Stoicism functions philosophically as an insincere rationalization of unavoidable unhappiness

Evidence

There is, in fact, an element of sour grapes in Stoicism. We can’t be happy, but we can be good; let us therefore pretend that, so long as we are good, it doesn’t matter being unhappy. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1083

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1083
• XREF: connects to: A tired historical age generates philosophies focused on endurance rather than hope — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 1057; Electricity’s invisibility fueled idealist religious and philosophical thought — James W. Carey, Communication as Culture- Essays on…, 784; Stoic apathy lets the privileged steel themselves against others’ suffering — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 83 (+3 more)