Which group believed that humans are happiest when they accept fate and practice self-control?

The Stoics are recognized for their belief that true happiness comes from accepting fate and practicing self-control. They taught that emotions and reactions to life's events should not govern one's happiness. Instead, individuals attain serenity by accepting the things they cannot change and focusing on their own responses and behaviors.

This philosophy emphasizes the importance of inner peace and resilience, advocating for a life lived in accordance with reason and virtue. Stoicism encourages individuals to distinguish between their own actions and external circumstances, where the latter is beyond personal control. This acceptance leads to tranquility, as one learns to align personal desires with the unchangeable nature of reality.

In contrast, Epicureans focus on pleasure and the avoidance of pain, but they do not advocate for the same degree of detachment from external events. Buddhists also emphasize acceptance but frame it around the concept of enlightenment and the cessation of suffering through mindfulness, rather than a strict self-control approach. Hedonists prioritize the pursuit of pleasure, often leading to a different understanding of happiness that centers on sensory experiences rather than inner tranquility.

Thus, the Stoics stand distinct in their assertion that accepting fate and exercising self-control are key to achieving true happiness.