Marcus Aurelius’s Top 5 Apps for a Stoic Life

Imagine if Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor-philosopher, had a smartphone. Which apps would he find invaluable in today’s digital world? Known for his Meditations and his practical approach to life’s challenges, Aurelius would likely appreciate apps that foster self-discipline, mindfulness, learning, and connection with nature. Let’s explore five apps that would align with his Stoic principles.

1. Calm – For Meditation and Mindfulness:

Aurelius wrote, “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.” Calm, an app dedicated to meditation and mindfulness, would be an ideal tool for him to find tranquility and practice introspection, providing guided meditations that resonate with Stoic practices of self-reflection.

2. Habitica – For Building Discipline and Virtue:

Aurelius was a proponent of self-discipline and virtue. Habitica, an app that turns habit formation into a game, would appeal to his Stoic mindset. It encourages consistency in virtuous actions, aligning with his belief that “Excellence withers without an adversary.”

3. Kindle – For Reading and Continuous Learning:

Marcus Aurelius was an advocate for lifelong learning. The Kindle app, with access to a vast library of books, would align with his pursuit of knowledge and philosophy. “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury,” he noted, and reading widely is a way to broaden one’s perspective and understanding.

4. AllTrails – For Connecting with Nature:

Aurelius believed in the importance of connecting with nature. AllTrails, an app for finding hiking trails and enjoying the natural world, would provide him with a digital means to seek out nature’s tranquility, aligning with his view that “He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.”

5. Duolingo – For Language Learning and Global Understanding:

As a Roman emperor, Aurelius understood the value of communication and cultural understanding. Duolingo, a language learning app, would be a modern tool for him to learn new languages, fostering greater understanding and connection in an increasingly globalized world.

Conclusion: In the contemporary digital age, these five apps would resonate with Marcus Aurelius’s Stoic philosophy, enhancing self-discipline, mindfulness, learning, and connection with nature – all key aspects of his teachings for a fulfilling life.