Philosophy Consists of Three Parts: The Moral, the Natural, and the Rational

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

In part, REBT serves as a philosophical approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”). The ultimate aim (to direct toward a specified object or goal) of this psychotherapeutic modality is rational living. Of this view, Seneca stated (page 325):

The best and the greatest number of authors have asserted that philosophy consists of three parts: the moral, the natural, and the rational. The first puts the soul in order. The second thoroughly examines the natural order of things. The third inquires into the proper meaning of words, and their arrangements and proofs which keep falsehoods from creeping in to displace truth.

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines philosophy as “the intellectual discipline that uses careful reasoned argument to elucidate fundamental questions, notably those concerning the nature of reality (metaphysics), the nature of knowledge (epistemology), and the nature of moral judgments (ethics).”

For instance, my consideration of Stoic points of view is a matter of philosophical understanding. Per Seneca’s perspective, philosophy consists of the moral, the natural, and the rational components of living in a manner of both logically and reasonably (collectively “rationally”).

For context, the APA defines moral as “relating to the distinction between right and wrong behavior” and “describing a behavior that is considered ethical or proper, or a person or group who adheres to a moral code.” As an example, I consider it morally good to practice REBT.

Now, in common parlance, natural is defined as based on an inherent sense of right and wrong, being in accordance with or determined by nature—the external world in its entirety, or the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing. The APA thusly defines naturalism:

[I]n philosophy, the doctrine that reality consists solely of natural objects and that therefore the methods of natural science offer the only reliable means to knowledge and understanding of reality. Naturalism is closely related to physicalism and materialism and explicitly opposes any form of supernaturalism or mysticism that posits the existence of realities beyond the natural and material world.

I’ve been accused, perhaps not uncharitably, of leaning too heavily into naturalism. This is because I remain agnostic (a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality, such as a supreme being, is unknown and probably unknowable) about supernatural or mystic possibilities.

Rather, using a pragmatic approach to rational living, I value perspectives which aren’t subjectively irrational. As an example, because I don’t conflate believing with knowing, I don’t irrationally assume that if something could exist, it therefore does exist (e.g., deities).

Of my worldview, which is based in rationality, the APA defines rational as “pertaining to reasoning or, more broadly, to higher thought processes” and “based on, in accordance with, or justifiable by accepted principles of reasoning or logic.” You and others are welcome to disagree.

Reflecting my perspective, authors of The Daily Stoic state, “These three parts—the moral, the natural, and the rational—have one aim. As different as they are, they have the same purpose: to help you live a good life ruled by reason. Not in the future, but right now” (page 325).

If you choose to irrationally believe in fantastical matters which relate more to supernaturalism or mysticism, then that’s your prerogative. You can still practice REBT, even if I view your beliefs (not you) bat-shit crazy! The choice is yours.

After all, who knows? Maybe things like deities, fairies, dragons, and unicorns actually exist. Likely not, though maybe. Simply because I don’t view these matters as rational, though you do, doesn’t mean that REBT won’t be of some use to you. So, why not give philosophy a chance?

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use

References:

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Constitution. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/constitution

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Epistemology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/epistemology

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Ethics. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/ethics

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Materialism. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/materialism

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Metaphysics. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/metaphysics

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Moral. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/moral

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Mysticism. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/mysticism

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Naturalism. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/naturalism

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Philosophy. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/philosophy

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Physicalism. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/physicalism

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Rational. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/rational

APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). Supernatural. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://dictionary.apa.org/supernatural

Bogac Dalkiran. (n.d.). Sculpture of Seneca [Image]. Magnific. Retrieved from https://www.magnific.com/premium-ai-image/sculpture-seneca_286216963.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=6&uuid=00ed0236-ee0d-4409-b1ab-88c9216ff532&query=seneca

Daily Stoic. (n.d.). Translating the Stoics: An interview with “The Daily Stoic” co-author Stephen Hanselman. Retrieved from https://dailystoic.com/stephen-hanselman-interview/

Econoation. (2025, March 23). Stoicism and natural order. Retrieved from https://econation.one/blog/stoicism-and-natural-order/

Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

Hollings, D. (2026, June 16). A fountain of goodness: Subjective and objective views. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-fountain-of-goodness-subjective-and-objective-views

Hollings, D. (2024, May 22). A philosophical approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-philosophical-approach-to-mental-health

Hollings, D. (2026, February 8). Adaptive and maladaptive emotions and behavior. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/adaptive-and-maladaptive-emotions-and-behavior

Hollings, D. (2026, April 30). Alternate reality: Negative and unhealthy delusional jealousy and envy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/alternate-reality-negative-and-unhealthy-delusional-jealousy-and-envy

Hollings, D. (2024, November 15). Assumptions. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/assumptions

Hollings, D. (2026, June 17). Believability: Conflating believing with knowing – Flooding the zone. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/believability-conflating-believing-with-knowing-flooding-the-zone

Hollings, D. (2025, November 17). Bloodbending: A moral and ethical dilemma regarding control. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bloodbending-a-moral-and-ethical-dilemma-regarding-control

Hollings, D. (2026, March 3). Blowback and knock-on effects: Subjectivity of beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/blowback-and-knock-on-effects-subjectivity-of-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2025, September 6). Bringing meaning to the words. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/bringing-meaning-to-the-words

Hollings, D. (2026, May 16). Courage: Tell it like it is – or risk the character flaw of cowardice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/courage-tell-it-like-it-is-or-risk-the-character-flaw-of-cowardice

Hollings, D. (2024, September 14). Crazy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/crazy

Hollings, D. (2026, January 27). Destination unknown. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/destination-unknown

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2025, August 19). Doing right or wrong, as they see it. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/doing-right-or-wrong-as-they-see-it

Hollings, D. (2026, June 3). Dumb knowledge: Why would you choose to simp? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/dumb-knowledge-why-would-you-choose-to-simp

Hollings, D. (2026, April 12). Excuses, explanations, and justifications. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/excuses-explanations-and-justifications

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2024, May 17). Feeling better vs. getting better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/feeling-better-vs-getting-better-1

Hollings, D. (2026, April 4). FUBAR vs. a pragmatic, instead of the moralistic, approach to wealth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fubar-vs-a-pragmatic-instead-of-the-moralistic-approach-to-wealth

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (2024, December 22). Here is something you can’t understand. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/here-is-something-you-can-t-understand

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2026, May 16). I’m finding it hard to believe we’re in Heaven or Hell: Agnostic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/i-m-finding-it-hard-to-believe-we-re-in-heaven-or-hell-agnostic

Hollings, D. (2022, November 8). Information overload. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/information-overload

Hollings, D. (2024, April 15). Intellectual honesty and integrity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/intellectual-honesty-and-integrity

Hollings, D. (2025, April 23). Judgment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/judgment

Hollings, D. (2025, October 13). Knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/knowledge-wisdom-understanding

Hollings, D. (2025, May 18). Learning to understand, attentively and deeply. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/learning-to-understand-attentively-and-deeply

Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2025, November 25). Logos and natural order. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logos-and-natural-order

Hollings, D. (2022, June 23). Meaningful purpose. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/meaningful-purpose

Hollings, D. (2025, November 16). Mental health, mental illness, and mental disorder. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-health-mental-illness-and-mental-disorder

Hollings, D. (2026, March 7). Mind, body, and soul. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mind-body-soul

Hollings, D. (2025, September 14). Moral framework. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/moral-framework

Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics

Hollings, D. (2026, April 4). Objective reality. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/objective-reality

Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth

Hollings, D. (2026, May 15). Owning up to personal and collective codes of conduct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/owning-up-to-personal-and-collective-codes-of-conduct

Hollings, D. (2024, July 20). Perspective shift. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/perspective-shift

Hollings, D. (2026, March 30). Pleasures, when they go beyond proper measure, are but punishments. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/pleasures-when-they-go-beyond-proper-measure-are-but-punishments

Hollings, D. (2026, June 15). Point of view. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/point-of-view

Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Principles. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/principles

Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities

Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist

Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt

Hollings, D. (2024, May 15). Rational living. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-living

Hollings, D. (2025, August 13). Rational versus irrational thoughts and beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-versus-irrational-thoughts-and-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2024, January 1). Rational vs. irrational. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-vs-irrational

Hollings, D. (2024, December 5). Reasoning. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reasoning

Hollings, D. (2024, January 20). Reliability vs. validity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/reliability-vs-validity

Hollings, D. (2024, April 21). Stoicism. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/stoicism

Hollings, D. (2025, October 22). The construct. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-construct

Hollings, D. (2024, October 4). The morality-reality distinction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-morality-reality-distinction

Hollings, D. (2023, August 6). The science. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-science

Hollings, D. (2025, February 28). To try is my goal. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/to-try-is-my-goal

Hollings, D. (2025, February 9). Value. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/value

Hollings, D. (2024, August 20). We all make our choices. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/we-all-make-our-choices

Hollings, D. (2023, October 10). When others don’t share your worldview. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/when-others-don-t-share-your-worldview

Hollings, D. (2024, April 17). Wishes, dreams, and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/wishes-dreams-and-goals

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ryan Holiday. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Holiday

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Seneca the Younger. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_the_Younger