Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus's Doctrines in a Laboratory of Human Behavior

by James B. Stockdale

When physical disability from combat wounds brought about Jim Stockdale's early retirement from military life, he had the distinction of being the only three-star officer in the history of the navy to wear both aviator wings and the Congressional Medal of Honor. His writings have been many and varied, but all converge on the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, History, Psychology, Biography, War, Self Help

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

About the author

American and United States Navy vice admiral. He is one of the most decorated Navy officers who had been awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War where he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.

Stockdale was the highest-ranking naval officer held as a prisoner in North Vietnam. He had led aerial attacks from the carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Incident. On his next deployment, while Commander of Carrier Air Wing 16 aboard the carrier USS Oriskany (CV-34), he was shot down in North Vietnam on September 9, 1965.

During the late 1970s, he served as President of the Naval War College. Stockdale was candidate for Vice President of the United States in the 1992 presidential election, on Ross Perot's independent ticket.

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs]

This is a FABULOUS book!

We learn how one man quietly endured YEARS of confinement, brutality and torture in Vietnam, having earlier learned that one Brave Roman - disgusted with Emperor Nero - had written a Book on this same QUIET ENDURANCE that has become a household word for INTEGRITY.

Its theme? Simple (and very Christian) Stoicism.

Stockdale, suitably impressed, ENGRAVED the wisdom of this Roman - named Epictetus, by his former noble slavemasters - on his own memory FOREVER.

Even when he was captured by the North Vietnamese, he REMEMBERED the Roman’s words: for the Now-foreseeable Future, he would now have NO MORE CONTROL over his pain, personal humiliation, body, or reputation.

What he DID have control over now, Epictetus would say, were ONLY his EMOTIONAL REACTIONS to these things.

Now as many of you know, in 1970 I was hospitalized for apparent emotional trauma. But you may NOT know that the hospital methods of Triage for psychological cases involves as-it-happens assessment.

So all’s fair in places like that - “Head” games are no more foreign to them than than in POW Prisons. If that kind of triage forces you into craziness, so be it! It’s also a jittery, hair-trigger place, this controlled, watchful environment.

Your every move is under surveillance. You can’t afford to lose it. But lose it I did.

Thankfully, though I didn’t have Epictetus, I had my Christian roots. I knew I was a trumped-up case. A double-jeopardy hostage.

To that extent I could hold my tongue and my emotions. I chilled, staving off possibly stronger and more Draconian retaliations.

The fall-out of it all for me, unfortunately, was a case of “burning in bale & smother’d in smoke” Fifty-Year Rage - now, and more fortunately, ratcheted back down to a weak simmer.

I’m healing...

Just as Admiral Stockdale healed, albeit MUCH more swiftly.

He had a lot more guts than I had.

To the Victor go the Spoils.

And so, my thanks to you both, beloved ex-Admiral, and you - esteemed ex-Roman Slave...

For you showed me ANYTHING can happen to ANY of us at ANY time.

But how we react to that ‘ANYTHING’ will also DETERMINE ITS HIDDEN, PERSONAL MEANING:

For US...

And for THOSE WE LOVE.

[Mohammad Hrabal · Rating 3 out of 5]

از ترجمه راضی نبودم.
************************************************************************
ویلیام اروین در برنامه‌ی مطالعاتی‌ای که در پایان کتاب فلسفه‌ای برای زندگی برای مطالعه‌ی کتاب‌هایی که درباره‌ی رواقیان نوشته‌ است، از کتاب شجاعت زیر آتش استاکدیل به عنوان کتابی که واجد بصیرت‌هایی برای رواقی زیستن در شرایط دشوار زندگی است، نام می‌برد و مطالعه‌ی آن را توصیه می‌کند. مقدمه مترجم. صفحه‌ی ۱۰ کتاب
دریابان استاکدیل، پژوهشگر ارشد مؤسسه هوور در زمینه‌ی جنگ، انقلاب و صلح، مدت ۳۷ سال کادر ثابت نیروی دریایی [ایالات متحده‌ی آمریکا] بود. استاکدیل به عنوان یک خلبان جنگنده برون‌ مرزی ناو هواپیمابر، در دومین مأموریت جنگی خود بر فراز ویتنام شمالی، مورد تیرباران [هوایی ویتنامی‌ها] قرار گرفت [که از آن اتفاق، جان به‌ در برد] . استاکدیل هشت سال در هانوی به‌عنوان افسر ارشد نیروی دریایی، زندانی جنگی بود. در این مدت ۱۵ بار شکنجه شد، دو سال در غل‌ و زنجیر بود و به مدت چهار سال هم حبس انفرادی کشید. مقدمه‌ی انتشارات دانشگاه استنفورد بر کتاب. صفحه ۲۳ کتاب
اپیکتتوس در رساله می‌گوید: «به یاد داشته باشید، شما بازیگر نمایشنامه‌ای هستید، که نویسنده انتخاب می‌کند - اگر کوتاه، پس یک نمایش‌نامه کوتاه، اگر بلند، پس در یک نمایش‌نامه بلند حاضرید. اگر او بخواهد، باید نقش یک مرد فقیر، یا یک چلاق، یا یک حاکم را نمایش بدهی و [نمایشنامه‌نویس] مواظب است که آن نقش را به‌ خوبی بازی کنی. چون این حرفه‌ی تو است - که نقش داده‌ شده را به‌ خوبی اجرا کنی، ولی انتخاب نقش دست شخص دیگری است. صفحه ۳۷ کتاب
سولژنتسین: «من زمانی‌ که روی حصیر پوسیده‌ی زندان دراز کشیده بودم، اولین نشانه‌های درونی کامیابی را حس کردم. کم‌کم برایم آشکار شد خط جدا کننده‌ی خوبی و بدی یا خیر و شر را دولت‌ها، گروه‌ها و احزاب سیاسی تعیین نمی‌کنند، بلکه درست قلب هر انسانی، قلب همه‌ی انسان‌هاست که تعیین‌ کننده‌ی این مرز است. و به‌ همین دلیل هرگاه من به سال‌های حبس‌ام فکر می‌کنم، بعضی مواقع در نهایت شگفتی خودم به آنچه می‌اندیشم، با خود می‌گویم: متشکرم زندان! که بخشی از زندگی من بودی». صفحه ۳۹ کتاب
اپیکتتوس می‌گوید: «نگران آسیب و صدمه‌ای بزرگ‌تر از این باش. آسیبی بزرگ‌تر از این نیست: نابود کردن یک انسان قابل‌اعتماد، با عزت‌ نفس و خوش‌ طینت در درون شما». صفحه ۴۷ کتاب
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
مهم نیست چقدر دروازه‌ باریک است،
چقدر است اندازه طومار اتهام و مجازات
منم ارباب تقدیرم؛ منم صاحب سرنوشتم
منم فرمانده روحم؛ منم ناخدای روحم.
آخرین بیت شعر شکست‌ناپذیر ارنست هنلی. صفحات ۵۹-۶۰ کتاب
​۱۴۰۴/۰۵/۰۶

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Summary: As a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, James Stockdale shot down, captured, and imprisoned for eight brutal years. He used the wisdom of stoicism to survive and grow stronger in prison.

Rating: 9/10

*If you guys like this review, please visit my site www.modernstoics.com

Think of a day, which you spent mostly alone. Even if you did things that were fun, you probably felt bored towards the end of the day. It sucks to be alone for too long. Now imagine being alone, except not for one day but for four years. Besides the crippling loneliness, prison guards beat and torture you constantly. Would you be able to survive?

James Stockdale did. He not only survived, but thrived after his imprisonment in Vietnam. He wrote essays for Stanford University, wrote books on his experiences, and ran as the vice presidential candidate for Ross Perot. It is clear that he was not defeated by his experiences.

Stockdale starts by briefly explaining his time before the imprisonment. As a student at Stanford University, Stockdale was not interested in any of the subjects he was studying. By chance, he found himself talking with the dean of philosophy. He was immediately hooked, especially on the teachings of Epictetus, a Greek slave who founded the school of stoicism. Unlike other philosophers, Epictetus does not talk about arbitrary or imaginative things. Epictetus focuses on practical knowledge and advice, such as how to act if your kid would die. As a military man, Stockdale found Epictetus’ wisdom and thought process to be extraordinary and true. Stockdale epspicially favored the Enchiridion: Epictetus’ concise handbook for how to act and think.

Three years later during the Vietnam War, Stockdale found himself quoting the Enchiridion as his plan was shot down and he floated down into Vietnamese hand. He was severely beaten, with a badly broken leg that would stick with him for the rest of his life. Thrown into prison, he found himself the highest-ranking American. He used Epictetus’ teachings and stoicism to unite the prisoners and keep himself sane.

No matter how tough conditions got, Stockdale kept his head. Knowing the stoic teaching that external things (like other people’s actions) cannot be controlled by us, he instead focused on his own reactions to events. By controlling his mind and his thoughts (internal things), Stockdale became a leader for the American prisoners and never lost his sense of dignity.

The essay is a great work that shows just what confidence and level-headedness can accomplish in the face of unimaginable pain.

[Ajay · Rating 3 out of 5]

At just over 30 pages I hesitate to call this a book, but it is an interesting examination of how stoicism helped the author survive his time as a prisoner of war. If you're already familiar with stoicism, and have bought into it, I'm not sure I'd recommend this book to you unless you're wondering if stoicism can hold up under the harshest of circumstances (Spoiler: Yes, it can.). On the other hand, considering its brevity, I think this would be the book I would recommend to someone who is curious about why I've embraced stoicism, or is just curious about stoicism in general.

[Milan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of Epictetus's philosophy, but let's not glorify war.

[Miltiadis Michalopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stoicism in a nutshell. A very touching piece.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing, real world test of an ancient philosophy that, in current times, would be taught by someone like Tony Robbins. The control of self that the Stoic philosophy promises is kind of intoxicating. I am off to read Epictetus now.

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The supreme book on "Leadership in Extremis"---love how Epictetus and Stoic Philosophy helped him to keep the Spirit of the Leader and his troops up---Great Thoughts from an American Hero...……..

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

«I whispered to myself: ‘Five years down there, at least. I’m leaving the world of technology and entering the world of Epictetus.’»
- Stockdale

I discovered this work thanks to the «Further reading» list included in my copy of Epictetus’ Discourses, and knew I had to check it out. This is not a book, but rather a transcript of a speech held by Stockdale in King’s College, London, November 15th 1993.

It was fascinating and inspiring to hear about how Epictetus’ principles were applied in practice to get Stockdale (and his fellow men) through a real-life crisis — being taken as war prisoners and exposed to torture, isolation and degrading living conditions for more than 7 years. I won’t comment on the Vietnam war here since it stands as a separate topic, although it naturally played a part in my reflections while reading. My focus is Stockdale’s story as an exemplifying account of practical philosophy and human endurance, rather than the broader political context.

In any case, the main point of this speech is to demonstrate the timeless applicability of philosophical principles formulated 2000 years ago in Ancient Greece, and how they can improve our lives even today. These ideas are not bound by the time or society they were formed by, as they merely aim to encourage you to familiarize yourself with your own unwavering essence and free yourself from externally imposed fears, shame and dependencies, helping you maintain serenity and integrity no matter what happens beyond your control.

It’s easy to lecture about philosophy when you’re in safe and comfortable position in life, but it’s rare to see people embody their principles when actually faced with dire challenges. Credit to Stockdale for that. His story shows how philosophy isn’t just theory, but something you can build your life around (which is also one of Epictetus key doctrines). Besides the Stoic principles, it is fascinating to see how a single book can have so much impact on a person’s life.

In regards to the speech, I found parts of it very powerful, but others left me wanting more, particularly in the second half. It wasn’t necessarily because details were sparse, but because the narrative seemed to lose its momentum somewhere within the speech. Nevertheless, I’m glad to have read it, and I’d recommend it to anyone interested regardless of whether they’re familiar with Epictetus or not.

«Show me a man who though sick is happy, who though in danger is happy, who though in prison is happy, and I’ll show you a Stoic.»
- Epictetus

[Tuhin Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lessons here are a really good apprehension of the great philosopher Epictetus' lessons. Although the author is brainwashed with overpatriotism for his country, though it was his country that was the invader, the book serves as a lesson for men that seek to not be crushed under dire circumstances. I do not know if they will work for me or not, but it was indeed an interesting read.

[BookLab by Bjorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stockdale was a war pilot who found the philosophical life at 38–and through it he found his inspiration, his passion.

The last day of his philosophy studies his mentor gave him a book:
“..he reached high in his wall of books and brought down a copy of The Enchiridion. He said, ‘I think you’ll be interested in this.’”
.
He devoured it. He made it his manual for life.
.
A few years later, during the Vietnam war, his plane was shot down and for 8 years he suffered torture and isolation interchangeably as a POW.
.
It was what he learned from this book by Epictetus that would eventually helped him survive years of torture and earn him a Medal of Honor.
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It’s powerful to hear how a single book can change someone’s life l in such a profound way.
.
“…I whispered to myself: ‘five years down there, at least. I’m leaving the world of technology and entering the world of Epictetus.’”
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Stockdale took charge in prison. He and the other POWs created their own moral code and attitude towards their situation based on the ancient stoic teachings prescribed by Epictetus.
.
In this book we learn what really breaks a man, and the power philosophy can truly have once it's fully embodied and applied.
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📝 “…The thing that brings down a man is not pain but shame!”
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📝 “…a Stoic always kept separate files in his mind for those things that are ‘‘up to him’ and those things that are ‘not up to him’.” Focus only on the former!

📝 What's in your control include your opinions, aims, aversions, your own grief, joy, judgments, and attitude about what is going on, your own good, and evil.”
.
⭐️ TAKEAWAY:
“Show me a man who though sick is happy, who though in danger is happy, who though in prison is happy, and I’ll show you a Stoic.” - Epictetus
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It's obvious how far I am from the stoic ideal most of the time. 🧐 😔
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⚖️ VERDICT:
To embody one's philosophy—to walk one's talk—is a rare & precious thing. This is what makes Stockdales experiment with stoicism under torture so special. It’s at the extremes that human nature shows it’s true face most clearly and where we can learn the most about ourselves.
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The book's major flaw is that it’s too short!
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⁉️How has philosophy helped you?⁉️

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic short lecture about applied philosophy. The intro material is interesting and covers what we need to know - brief Stockdale-colored bio of Epictetus combined with how Stockdale studied the material at Stanford - but the last 2/3 of the book, concerning Stockdale's imprisonment and the processes by which he managed the forms of torture and interrogation used there (not "truth serum" or "brainwashing," concepts he finds laughable) to limit feelings of shame for both him and his imprisoned subordinates is quite interesting. Fascinating that the last notable public act of this man's life was appearing as a kind of clown/buffoon during the Perot campaign, fumbling with a hearing aid and mumbling his debate lines,after he had been a far more significant VW-era figure than, say, John McCain. Can be read in about 45 minutes.

Wish Stockdale had added an extra 50% to address more prison details, but I believe he conveyed exactly what he intended to convey. For example, the four sentences covering his suicide attempt four years into his stretch in the joint - "it was time to check out" - are applied stoicism on fleek. Hunt this one down and read it.

[Ellen Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book or even an essay but the transcript of a speech given at Kings College, London, the three stars is because this leaves you wanting more or really wishing you’d been there to hear it in person and ask questions because it’s light on the really interesting part of Stockdale’s story: how he actually applied Stoic principles to the day to day situation he found himself in as a prisoner of war, and leader of other American POWs, in Vietnam. He’d be a fascinating person to have dinner with but I’m not sure this essay added much to my understanding of practical Stoicism other than a general impressed-ness that the philosophy worked for him in the tightest of corners.

[Giuliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of an essay than a book. James B. Stockdale recounts the harrowing years he spent in a Vietnamese prison after being shot down with his aircraft during the Vietnam War.
Having found Epictetus and Stoic philosophy as a naval postgrad student, he was able to put the precepts of Stoicism to practice during the long years he spent in a POW.
The book offers a number of interesting quotes as well as giving the reader a real life perspective of what Stoicism can do for us, especially during trying times.

[João · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short essay on the life and torture at a Vietnamese POW camp, and how Epictetus's teachings and Stoicism helped the author live through it for over 7 years.

Powerful story and a great introduction to Stoicism and its benefits.

[Kundan Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple yet powerful

This is my first read on stoic philosophy and this book is an effective primer. The author has conveyed stoicism in a concise and powerful manner. Go for this book if you are new to the subject.

[Mark Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling. Consistent with the kind of thinking I saw in Aurelius's "Meditations". Gonna read some more about stoicism.

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It matters not how strait the gate,

      How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

      I am the captain of my soul.

[Manny Schwimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful testimony to the real-world usability of Stoic philosophy, in particular as taught by the former slave-turned-master teacher Epictetus. Mr. Stockdale found himself in an eerily similar position to Epictetus during his time as a North Vietnamese POW, down to suffering a broken leg that never quite healed properly. I find Mr. Stockdale's interpretations of Epictetus helpful in my own philosophical journey.

[Espen Stølan Holten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denne var særdeles god👌🏻 Mye av tekstene er de samme som i «Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot», men der den blir tidvis repeterende, så er denne lille boken et meget bra sammendrag.
Leses på en kveld, og fortjener årlig lesing.

[Raimundo Zubelzu Hernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un libro autobiográfico tremendamente breve, en donde se muestra cómo aplicar la sabiduría estoica en un contexto tremendamente terrorífico: ser prisionero de guerra. Muy iluminador e inspirador. Definitivamente leeré más de Epicteto en el futuro.

[Salmaan Jalil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An essay that explores a Vietnam POW’s experience of surviving torture and imprisonment with the help of lessons from Epictetus’ Discourses and Handbook. I wish there was a bit more on stoicism or his experience or both, but I’m glad I finally read it!

[Jason T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great narrative of some stoic principles that allowed Stockdale to make it through the 7+ years of captivity while also commanding and leading his fellow prisoners'.

[Minerva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complements Victor Frankl quite well.

[Sara Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read essay on putting the Epictetus stoic philosophy on the dichotomy of control into practice during an extreme situation - P.O.W. Experience. Puts into perspective how much control one really has over their own mind.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply, deeply fascinating. It's available on the internet archive and like 25 pages - give it a read if you are even remotely interested in applied philosophy in situations of extreme hardships.

[Lenny Husen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent -this is not a book but a bound copy of a graduation speech given by Admiral Stockdale. The speech covers his experiences as a leader, pilot, POW, undergoing torture in Vietnam. This is a fabulous explanation of the philosophy of Stoicism. very quick read--I read it in about 2 hours.
Would read it again.
Admiral James Bond Stockdale was an incredible man, a worthy hero.

[Brenden Rosario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great example of applying stoicism into real life. Stockdale is one of the few modern capital S stoics. His essay is a brisk read on the application of Epictetus’s discourses in war. Highly recommended to someone who wants to learn more about stoicism

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed today

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful speech. It is a bit short that being said, but it is a moving testimony of human resilience.