Ongoing Study Regarding Interest and Reaction to Stoicism
Our aggregate data from 1996 to 2016 includes 143,977 persons interested in Stoicism in 18 nations. How we defined a Stoic and how the groups overlapped (for example how those who answered question 1 a certain way then answered question 2, or how persons in a particular nation answered a certain question, etc.) is also documented. Although more difficult to categorize, we also maintain the explanations for the "Other" answers. For most uses this summary is sufficient.
In Western nations, the answers are still identical within the margin of error. In non-Western nations, the answers vary dramatically into three groups.
Question 1)
Why are you interested in Stoicism?
We offered six possible answers:
To deal with anxiety 30%
For intellectual stimulation 15%
To deal with depression 25%
To advance my career 13%
To improve my personal relationships 12%
Other, please briefly explain 5%
Question 2)
How did you hear about Stoicism as a possible benefit in your life?
We offered six possible answers:
Personal reading 24%
The Stoic School 25%
Online sites not including the Stoic School 26%
College / university studies 8%
Personal contact with another student of Stoicism 2%
Other, please briefly explain 15%
Question 3)
Did what you learned about Stoicism satisfy the reason for which you were interested in Stoicism?
We offered six possible answers:
Completely 40%
Not at all 2%
Partially 30%
My circumstances changed so it became irrelevant 3%
I did not understand how Stoicism applied to my interest 1%
Other, please briefly explain 24%
Question 4)
How did you incorporate what you understood about Stoicism into your life?
We offered six possible answers:
I became a Stoic for life 12%
I rejected Stoicism completely 9%
I adopted some ideas from Stoicism 22%
I found it too high for me to attain 31%
I must study it more 24%
Other, please briefly explain 2%
Question 5)
What did you use as your primary authority regarding Stoic philosophy?
We offered six possible answers:
College/University classes 37%
Various websites 18%
Reading classical books 3%
Reading books about classical books 16%
The Stoic School 14%
Other, please briefly explain 12%