Using Impressions Wisely Amid Misinformation

The Challenge of Navigating Today’s Political and Social Chaos

America today is deeply divided. Political debates quickly turn into personal attacks, conspiracy theories spread like wildfire, and social media fuels outrage at every turn. Every day, we are bombarded with information—some true, some misleading, and some outright false.

How do we know what to believe? How do we avoid being manipulated? And most importantly, how do we keep our sanity in the face of so much noise?

The ancient Stoics, particularly Epictetus, taught that our suffering comes not from external events but from our judgments about them. In today’s world, this means our stress, anger, and anxiety often stem from the way we interpret news, social media, and political rhetoric—not from the events themselves. The solution? Learning to manage our impressions properly.

For just as Socrates used to say that we shouldn’t live an unexamined life, we shouldn’t accept any impression without subjecting it to examination, but should say to it, “Wait, let me see who you are, and where you’ve come from”—just as night watchmen say: “Show me your mark of identification. Do you have that mark from nature that every impression must have if it is to be accepted?

Epictetus, Discourses, 3.12, 14-15

Why Proper Impressions Matter in the Misinformation Age

Beliefs Drive Actions

People don’t act on raw facts—they act on their interpretation of facts. If someone believes an election was stolen, their actions will reflect that belief, whether or not it’s true. If they think a political opponent is evil rather than simply holding a different viewpoint, they will respond with hostility instead of reason.

The Stoics understood that impressions—the immediate judgments we make about events—are not always accurate. They are filtered through personal biases, emotions, and misinformation. Our job, as rational beings, is to test these impressions before we assent to them.

The Nature of Modern Impressions

Today, impressions come not just from our own senses but from a constant flood of media, posts, and headlines. These impressions are often designed to provoke strong emotional reactions—fear, anger, outrage—because that keeps people engaged. But strong emotions cloud judgment. If we immediately accept every impression as truth, we become vulnerable to manipulation.

If a person gave your body to a passerby, you would be furious; yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they may abuse it, leaving it disturbed and troubled—have you no shame in that?

Epictetus, Discourses 1.27

The Stoic Method for Processing Information

Step 1: Suspend Immediate Judgment

The moment you see a shocking headline, a viral tweet, or a breaking news alert, pause. Do not react emotionally. The first impression may be exaggerated or misleading.

The Stoics taught that wisdom begins with restraint. Just because something appears true does not mean it is. Before responding, ask:

• Is this information verified?
• Who is presenting it, and do they have an agenda?
• Am I reacting emotionally, or am I thinking critically?

Step 2: Test Impressions Against Reason

Epictetus urged his students to test every impression against philosophy before accepting it. In today’s world, this means applying critical thinking.

• Does this claim align with known facts and evidence?
• Are multiple reliable sources confirming it?
• Am I being swayed by emotion or ideology?

If an impression does not hold up to scrutiny, it should be discarded. The Stoics would rather withhold judgment than believe a lie.

The most important task of a philosopher, and his first task, is to test out impressions and distinguish between them, and not to accept any impression unless it has been duly tested.

Epictetus, Discourses, 1.20.7

Step 3: Maintain Objectivity in Political and Social Issues

One of the great Stoic principles is to remain indifferent to things outside our control. This does not mean disengaging from politics or society; it means approaching them with rational detachment rather than emotional reactivity.

When a politician makes a claim, a news outlet publishes a controversial story, or a friend shares a conspiracy theory, apply the Stoic filter:

• Is this claim rooted in fact or speculation?
• If true, does it require an extreme emotional reaction, or can I respond with reason?
• Will my reaction contribute to a solution or just add to the chaos?

A Stoic does not get swept away by political hysteria. They seek truth, not validation of their pre-existing beliefs.

Practical Applications in a Divided America

Handling Political Outrage

Political division thrives on manipulating impressions. Every election, every debate, and every crisis is framed as an existential threat. The Stoic response? Step back and assess calmly.

• Ask: “Is this truly a catastrophe, or is it being framed that way to provoke me?”
• Recognize that political outcomes are often beyond your control.
• Engage thoughtfully, but refuse to be ruled by fear or anger.

Dealing with Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories thrive because they play on strong impressions—often fear and distrust. Stoics, however, demand evidence. Before believing any claim, they seek rational proof.

• Ask: “Is this based on credible evidence or just speculation?”
• Avoid the mistake of believing something just because it aligns with your existing worldview.
• Accept that uncertainty exists. Not everything has a neat explanation, and that’s okay.

Navigating Social Media Manipulation

Social media platforms are designed to amplify outrage. The more emotionally charged the content, the more engagement it gets. Stoics resist this trap by controlling their reactions.

• Before sharing or commenting, ask: “Am I spreading truth or just reacting emotionally?”
• Recognize that algorithms reward anger, not wisdom.
• Use social media as a tool for learning, not as a battlefield.

The Broader Impact: A More Rational Society

The ancient Stoics believed that a society functions best when its citizens practice reason, restraint, and virtue. In today’s America, these qualities are desperately needed.

Imagine if more people refused to react impulsively to headlines. If more people tested their beliefs instead of blindly accepting them. If more people engaged in discussion with a commitment to truth rather than tribal loyalty.

The path forward is not through more division, anger, or knee-jerk reactions. It is through applying Stoic wisdom to our modern world: assessing impressions carefully, thinking critically, and responding rationally.

This is not about ignoring politics or disengaging from the world. It is about seeing clearly, thinking wisely, and acting deliberately. If enough people take this approach, we might just build a society that values truth over noise, reason over rage, and wisdom over impulse.

As Epictetus reminds us: “It is not things that trouble us, but our judgments about them.”