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Panaetius and Posidonius UIJRT | United International Journal for Research & Technology | Volume 01, Issue 12, 2020 | ISSN: 2582-6832 Panaetius and Posidonius: The Birth of Humanism Panagiota Boubouli1 and Elias Yfantis2 1Moral Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Peloponnese, Social Theology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece 2Systematic Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy-Pedagogy-Psychology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece [email protected] and [email protected] Abstract— Both Panaetius and his student, Posidonius, passions. The humanistic ideal implies a human attitude contributed in the birth of humanism during Stoicism. to political and public problems. Panaetius’ views seem Panaetius influenced the Romans, since he referred to to have influenced the ideal ofhumanism, which was their principles of behavior according to a humanistic established in Scipio’s circle. [2] ideal. He introduced encyklios paideia, which is the Humanismwas used for actions more than theory and general education in levels, but he remained quite applied the generalized Greek theory on practice. faithful to the Stoic doctrine. Panaetius supported that Humanism was used as a term in every sphere of life. It man’s primary aim was to act as a rational moral agent. implied beneficence, magnanimity, kindness, courtesy, He stressed the distinctions between the physical literary taste and education and generally every property components of man and his soul, introducing the human that could derive from the desire for dignity. [23] side of Stoicism and the criteria of moral acts. Panaetiuswas based on the Socratic stream of Posidonius followed his teacher, but he made some philosophy. Socrates was the symbol and the main significant modifications. He was both a philosopher figure that discovered the humanistic ideal. The and a scientist. Posidonius eventually left the Stoic questions of Socrates about human behavior, human school entirely, since he desired to explore fields such valuesand justice are interpreted as the as geography and astronomy with the same attention to acknowledgement of truth. Beyond the conflicts, there detail that Stoicism afforded philosophy. Moving is a relationship among people, which bridges allgaps. It forward, he began to study both Plato and Aristotle in is the field of human essence and our ability to recognize depth, rejecting the rigidity of his educational the other speakeras our equal. It is a kind of civilization background. Posidonius’ multifarious aspects of thought that reconciles, since the civilization of focused on the cosmic sympathy, claiming that the humanismintroduces a distinction among people. On the irrational side of human nature was the root of our one hand, there are those who own this civilization passions. Posidonius was a polymath, developing a consciously and believe that nothing humane is foreign. panhuman code of ethics and contributing positively not On the other hand, there are those who play the role of only to the Stoic philosophy but also to history. In the an actorin the theatre of our universe, without knowing present paper, I am going to stress the two philosophers’ their real nature. [21] contribution into the development of humanism, as an In Hellenistic period,encyclios paideia is formed, integral part of Stoic Ethics. The method I used is the involving the knowledge of concepts and beliefs that analysis of each philosopher’s beliefs related to the regard all kinds of sciences. Stoicism supported the humanistic ideal and their influence on general liberation of the person, through his involvement in the education. The conclusion is that their main ideas are logic order of cosmos. The stoic theory demanded a shaped by practical philosophy for Panaetius and circle of studies which was far complicated. General theoretical approaches for Posidonius. The aim of this education (geniki paideia) was considered by Stoics as a paper is to show that the Stoic idea that the human being terminal on the way that leads to philosophy and is a microcosm of the universe is a part of general wisdom. Stoics introduced the method of allegoric education. interpretation of poems and traditional myths. They Keywords— Rational, Irrational, Humanism, Stoicism, looked at a more profound meaning in the texts they Panaetius, Posidonius. read, which could be of ethical or cosmologic nature. It was a criterion, a guide for general studies and it made I. INTRODUCTION possible the connection of Stoicism with the cultural According to the Stoic ethics, there has appearedan tradition. Panaetiusrejected the view that the virtuous awareness of common humanity, the fundamental nature life is possible only for the wise man. He thought that of all men, and the belief that this awareness should lead the intermediate levels had their own value. The to a sympathetic understanding of men’s actions and All rights are reserved by UIJRT.COM. 12 UIJRT | United International Journal for Research & Technology | Volume 01, Issue 12, 2020 | ISSN: 2582-6832 educated citizen, who obeyed to his social duties, is a nutrition and growth are involved. Panaetius discarded positive figure, although he is not a truly wise man.[21] Stoic monism and did not limit all functions of living beings in one principle. [20] II. PANAETIUS’ HUMANISTIC IDEAL Panaetius’ philosophy belongsto the humanistic phase of Stoicism. It is mainly evident in his corrections of Panaetius was born in Rhodes around 185 BC. He morality. In juxtaposition to the Early Stoics, who studied in Pergamum and Athens, close to the Stoics Diogenes of Babylon and Antipater of Tarsus. He wantedto live according to nature, he supportedto live moved to Rome, close to the circle of people according to the dispositions given by nature. The moral task has a bigger humanistic value, because it permits surrounding the Roman general Scipio Africanus. He anyone to fulfill himself according to natural became head of the Stoa in 128 BC, succeeding dispositions. Panaetius introduced the more human side Antipater.[18] Panaetius admired both Plato and Aristotle. Much of the information we have regarding of Stoicism and the concept of duties.[17] Socrates and the work of Plato is also attributed to The Stoic philosopher formulated guidelines to help Panaetius. Although he remained faithful to much of morally imperfect people to practice (Kathekonta), Stoic doctrine (enough to remain the head of the Stoa), concerning the proegmena, the naturally preferable he made some modifications in Stoic ethics. He rejected objects. Panaetius supported the appropriate way to the Stoic belief of the periodic destructionof the world, pursue material and social benefits (utilia), such as denying that virtue is sufficient on its own for happiness. wealth and public reputation.[7] Panaetius focused on However, following the Stoic orthodoxy, he denied the human motives, moral choices and decisions. In cases Platonic doctrine about the immortality of the soul (see the kathekontacollide between the beneficial and the Cicero,Tusc. 1.79). [18] moral right, he had determined four criteria of moral acts; the calculation of human nature, the aggregation of Panaetius described the positive obligations that refer to the well being of a society. He classified duties under personal skills and specific features, the consideration of four kinds of roles (personae). These duties are imposed social order andthe focus on free will.[11] by our human nature, our individual capacities and our Following the basic doctrine of Stoicism about a own choice. Propriety is achieved through the balance rationally directed universe, he focused on human of the obligations by the four roles. He rejects the nature. He thought that the world is arranged for the asceticism of early Stoics, giving to Stoicism a more benefit of mankind, placing astrology beyond human political orientation. He fostered peace, posterity and knowledge. Both Panaitius and Posidonius were eclectic political stability.[5] in new ideas. Posidonius was a Stoic and a Platonist, a rationalist and a mystic philosopher. Posidonius’ Panaetius supported that man should take into account principle was that theories must fit the facts. He placed the requirements of the rational nature. Nature is the root of evil within the soul, while he had a natural supposed to orientate, without leading men to goodness and virtue. Stoics claim that education is necessary, affinity to virtue and knowledge. Posidonius’ because natural tendencies are distorted from multifarious activities could be described as a cosmic sympathy, since he thought that the irrational side of infancy.[8] He followed a natural process, called human nature was the root of our passions.[14] familiarization or affiliation, to base his proposals on moral development. He thought that the four virtues had some infant roots. Wisdom has its roots to the innate III. POSIDONIUS’ POLYMATHY desire for knowledge, justice to the social impulses of Posidonius was born in Apamea, Syria, around 135 BC. rationality, courage to an impetus to success and He first studied in Athens, having Panaetius as his temperance to self- preservation. He defined human teacher, and then he moved to Rhodes to teach good as living virtuously and in agreement with philosophy. This may have happened because the nature.[5] headship at the Stoicschool in Athens had passed to Panaetius also stressed the distinctions between the Mnesarchus and Dardanus,after Panaetius’ death, physical components of man (physis) and his soul although Posidonius was the spiritual successor of (psyche). He found two powers opposed to each other, Middle Stoicism.[12] His mostfamous pupil was Cicero. the irrational and the rational. On the contrary to Pato Posidonius was a polymath,contributing not only to and Aristotle’s belief about the immortality of soul, Stoic philosophy but also to history, geography, Panaetius claimed that the soul is born and later it astronomy, meteorology, biology and anthropology.[15] dies.[17] He considered the procreative power of man as He developed a panhuman code of ethics, in which a principle of lower order, the φύσις (physis), in which justice had both positive and negative function.
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