The Dichotomy of Control
Do not worry about that which we cannot control, we all “know” the cliche, but what does this really mean? The concept sounds simple enough, but simple platitudes can often become dicey in practice. Understanding the Dichotomy of Control is crucial for you as an individual but also for your relationship with society.
The Dichotomy of Control (DOC) is the concept that there are some things within our direct control and some things outside of our control. For example, when we go outside, we can bring an umbrella with us in the event that it may rain, but we cannot control whether or not the rain actually falls.
The DOC has its origins in Stoic teachings from ancient Greece. On a voyage between Phoenicia and Peiraeus, Zeno of Citium’s ship sank along with all of its cargo. Suddenly, the once-wealthy trader was poor and stranded in Athens. Ultimately, while visiting a bookstore, he was introduced to the philosophy of Socrates and other great thinkers. The lessons of these philosophers and his own shipwreck dramatically changed the course of his life.
The events led Zeno to develop the principles that we now know as Stoicism.
When you actually stop and think about it, there is very little within your direct control. The…
