Stoicism

Abstract

Stoicism was one of the most influential schools of philosophy in antiquity and its influence has persisted to the present day. Originating in Athens around 300 BCE, Stoicism flourished for some five hundred years and has remained a constant presence throughout the history of Western philosophy. As one of the most popular philosophies of the Roman world, its doctrines appealed to people from all strata of ancient society - from the slave Epictetus to the emperor Marcus Aurelius. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to this great philosophical school. As well as outlining the central philosophical ideas of Stoicism, it aims to introduce readers to the different ancient authors and sources that they will encounter when exploring Stoicism. The book begins by introducing the ancient Stoics and their works. It then considers how the Stoics themselves conceived philosophy and how they formulated their own philosophical system. The core chapters examine Stoic philosophical doctrines in depth, taking each division of Stoic theory in turn: logic, physics, and ethics. The final chapter provides a fascinating account of the Stoic legacy from later antiquity to the present. The book includes a glossary, chronology and guide to further reading, which, together with its accessible yet authoritative approach, make it an ideal introduction for students and general readers.

Sustainable Development, Wellbeing and Material Consumption: A Stoic Perspective

“…Developed originally out of Cynicism, and particularly influenced by the teaching of Socrates and Plato (the Academics), most of what now constitutes both modern and Ancient Stoic thought comes from the Roman texts of Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, all of which occupy the later Stoa [10,11].…”

“…It is tied in a causal way to eudaimonia because, unlike any externals (health, material goods, pleasure, power, reputation and societal position), it can in and of itself bring about the highest level of fulfilment [18]. It is something that always and necessarily benefits humanity and, thus, its absence is the only guarantee of unhappiness and a lack of wellbeing, through an unhealthy (non-virtuous) state of mind [19]. This may seem strong, or even counter-intuitive but, as has been frequently noted by Stoics [20,21], wealth, health and absence of war do not necessarily constitute wellbeing, in the sense that one can be rich, free of disease and living at a time of a peace and still be utterly miserable (wretched) and unfulfilled.…”

“…"-Gill [61] Stoicism thus directly juxtaposes Bentham's utilitarian ideas of maximising individual "happiness" by supplying products and services with which to fill a perceived malaise. For a follower of Stoic philosophy, any discontent arises from the internal struggle created by unfounded or poor/mistaken value judgements (false impressions), which in turn lead to, and are responsible for, negative emotions [19]. Such feelings can then be remedied by returning to one's true nature, expressed through virtue and understood through shared kinship.…”

Moral Practice in Late Stoicism and Buddhist Meditation

“…Sellars 2006). While philosophical knowledge is important to the StoicsEpictetus claims that philosophical theories teach us "the things from which serenity arises and tranquility comes to us (I.4.28)"-one cannot live well without putting this knowledge into practice.…”

II—Virtue Without Excellence, Excellence Without Health

“…However, as Ian James Kidd (2012) argues, that does not mean we should seek out illness; it is a misfortune. But although illness is unwanted and unwelcome, one's reaction to such adversity may cultivate excellence by eliciting particular responses to it (Carel 2014b which sees our behaviour and attitudes as the only elements of life we have control over, since all external things, including life events, are beyond our control (Sellars 2006;Epictetus, Encheiridion, §i). But it has broader significance across many traditions that see illness as having an edifying potential (which is not to say that any of these traditions advocate deliberately falling ill).…”