Muhammad Ali, Stoic Philosopher

Everyone naturally wants to claim?Muhammad Ali as their own, to find part of themselves in this transcendent, transformational personality. But do Stoic philosophers have a stronger claim on The Greatest than most others?

Stoics, who subscribe to the?teaching of philosophers including Epictetus, Cicero and Marcus Aurelius, can in fact point to critical decisions Ali made and recognize the underlying principles as Stoic.?

Devotion to that which cannot be taken away

For me, Ali earned a high place?among the Stoics?from his refusal to submit to the draft during the Vietnam War. Virtue, according to the Stoic, is the only thing that should be sought by a philosopher. Possessions, estates, family, even world titles, can all be taken away. The only things that we truly can lay claim to is our own opinion?on what is virtuous and what is not, and the degree to which we make our decisions accordingly.

As Christopher Gill writes:

"Virtue is a form or expertise or skill, knowledge how to live well in every way, a form of knowledge that shapes the whole personality and life."

Epictetus sums up how virtue means we must have little disregard for the things and trappings that constitute outward success:

"If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals, so as to wish to please anyone, be assured that you have ruined your scheme of life."

This seems to be the ethos behind Ali's decision, which he knew would mean loss of his title and standing. While history has?been kind to Ali on this, pubic opinion at the time was largely against the champ, who was already unpopular due to his name change, conversion to Islam and outspoken demeanor. But the life of a?champion, to Ali, seemed to involve?living a life of virtue as opposed to holding onto a strap, a bauble or approval from those with the power to?harm him.

“I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again." ~ Muhammad Ali

This?may be the most enduring part of his legacy to those with only peripheral interest in boxing. But his dominance in the ring is also attributable to a Stoic?peace and resolve with making the sacrifices of a professional athlete. Ali said:

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'"

As Epictetus wrote in The Enchiridion, the athlete may have a lofty goal and seek greatness. But he must also be prepared to make the sacrifice of training and austerity. The athlete may say:

"'I would conquer at the Olympic games.' But consider what precedes and follows, and then, if it is for your advantage, engage in the affair. You must conform to rules, submit to a diet, refrain from dainties; exercise your body, whether you choose it or not, at a stated hour, in heat and cold; you must drink no cold water, nor sometimes even wine. In a word, you must give yourself up to your master, as to a physician. Then, in the combat, you may be thrown into a ditch, dislocate your arm, turn your ankle, swallow dust, be whipped, and, after all, lose the victory. When you have evaluated all this, if your inclination still holds, then go to war."

Once in the ring, Ali had to maintain his resolve in the face of external pressures. Epictetus suggested we deal with challenges in life as if we are wrestling with God, the trainer, who is giving us moral instruction. In When We Were Kings, Norman Mailer describes the moment, during a pivotal moment of his fight with the intimidating George Foreman, who was larger, younger and was taking the best shots Ali could dish out.

“‘Do you have the guts?’ And he kind of nodded, like, ‘Really got to get it together, boy. You are gonna get it together … you WILL get it together.’ He nodded some more, as if he were looking into the eyes of his maker, and then turned to the crowd and went ‘Ali, boma ye!’ and 100,000 people all yelled back "Ali, boma ye!" And this huge reverberation of the crowd came back into the ring. Ali picked it up as if?‘these are my people, this is what I'm here for. The time has come, I'm gonna find a way to master this man."'

A philosophy fit for a former slave and boxer

I don't think Ali read the writings of the Stoics, but he certainly would have been exposed to works with a Stoic influence, including the New Testament and the Serenity Prayer, written by theologian Reinhold Neibuhr. Unlike philosophies that have become academic exercises, Stoicism has remained a straightforward discipline designed as a reliable path to happiness?for everyone, even?a former boxer, or a former slave. We know this, because Cleanthes, the second head of the Stoic school, was a former boxer (or wrestler by some accounts, perhaps a participant in the Pancrase competitions). He was criticized by his fellow students as a dullard, and supported himself by carrying water at night so he could study during the day. Certainly, Cleanthes was no more an esoteric egg-head than Ali.

Epictetus, one of the?most prolific and influential Stoics, was for much of his life a?slave, and the hard limits placed on him may have early on convinced him of the wisdom of Stoic thought. A slave may see that, while they lack control over their own life, their lot is only incrementally different once they are no longer bound to their master.?I do not think it is an accident that Epictetus uses these words:

"The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others."

Ali himself was a generation removed from slavery, but struggled mightily with the hard limits placed on African Americans in the Jim Crow south. Ali was affected deeply by experiences of segregation, and was?denied service in restaurants even as he wore his gold medal around his neck. According to many sources inlcuding?this great New Yorker article by?David Remick, he was particularly galvanized?by gruesome images of the death of Emmet Till.?

Ali's life choices allowed him to make the most of what was truly his. He courageously lived his life in accordance with virtue,?in spite of societal expectations and norms. If we want to live life as?a Stoic, we would do well to study Muhammad Ali.

?

Charles Rathmann is a veteran consultant, researcher and industrial journalist. Currently, he serves as technology editor across AC Business Media’s portfolio of construction publications, where he helps contractors learn about and understand how to harness emerging and proven technologies and conducts primary research in the space.?When not working, he is happily fishing and exploring the Driftless region of Southwestern Wisconsin, playing guitar or spoiling his wife and daughter.

Read other posts on philosophy and Ali:

• 3 Philosophy Concepts for Managers
• What Are You Afraid Of?
• The Stoic Approach to Leadership, Ethics and Sales
• Should You Bring Religion to the Office?
• Legacy blog post on Muhammad Ali and Business Agility