Stoicism and the Art of Private Investigations

• March 14, 2023
• Urban Spy California, San Diego California
• no comments

Stoicism, an ancient and time-honored school of philosophy dating back to ancient Rome and Greece, focuses on, among other things, developing self-control, resilience, and virtue in the face of adversity. The tenets of stoicism are highly applicable to the work of the private investigator and can be useful in not only identifying the role of an investigator within their community at large but also in guiding best practices and mindsets for one operating in an otherwise stressful and hectic profession. In this blog post, we will explore the intersection of stoicism and the work of a private investigator, as well as identify stoic insights and tools for navigating the challenges and complexities of the profession.

Emotional Resilience: The work of a private investigator is inherently emotionally charged. Our line of work frequently requires us to insert ourselves into the middle of high-stakes situations involving highly lamentable aspects of humanity such as infidelity or fraud. Oftentimes, our work can culminate in the end of a marriage, a family separation, or a person behind bars. Emotional resilience, one of stoicism’s core principles, comes from an understanding that the events unfolding around us may not be within our control, but the way that we react to them is. Equanimity and maintaining control of our emotions, even when faced with emotionally charged circumstances, is imperative to success in this line of work. Perpetuating a solid emotional foundation will not only allow the private investigator to separate themselves from the work and look at situations more objectively but also allow them the peace of mind to not insert themselves into situations outside of their control.

Focus on Rationality and Objectivity: A natural extension of emotional resilience, focusing on rationality and objectivity stems from the ability to remain even-keeled. Most clients aren’t reaching out to an investigator because they want someone to gossip with, someone to cast judgment on, or someone to blindly feed into their suspicions and cry with – they reach out to an investigator because they’re tired of trying to interpret the gray areas around them and want a 3rd party to confirm the facts of a given matter. It is important to carry this understanding into the line of work – private investigators must approach situations with a clear and objective mindset, free from biases or preconceived notions. Failure to do so can force one to potentially lean towards false conclusions or endanger their emotional resilience. Stoicism encourages the critical examination of thoughts and beliefs, and basing actions on reason rather than emotion – both of which are essential practices in gathering and analyzing evidence, conducting interviews, and drawing clear conclusions.

Mindfulness and Attention to Detail: Stoicism also emphasizes the importance of being present at the moment and fully attentive to one’s surroundings. For a private investigator, being mindful and observant is crucial in gathering accurate information and identifying relevant details. Stoic practices such as journaling, reflection, and self-examination can also enhance an investigator’s ability to pay attention to detail and notice subtle cues that may be crucial to their investigations.

Virtue and Ethical Conduct: Stoicism places a strong emphasis on the pursuit of virtue and operating with ethical conduct. This emphasis overlaps with the structure of our profession to a very large degree, as private investigators are bound by ethical guidelines and must adhere to legal and professional standards in order to keep their licenses and continue operations. The philosophy of stoicism reinforces these principles by teaching practitioners to cultivate qualities such as integrity, honesty, and justice, which align succinctly with the ethical principles of the profession. Stoic philosophy can provide a moral compass for private investigators, guiding them in making ethical decisions and acting in a principled manner in their investigations.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Tying all the previous tenets together, this philosophical framework can embolden a private investigator’s ability to succeed even in the face of adversity. Private investigators often encounter challenges and setbacks in their work, be it interpersonal resistance, dealing with difficult individuals, or facing legal/ethical dilemmas. Stoicism frames the presence of these challenges as opportunities for growth rather than undue burdens. Stoic practices such as negative visualization, which involves imagining and preparing for worst-case scenarios, can help private investigators to develop the mental fortitude and resilience required to overcome challenges and setbacks.

In conclusion, the philosophy of stoicism can provide valuable insights and tools for private investigators in navigating the complexities of their work. From cultivating emotional resilience, maintaining an objective mindset, practicing mindfulness, and paying close attention to detail, to conducting oneself in an ethical manner, stoicism can provide us with a clear vision for success within the profession of private investigations.

As a professional investigator, I understand how helpful this technique can be and how important it is for us to learn from each other’s experiences in this field.

Thanks for taking the time to read about it today – I hope it has helped!

If you’re looking for a private investigator, contact our team at Urban Spy today.