The Programme and the Philosophy

The 12 Steps
through a Stoic lens

Every step maps cleanly onto Stoic philosophy. This is not a rewrite of the programme. It is a parallel framework for those who think in systems.

Each step links to a longer page with the step in full, the Stoic parallel, a relevant quote, practical reflection, and one journaling question.

01
The Step
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
The Dichotomy of Control
Epictetus, what is and is not ours to command
02
The Step
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Logos
The rational principle governing all things
03
The Step
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Amor Fati
Embrace what is, actively, not passively
04
The Step
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Radical Self-Examination
The Stoic evening review, seeing yourself clearly
05
The Step
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Truth and Epistemic Humility
Honesty as a prerequisite for virtue
06
The Step
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Character Refinement
Virtue is a practice, not a destination
07
The Step
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Humility Before Reality
Knowing the limits of what we command
08
The Step
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Justice as Virtue
The Stoic cardinal virtue, giving each their due
09
The Step
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Virtuous Action
Action over intention, the Stoic test
10
The Step
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
The Daily Evening Examination
Seneca's three questions at day's end
11
The Step
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Prosoche
The Stoic practice of continuous self-attention
12
The Step
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics.
Service and Community
The Stoic duty to contribute to the whole