If Uncontrollable: Release it (e.g., don’t obsess over the outcome).

Real-World Examples of the Dichotomy of Control

Here are answers to some of the most searched questions about the Dichotomy of Control, optimized for user intent:

What Is the Dichotomy of Control?

It’s a Stoic principle from Epictetus that divides life into what we can control (thoughts, actions) and what we cannot (external events, others’ opinions), encouraging us to focus on the former for peace and resilience.

What Is the Dichotomy of Control in Stoicism?

In Stoicism, it’s the idea that inner tranquility comes from focusing on our judgments and actions while accepting external events as indifferent, as taught by Epictetus in the Enchiridion.

How Can I Apply the Dichotomy of Control in My Daily Life?

Use the three-step process above: separate impressions, identify what’s controllable, and act or let go. For example, when facing criticism, improve your behavior instead of changing the critic’s view.

Epictetus Dichotomy of Control Quotes

Here are some direct quotes from Epictetus to inspire your practice:

"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens."

"If it’s not one of the things that you control, be ready with the reaction, ‘Then it’s none of my concern.’"

The Dichotomy of Control isn’t just ancient wisdom—it’s highly relevant today:

🔹 In Psychology: It aligns with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which teaches patients to focus on controllable reactions rather than external triggers.

🔹 In Leadership: Leaders use it to focus on their decisions, not market fluctuations (e.g., “I control my strategy, not the economy”). Explore how Stoicism applies to leadership at Leading Sapiens.

🔹 In Personal Growth: It fosters a growth mindset, emphasizing process over outcomes (e.g., “I control my effort, not the result”). Check out Modern Stoicism for more contemporary applications.

The Dichotomy of Control remains a timeless Stoic tool for navigating life’s uncertainties. By focusing on what we can influence—our thoughts, actions, and intentions—we cultivate resilience, reduce stress, and live with greater intention.

Despite debates about a trichotomy or its simplicity, the core principle holds:

✅ Focus on what you control.

✅ Let go of what you don’t.

Ready to embody this wisdom? Start small: Next time you face a challenge, ask, “Is this within my control?” Then act—or let go. Over time, this practice will bring freedom, clarity, and unshakable tranquility—just as Epictetus promised.

Further Reading and Resources

Want to dive deeper into Stoicism and the Dichotomy of Control? Here are some trusted resources to explore:

Primary Texts:

• Read Epictetus’s Enchiridion and Discourses for free at Project Gutenberg.
• Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations is available at Project Gutenberg.
• Seneca’s Letters are accessible via The Internet Classics Archive.

Modern Interpretations:

• Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday offers daily reflections and practical Stoic exercises.
• Modern Stoicism provides articles, events like Stoic Week, and resources for applying Stoicism today.
• How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci offers a blog and book for modern Stoic practice.

Tools and Communities:

• Join the Reddit Stoicism Community for discussions and support.
• Explore Stoic Fellowship for curated resources and local Stoic groups.
• Use The Stoic App for daily Stoic reflections and journaling prompts.

Academic Resources:

• The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy offers a detailed overview of Stoicism.
• The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy provides accessible articles on Stoic concepts.

Enchiridion Chapter One, Epictetus, Translation by Robert Dobbin:

[1] We are responsible for some things, while there are others for which we cannot be held responsible. The former include our judgement, our impulse, our desire, aversion and our mental faculties in general; the latter include the body, material possessions, our reputation, status – in a word, anything not in our power to control.

[2] The former are naturally free, unconstrained and unimpeded, while the latter are frail, inferior, subject to restraint – and none of our affair.

[3] Remember that if you mistake what is naturally inferior for what is sovereign and free, and what is not your business for your own, you’ll meet with disappointment, grief and worry and be at odds with God and man. But if you have the right idea about what really belongs to you and what does not, you will never be subject to force or hindrance, you will never blame or criticize anyone, and everything you do will be done willingly. You won’t have a single rival, no one to hurt you, because you will be proof against harm of any kind.

[4] With rewards this substantial, be aware that a casual effort is not sufficient. Other ambitions will have to be sacrificed, altogether or at least for now. If you want these rewards at the same time that you are striving for power and riches, chances are you will not get to be rich and powerful while you aim for the other goal; and the rewards of freedom and happiness will elude you altogether.”

[5] So make a practice at once of saying to every strong impression: ‘An impression is all you are, not the source of the impression.’ Then test and assess it with your criteria, but one primarily: ask, ‘Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?’ And if it’s not one of the things that you control, be ready with the reaction, ‘Then it’s none of my concern.’