STOICISM

                                                

 

Stoicism was founded in Athens, about 310 BC by Zeno of Citium and brought to fuller systematic form by his successors, heads of the school, Cleanthes of Assos, and Chrysippus of Sole who died about 206 BC.

 

Important Stoic writers of the Roman period include Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.  Their doctrines continued little that was new, seeking to give a particular application to the dogma, which they took ready-made from previous systems with them.  Philosophy is the science of principles on which the moral life ought to be found.  The only allowable effort is towards the attainment of knowledge of human and divine things in order to regulate life.

 

The method to lead men to true knowledge is provided by knowledge;  physics embraces the doctrine as to nature and organization of ethics draws from them its conclusions of practical life.

 

Regarding Stoic logic, all knowledge originates in the real impressions of things on the senses where the soul is at birth a blank slate receives in the form of presentations.

 

These presentations, when confirmed by ripe experience are syllogistically developed by the understanding into concepts.  The test of their truth is the convincing or persuasive force with which they impress themselves upon the soul.

 

In physics the foundation of the Stoic doctrine is the dogma that all true being is corporeal.  Within the corporeal they recognize two principles, matter and force – that is the material and Deity (logos, order, fate) permeating and informing it.  Ultimately, however, the two are identical. There is nothing in the world with any independent existence all is bound together.  

 

The agreement of human action with the law of nature, of the human will with the divine will, or life according to nature is virtue the chief good and highest end in life. It’s essential one the particular virtues of Plato being only different aspects of it, it is completely sufficient for happiness and incapable of any difference in of degree,  All good actions are absolutely equal in merit and score all bad actions.

 

All that lies between virtue and vice and is nothing good nor bad it is distinguished as preferable, understandable, or indifferent.  Virtue is fully possessed only by the wise person which is in no way inferior to Zeus, he is lord over his own life and may end it by his own choice.

 

In general, the prominent characteristic of Stoic philosophy is moral heroism, after verging on asceticism.

 

The Stoics thought ethics was the most important component of their philosophy was about how to live one’s life in the best possible way.  However, they also believed that it is hard to develop ethics without two other components: understanding how the world appreciates the power and the limits of human reasoning.

 

Stoicism, therefore, was made of three areas of studying ethics, physics, and logic.   By physics the Stoics meant by today’s meanings would encompass natural science and metaphysics or what is called modern philosophy which would not have surprised ancient philosophers.

Stoicism is a philosophy designed to make us more resilient, more virtuous, more wise, and better people and professionals.          

   

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