...their contention that emotions such as fear, envy, or passionate love, etc. were the products of false judgement, which a sage, or a person who has attained moral and intellectual perfection (Baltzly). Moreover, the stoics hold true that the sage is “...utterly immune to misfortune and that virtue is sufficient for happiness” (Baltzly). The stoic philosophy was and is still is very popular for many people. The stoics had a particular way of thinking that affected their thoughts on philosophy and life, physical theory, logic, and ethics. It is here where we will explore these concepts, and how they were manifested by stoic philosophers. Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic Philosophy which was founded by Zeno of Citium in the early third century, BCE. The basis for the stoicism curiosity derives from the relationship between determinism and human freedom. Determinism, essentially meaning a cause and effect relationship, or basically, that events are bound by causes and determined by prior events. This kind of philosophy was seen as a way of life, and a way to live positively with nature, as opposed to a non-implantable philosophy. Philosophy, according to the stoics was a kind of practice “in the expertise concerning what is beneficial” (Baltzly). Stoic logic has become something of its own study, as it departs from traditional Aristotelean logic. This new kind of logic was termed, “propositional logic”. Thus, this logic was concerned with the statements or propositions...
Words: 789 - Pages: 4
...Hegel's understanding of the progression of human relations by contrasting her articulation of a "conversion" to a "stoic" ethics, perhaps more explicitly to the Stoic stage of Hegel's dialectic. Beauvoir calls the practice of stoic indifference in reaction to life's disappointments a condemnation of "that whole part of ourselves which we had engaged in the effort" to accomplish something. In such a reluctance to make oneself vulnerable, "one manages only to save an abstract notion of freedom . . . emptied of all content and all truth" (1948, 29). The phrase "emptied of all content and all truth" echoes Beauvoir's claim that, for Hegel, particularity is always vacated in favor of universality, ambiguity in favor of conclusiveness. [End Page 125] Recall that stoicism is the form of consciousness that resolves Hegel's master/slave confrontation in the section "Self-Consciousness" of the Phenomenology of Spirit. For Hegel, stoicism results from the internalization of the conflict between master and slave, the reconciliation of these two opposing modes of consciousness in the inwardly oriented person of reflection who is master of his or her own desire and who can rise above suffering and despair. An existentialist ethics, by contrast, retains a sense of particularity that refuses to be absorbed into a higher moment: "This conversion is sharply distinguished from the Stoic conversion in that it does not claim to oppose to the sensible universe a formal freedom which is without content...
Words: 488 - Pages: 2
...PHIL 100 MW Paper Eight: Stoicism In reading the stoic handbook by Epictetus I came to realize something that in one respect disturbed me, yet at the same time gave me a better understanding of who I am. While first reading this book of passages, I was shocked at the apparent coldness and lack of compassion that surrounds the stoic ideology. In various excepts, Epictetus speaks of the benefits in remaining non-emotionally attached to things that we as humans instinctively hold close to us, such as a wife or a child. He preaches that no matter how grim or misfortunate something might be, we can’t take pity on ourselves. Furthermore, Stoicism emphasizes the only harm one feels from an action is strictly their reaction to the action, not the event its self. Of course it is natural to want to reject such an uncompassionate, distant philosophy. Upon further reading however I came to realize that there is some merit in what stoicism and reacting based on reason rather than emotion has to offer us. Whether I see stoicism as a good thing or a bad thing, I am still unsure. It is easy to go after Epictetus with an explosive argument on why it is bad to live a life of passivity. After all it appears that stoics say not to love, to have passion, or to feel any emotion at all. This statement may have some truth to it; however, this philosophy doesn’t come out with its benefits as well. One thing is clear. I would never want to be stoic. The reason is very simple. I have to do what I want...
Words: 324 - Pages: 2
...4. Epistemological reception (III): The Stoics The basis of the Stoic interpretation of Homer’s and Hesiod’s epic poems is in many (although not in all) aspects an apology, meant as a response to the criticism of Xenophanes and Plato. Their point of view is based on a specific theory of transmission of knowledge and on a new reading of the common philosophical opposition of truth and opinion. The question about the possible allegorical status of these interpretations is heavily debated. On one hand, it was proven by several scholars that Heraclitus, the author of Homeric problems whose defense of Homer was often taken as the best example of a Stoic allegorical reading of epic poems, was not a Stoic philosopher. On the other hand, there is no consensus...
Words: 1052 - Pages: 5
...that were inextricably tied to intense emotion, the Stoics believed themselves to approach the wisdom of the sage and achieve a life more in accordance with nature (Esler). Letters of consolation further exemplify the Stoics’ dedication to the rejection of impassioned emotion. When writing to Titius in the wake of his sons deaths, rather than expressing a sense of understanding for the man’s loss, Cicero implores Titius to cease his mourning as engaging in such behavior would undermine the virtue of moderation as well as question his status as a man (Wilcox). Cicero does not do so to bluntly dominate Titius in a time of weakness. Cicero’s actions, instead, display his commitment to a genuine belief in emotional restraint and that intense...
Words: 1271 - Pages: 6
...Stoicism Stoicism is a philosophical teaching which has proven itself the most attainable and practicable ideology for the general citizen, baring ethics as its fruit. Stoics explain the world through physics, logic, and ethics. They draw attention to ethics and develop it as their primary importance of reason, while expanding on logic and physics as substance to strut their ethical resolves and principles. Originating from Greece, Stoicism evolved during the course of multiple periods, its inconsistencies being refined in the Roman hands and eventually popularized through Christianity with a slight, yet important modification (AOK 196, 224). Stoicism arose from Antisthenes’ Cynicism, using its foundation that the main personal pursuit was happiness was within the soul and that one had to use “rational control of all desires and appetites” (AOK 194). The Cynics, greatly influenced by Socrates’ lifestyle, had disdain for civilization for it weakened and corrupted the soul. They eventually turned away from everyone, becoming individualistic instead of brotherly. Their attention to happiness, or averting of unhappiness, was solely personal and showed their mistake of establishing their ideology on a “savage and uncultured nature,” instead of “a developed civilized nature” as the Stoic have (TSC 184) However, Cynicism had taught Diogenes who became the living icon of the cynical ideology “the less an individual needs to be happy, the less vulnerable he or she is,” becoming a...
Words: 1929 - Pages: 8
...study. The debate over whether or not human beings are purely physical in nature or something more is inherent within this ongoing discussion. Epicureanism and Stoicism will be explored to this end to better illustrate the varying theoretical and philosophical perspectives that are in place regarding both death and the element of the soul. In doing so, the acts of creativity that are relevant to this, for example, art, architecture, history, literature, music, and religion, will also be explored to better illustrate the subject. A Philosophical Roundabout Prior to moving into an in-depth consideration of the Epicurean and Stoic perspectives regarding the soul, it is useful to explore those related conceptions as advanced by other disciplines. Through a brief consideration of the views proposed by the Platonic school of thought those put forth by the Stoics and Epicureans will be effectively framed. The...
Words: 5329 - Pages: 22
...The school taught that virtue is the highest good and is based on the knowledge that the wise live in harmony with the divine reason that governs nature, and are indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain. The doctrine of Stoicism was known to have not remained constant over time. The Stoic doctrine is made up of three parts that include logic, ethics, and physics. Stoicism is essentially a system of ethics that is guided by logic as theory of method, and rests upon physics as a foundation. Mortality for them is stern and involves a life in accordance with nature and controlled...
Words: 1205 - Pages: 5
...Throughout the content of this paper I will specifically look at the following philosophies, stoicism, existentialism, hedonism, and Buddhism. These philosophies if adopted may contribute to ones’ own answer when determining the significance of their own life. The thinkers have established clear characteristics to each of these philosophies. I will discuss some of these attributes and share my view on what philosophy I identify most with and why. I am planning to additionally share what I do not like about the other beliefs. The philosophy that most resembles my thinking is stoicism. I believe in God our only one true creator. According to a true stoic our destiny or fate is predetermined by the divine. The daily happenings in our lives are inevitable and as a stoic we have the choice on how to respond. Our reasoned choice helps stoics, like me, make sense of the world including both good and tragic events. Although I agree with this thinking I must admit it is still challenging for me at times to understand why God has created a world...
Words: 770 - Pages: 4
...all the physical beauty, then beauty of human behavior, and eventually a man arrives to the branch of knowledge – nothing but ultimate beauty; only this way a man can understand what true beauty is. (Griffith, p. 67) However, regarding sexuality, Platonic dualism holds that the body is corrupted and because of this corruption the soul is suffering. Different philosophers, especially Greek and Roman Stoics and Gnostics used this concept to influence Christian understanding of sexuality. This way people would care more about their soul and stop spreading “pagany.” Under Platonic dualism the flesh is considered evil and the soul is trapped inside the evil body. The basis in Platonic dualism found both Stoic and Gnostic philosophies; both played a significant role in the foundation of Christianity and deciding for a place for sexuality in it. Stoicism movement believed that emotions, impassioned sexual attachments, passionate love of anything, arose from different false judgments; a person who attained moral intellectual and moral perfection would not experience such emotions. Stoics believed that pleasures by sex were dangerous, impossible to control, and harmful to men’s health. Also, sex was something that soul is struggling to discard when it is willing to rise to heaven. Gnosis is the Greek word that means “knowledge.” Gnosticism is based on mythology, either than theology or philosophy, believing that “the soul is trapped in the corrupt prison of the body.” (Power Point) Gnostics...
Words: 861 - Pages: 4
...student of the Cynic philosophy Crates, who established his own philosophical school in 300 BCE. Since Zeno taught in a stoa in Athens, his philosophy became known as Stoicism. Diogenes Laertius incorporated the content of Zeno’s successors, Cleanthes and Chrysippus, to provide a brief outline of Stoic philosophy in the third century called Lives of Eminent Philosophers. According to Diogenes, Stoicism falls into three parts: reason, physics and ethics. Zeno was the first philosopher to make this tripartite division and other Stoic philosophers, including Chrysippus followed. These three philosophy divisions are interdependent and therefore cannot be study without touching on all three divisions. Stoicism’s three divisions are complicated in theory. According to Zeno, the goal of life is to “live in agreement with nature, which is to live according to virtue.” This essential injunction to live at one with nature, the ‘harmonious logos' according to Zeno, still persists today. When lives in harmony with nature, they gain peace of mind and the reward of virtue. Zeno believed that humans gravitate toward virtue in pursuit of self-preservation. Physics, or Nature in Stoic Philosophy, is the ordering principle of the universe constructed by Divine Reason, or God. The idea of the universe working according to a preordained cyclic pattern was endorsed by Zeno. In order to “grasp” the natural laws or God’s design of morality in their entirety you have to use the path of...
Words: 444 - Pages: 2
...Cicero: On Moral Ends Book I: Establishment of Epicureanism through Torquatus Epicureanism appeals to the masses for its notion that happiness and pleasure consists of performing right and moral actions for one’s own sake. Pleasure is the highest good, without need for justification because we perceive them as true through our senses, and pain is the highest evil. Epicurean Pleasure: Greatest pleasure is freedom from pain, Cicero says not true. * “The pleasure we deem greatest is that which is felt when all pain is removed. For when freed from pain, we take delight in that very liberation and release from all that is distressing.” (1.37) * “Every animal as soon as it is born seeks pleasure and rejoices in it, while shunning pain as the highest evil and avoiding it as much as possible. This is behavior that has not yet been corrupted, when nature’s judgment is pure and whole.” (1.30) * Kinetic pleasure: “the sort of pleasure which stirs our nature with its sweetness and produces agreeable sensations in us.” (1.37) * No one desires pain because it is pain, but there are times where “effort and pain are the means to some great pleasure,” (1.32) such as hard bodily exercise leading to an agreeable state thereafter. * Conversely, those who are blinded and corrupted by immediate pleasure and fail to see the pain to come or those who abandon their duties by avoiding effort and pain are to be criticized. (1.33) Physics: Physics explains nature, and by understanding...
Words: 958 - Pages: 4
...Zeno of Cilium believed that the world was ruled by a divine plan and that everything in nature, including humans, was there for a reason. The Stoics believed that to live in accordance with nature was the ultimate virtue. The most important derivative of this “divine plan” theory was the belief that whatever happens, happens for a reason; there are no accidents; and all must simply be accepted as part of the plan. The good life involved accepting one’s fate with indifference, even if suffering was involved. Indeed, courage in the face of suffering or danger was considered most admirable. The Stoics believed that the joy in life came in knowing that one was participating in a master plan, even if that plan was incomprehensible to the individual. The only personal freedom was in choosing whether to act in accordance with nature’s plan (Hergenhahn, 2009). The Stoics would say that Hans’ fear of horses (equinophobia) was nature’s plan; therefore he should live in accordance with it. Hans witnessed the event of the horse falling to its death and taking down passengers for a reason. It was not an accident or coincidence that the event occurred while he was at the scene so he should accept his fate and push through the suffering of his overall fear...
Words: 2095 - Pages: 9
...Although a completely stoic attitude as described by Epictetus may seem completely inapplicable to modern life, there are many ideas that are not only still prevalent today, but also that provide good advice to consider in modern society. While a complete dissociation with emotion is impossible, Epictetus seemed to emphasize a tight control over those emotions rather than a lack of emotion altogether. Epictetus encourages humans to sympathize and help others through their tough times without involving their own feelings. In section 16, he applies this idea to a person grieving for their lost loved ones, saying “do not hesitate, however, to sympathize with him verbally, and even to moan with him if the occasion arises; but be careful not...
Words: 487 - Pages: 2
...Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 The Origin of the Skeptical Philosophy in Ancient Greece ............... 1 Academic Skepticism ............................................................................ 3 3.1 Arcesilaus .......................................................................................... 3 3.2 Carneades .......................................................................................... 4 Pyrrhonian Skepticism ......................................................................... 4 4.1 Pyrrho and Timon.............................................................................. 5 4.2 Aenesidemus ..................................................................................... 5 Critical Evaluation of Ancient Skepticism.......................................... 6 List of references ...................................................................................ii Ancient Skepticism i  1 Introduction Ancient skepticism is a wide and important topic in the ancient Greek philosophical schools of thought and has been further developed in contemporary philosophy. It describes the attitude to be doubtful about any claim of knowledge and certainty. The term derives from the Greek skepsis meaning "enquiry", and hence already alludes to the situation in which individuals should question their own beliefs of knowledge claims. Even if knowledge...
Words: 2269 - Pages: 10
