On January 31, John Lydon will turn 68. Perhaps better known as Johnny Rotten, the frontman for the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd may not be the most obvious choice for last man standing among the epically burnt-out inaugural class of punk rock stardom. After all, it’s hard to stay angry for seven decades. We should mull over the reasons for his success, which might begin with the fundamental question: Is it a requirement of the genre that a punk must be angry?

If we’re to go by the title of Lydon’s memoir, "Anger is an Energy," it’s perhaps true that most punks see their affinity through the lens of anger. As a countercultural movement in the 1970s, both the people and their music have often been characterized this way. The energy is raw, the music is aggressive, and the attitude is defiant. Lydon has even defied himself as of late. While the Sex Pistols had often seemed to favor left-wing political stances, over the past few years, Lydon has raised more than a few eyebrows on both sides of the aisle for giving a rather conservative thumbs up to Donald Trump, Brexit, and even Queen Elizabeth II. These endorsements call to mind that other famous Johnny, of the Ramones, who was a staunch supporter of the Republican Party and hailed Reagan as the greatest president of his lifetime.

Through their rebellious music, they channeled a form of stoicism that was tailored to their historical circumstances.

While Lydon’s turn toward conservatism seems designed to provoke outrage, it prompts a closer examination of the punk movement’s ethos, using Lydon and the Sex Pistols as archetypal examples. At first glance, Lydon’s controversy-stirring soundbites seem disconnected from the philosophical stance of stoicism, an ancient Greek ideology where the energy is controlled, the music is virtuous and the attitude is resilient. However, a closer look at Lydon’s punk life through the ages must acknowledge the evolving nature of countercultural political positions and their shifting meanings over time. This complex interplay sheds light on Lydon’s journey, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of his rebellion using the principles of stoicism to point the way toward Lydon’s fountain of youth.

A little over two thousand years before "Never Mind the Bollocks," around 300 BCE, a guy named Zeno of Citium founded the Stoic school of philosophy. He advocated for living in harmony with nature, focusing on only those things in life that we can truly influence and accepting hardships that cannot be changed. The school encouraged people to cultivate virtues that included temperance, courage, justice and wisdom. Well, the Sex Pistols were not exactly role models of moderation and restraint in their consumption habits, but don’t those three other stoic virtues sound a lot like punk values?

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In the tumultuous era of the 1970s, the pioneering punks of the Sex Pistols emerged as a band from a backdrop of social unrest, economic hardship and political disillusionment. Their music and attitude became a voice for expressing the frustrations of their generation as it was caught in a rapidly changing world. Through their rebellious music, they channeled a form of stoicism that was tailored to their historical circumstances. Lydon contributed his unique personality to become an iconic music force that aligned with the stoic ideals of authenticity, resilience and a focus on what’s within one’s control.

First, punk rock encapsulates the stoic notion of living authentically and resisting societal pressures. Stoicism encourages people to be true to themselves and not simply give in to normativity, to mainstream social expectations. The punks rejected majoritarian culture and the constraints it attempted to impose, advocating instead for an individualism that included the freedom to express oneself without compromise.

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Second, stoicism emphasizes that adversity and struggle should be met with courage and resilience. In their lyrics and performances, the Sex Pistols often touched on societal and personal hardships. They address topics like unemployment, disenfranchisement and overall disillusionment with systems that seem indifferent to the challenges faced by young people. In doing so, they exhorted their audience to confront these issues head-on, echoing the stoic ideal of facing opposition with fortitude and resilience.

Third, stoic philosophy offers a prototype for a circle of influence versus circle of concern, or what we nowadays credit to Stephen R. Covey’s best-selling book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." While our thoughts, actions and responses to situations are within our control, other peoples’ actions and external events are beyond our control. Just like stoicism, the punk movement advocated focusing on acting where change can actually be made. Through their music and activism, the Sex Pistols undermined the status quo, took control of their own destiny, and fought for their rights.

The punks rejected majoritarian culture and the constraints it attempted to impose, advocating instead for an individualism that included the freedom to express oneself without compromise.

This essay will stage dive into the details of these three points, providing detailed examples from their one and only studio album to explain how Lydon and the Sex Pistols represent a stoic form of rebellion. These punks were determined to keep it real as a call to arms against perceived injustices and a rallying cry for each of us to maintain our inner strength when facing external chaos. At their core, the Sex Pistols relentlessly pursued their own principles, becoming an unexpected but fitting ally that brings modern momentum to the ancient philosophy of stoicism.

Stoicism, a school of philosophy that emerged in ancient Greece, emphasizes the importance of living a life of authenticity and resisting the pressures of conformity. The Stoics believed in aligning one's actions and beliefs with nature and reason, advocating for a life guided by virtue and wisdom rather than being swayed by societal expectations. This commitment to keeping it real and mustering resistance to conformity is deeply ingrained in Stoic teachings, as evident in works such as "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius and "Discourses" by Epictetus.

In "Meditations," Marcus Aurelius, the prominent Stoic philosopher best known as an emperor of Rome, reflects on the pursuit of an authentic life. He emphasizes the notion that one should live in accordance with one's own principles and virtues, regardless of societal pressures. Aurelius encourages individuals to stay true to their beliefs, innermost values, and rationality. He suggests that external influences and opinions should not sway one's commitment to living a virtuous life, resulting in the kind of raw and genuine living that can only stem from inner conviction.

Epictetus, another influential Stoic philosopher, expounds on the idea of authenticity and resistance to conformity in his "Discourses." Epictetus is fairly punk in his own right. He was born a slave to the secretary of Roman Emperor Nero and became disabled after his master broke his leg. Yet he took what action he could despite all he suffered. Epictetus was permitted to study philosophy and in becoming gradually more educated he managed to raise his social status until he was eventually freed, from which point onward he paid it forward by teaching Stoicism in Rome. He argues that individuals possess the ability to exercise control over their own judgments and reactions, emphasizing the importance of aligning these with reason and virtue. Epictetus stresses the significance of living in harmony with one's inner principles, irrespective of societal expectations or external pressures. By doing so, he believes one can achieve a sense of authenticity that is more or less immune to any external influence.

Seeking authenticity and resisting conformity are fundamentally principled actions for leading a good and meaningful life. These commitments form the bedrock of Stoic........

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