Andrew Tate, Sex Trafficking, & Stoicism: A Clash of Philosophical Worlds

In his book, Tate asserts that he follows the principles of Stoicism—a philosophy that guides individuals on how to lead a virtuous life.

Dear Fellow Survivor ™,

Today’s article will take us into the intriguing realm of Andrew Tate, as we cover the disparity between his assertions and his misinterpretation of the venerable philosophy of Stoicism.

In his book, Tate asserts that he follows the principles of Stoicism—a philosophy that guides individuals on how to lead a virtuous life. According to Stoic beliefs, virtue is the only intrinsic good, with everything else being considered indifferent.

They also advocate for individuals not to be governed by their emotions, instead emphasizing the importance of prioritizing rational thinking.

As someone who has practiced Stoicism since 2013 and as a survivor of sex trafficking who has suffered years of abuse from individuals who shared similar beliefs, I see his rhetoric as a troubling reflection of a larger societal issue.

This particularly involves the misuse of context, biased manipulation, support for using trauma to control women, and the distortion of cognitive processes for the purpose of gaining attention and influence online.

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, call me old-fashioned, but this doesn’t align with my values or bring any enjoyment.

While he first garnered attention as a professional kickboxer and competitor on reality television shows, it is his online persona that has generated significant interest and sparked numerous debates.

Tate gained notoriety through his controversial remarks and unapologetic attitude.

Tate’s unconventional viewpoints on success, self-improvement, and relationships have captivated those who appreciate his blunt and unfiltered approach. Tate frequently advocates for ideas that contradict mainstream moral norms.

His beliefs revolve around self-centeredness, and promoting personal gain regardless of the cost to others, particularly women.

He also champions a hyper-masculine worldview, which diminishes the importance of empathy, compassion, and a woman’s role in the natural order. These concepts have ignited debates and attracted criticism from those who find them morally objectionable.

Andrew Tate has stirred up considerable controversy and criticism, especially due to his advocacy and promotion of the Master and Slave dynamic and trauma-based psychological manipulation within kink communities.

It’s worth noting that kink communities emphasize the consensual use of these strategies, while his viewpoints align more with the Manosphere, suggesting the use of these strategies without consent or informed knowledge, which unfortunately mirrors my experience.

A non-abusive “Master and Slave” relationship is founded on consensual power exchange, where one partner assumes the role of the Dominant or Master, and the other partner takes on the submissive role of the Slave.

By conflating kink dynamics, abuse, control, and dominance with “traditional” relationships, Tate confuses the understanding of healthy and consensual relationships, especially among his predominantly young and impressionable audience.

It also distorts the essence of these dynamics but also jeopardizes perpetuating damaging misconceptions about relationships and consent.

In a truly traditional relationship, and in the type I’ve been in for 20 years, there’s often an agreement that the man may assume a leadership role.

This implies that he may be responsible for making particular decisions and offering guidance for the relationship, while the woman has her own set of duties, such as caring for the children and managing appointments.

It’s important to understand that this setup doesn’t suggest dominance or authority over the woman. Rather, it represents a mutual understanding where both partners value and bolster each other’s strengths, collaborating to create a unified entity from their individual qualities.

Stoicism, on the other hand, is an ancient Greek philosophy that highlights virtue, reason, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life. It urges individuals to foster inner peace through the practice of self-control, resilience, and ethical behavior.

Stoicism places great importance on empathy, temperance, and the well-being of the collective.

Stoicism is distinguished by its focus on the importance of reason, the pursuit of virtue, and the acceptance of the natural order of the universe, with virtue as a crucial focal point.

It encourages individuals to focus on what is within their control, rather than being consumed or distressed by external events beyond their influence. Stoicism provides a path to achieve inner calm and contentment in the face of life's challenges.

Stoicism places the utmost importance on virtue, considering it the highest good and the pathway to a fulfilling life.

With Stoicism, the key to tranquility lies in focusing on what can be controlled and accepting everything else with equanimity.

Yet, Andrew Tate appears to promote hyper-control of nearly everything in his life, especially as seen in the documentary by VICE, where we got an inside glimpse into his compound and home that is positioned inside high walls and tight security.

Stoicism encourages individuals to accept the natural course of events and embrace whatever comes their way with resilience.

Mindfulness enables individuals to observe their thoughts and emotions without being carried away by them. It helps to cultivate self-awareness and enables individuals to make deliberate, well-considered choices in alignment with their values and virtues.

Stoicism also teaches that the ultimate goal of human life is eudaimonia, often translated as “flourishing” or “living in accordance with nature.” Eudaimonia is achieved through the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, and a rational approach to life.

Lastly, Stoicism emphasizes the concept of universal brotherhood, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all human beings, including women. It encourages individuals to treat others with respect, compassion, and fairness, irrespective of differences in social status, nationality, or background.

Stoics believed in the idea of cosmopolitanism, seeing humanity as a single community bound together by shared reason and ethics.

He often abuses “contextomy,” selectively using Stoic quotes to project an image of being aligned with the philosophy, while behaving in a manner contradictory to its teachings.

To further understand the dissonance between Tate's beliefs and Stoic principles, let's explore the eight core principles of Stoicism:

1. Wisdom: Cultivating deep understanding and insight into the nature of the world and oneself.

2. Courage: Facing the challenges of life with fortitude and resilience.

3. Temperance: Exercising self-control and moderation in all aspects of life.

4. Justice: Treating others with fairness, kindness, and compassion.

5. Virtue: Living in accordance with one's moral values and principles.

6. Tranquility: Cultivating inner peace and serenity regardless of external circumstances.

7. Acceptance: Embracing the things that cannot be changed and finding contentment in them.

8. Nature: Respecting and aligning oneself with the natural world and the laws of nature.

These principles stand in stark contrast to the self-centered and divisive approach championed by Andrew Tate.

Understanding the true essence of Stoicism allows us to navigate life with more compassion, empathy, and a genuine pursuit of virtue.

You are not alone. 🎗

This blog was written awhile ago and is a response to the article titled “Andrew Tate encourages fans to embrace ‘discipline’ and avoid being ‘average’ to achieve success, trolls say “philosophy is not your forte” written by Ishita Verma on October 1, 2023.