Dichotomy vs Trichotomy of Control: Which Stoic Tool is Best for Real Life?

Stoicism, an ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, offers a practical operating system for navigating the complexities of modern life. At its core is a powerful tool known as the Dichotomy of Control, most famously articulated by the former slave and revered teacher, Epictetus. This mental model is designed to increase tranquility and decrease anxiety by clarifying where we should focus our energy.

STOICISM

9/8/20252 min read

The Two Domains: What's Up to Us, and What Isn't

The Dichotomy of Control divides all of life's experiences into two simple, mutually exclusive categories:

Things within our complete control: This is a surprisingly short list. It includes our beliefs, our considered judgments, our voluntary choices, our endorsed values, and our actions. Essentially, it's our inner world—how we choose to respond to what happens.
Things not within our complete control: This category includes everything else—literally everything external to our mind. This means our health, our reputation, our wealth, the opinions of others, the weather, the economy, and even the outcomes of our own actions.

The key insight is that our peace of mind is disrupted when we mistakenly try to control what we can't, or when we neglect to control what we can. A Stoic aims to internalize their goals. The goal is not "to win the tennis match" (external and not fully controllable) but "to play to the best of my ability" (internal and fully controllable). By focusing purely on our own effort and character, we become psychologically resilient. A sudden gust of wind might divert an archer's arrow, but it cannot touch the archer's intention to make a perfect shot.

Is It Too Simple? The Rise of the "Trichotomy"

Some modern Stoics argue that the classical Dichotomy is too rigid for the messy reality of life. They propose a "Trichotomy of Control," which introduces a middle category:

Things we have no control over (e.g., the sun rising).
Things we have some influence over, but not complete control (e.g., winning a tennis match, our health).
Things we have complete control over (e.g., our choices and intentions).

This model can be useful for planning and goal-setting. It acknowledges that our actions can and do influence external outcomes. You can't guarantee you'll get the promotion, but preparing diligently certainly improves your chances.

The Verdict: A Unified Approach

While the Trichotomy is a useful practical guide for action, the original Dichotomy remains the superior tool for maintaining tranquility. The most effective approach is to use both.

Use the Trichotomy to plan your actions: identify the things you can influence and strategize accordingly. But when it's time to perform, and after the event is over, revert to the strict Dichotomy. Do your absolute best, and then accept the outcome with equanimity, knowing that the final result was never truly up to you in the first place. This unified approach allows you to be both effective in the world and serene within your own mind.