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Zeno of Citium Founded Stoicism in the 3Rd Century B.C. by Adapting The Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism development before attempting happiness or comfort, but this is in the 3rd century B.C. by to correct others.4 an idea completely rejected by adapting the teachings of his the Stoics!9 “Living virtuously” is something favorite philosophers such as within the reach of every human We should focus on the things Socrates and Plato. After his being. It means personally and we can control10 (such as our death, his teachings were joined completely adopting ethical reactions, judgments, and by those of great Stoic writers characteristics such as personal improvement), rather such as Seneca (the Younger), Temperance, Courage, Wisdom, than worry about things outside Epictetus (a former slave), and and Harmony. our control (such as other Emperor Marcus Aurelius. people, our upbringing, or the Through several generations, We develop character as we live weather). Don’t try to fight the Stoicism1 went on to influence virtuously, accept responsibility, natural flow11 of the universe. Christianity2 and inspire great and close the gap between what Instead, accept what happens. thinkers such as Thomas we are doing and what we’re Aquinas, Spinoza, Nelson capable of doing. This quest to We can’t always control what Mandela, and Viktor Frankl. realize one’s greatest potential goes on around us, but we can was considered by the Stoics to control our mindset. Someone Today, we will consider three be the only true good and life’s with a stoic mindset, for powerful Stoic principles! most important purpose5. The example, may reframe and re- pursuits of wealth6, health, fame, contextualize their negative or pleasure were irrelevant!7 experiences as opportunities to calmly respond with dignity and What are some other important What does it mean to live a good heroism.12 life? Several philosophical virtues that we could more fully schools in ancient Greece adopt to lead better lives? When has a past misfortune led attempted to answer this to your character growth, in question, such as the Epicureans. retrospect? They taught that the ideal life was filled with pleasures and the “We suffer not from the events in avoidance of pain and fear. our lives, but from our judgment Negative emotions come from about them.” - Epictetus misunderstandings and should The Stoics, on the other hand, be controlled13 and corrected. believed that the good life could When life’s challenges arise, it is Start by aligning your thinking14 be realized if one lived common to think of oneself as with the nature15 of reality! An virtuously3. With virtuous living 8 the victim of a story, rather than accurate understanding of the made paramount, followers its hero. We may believe that we world gives rise to joy and the focused on their own character are entitled to some level of desire to live well. Version 2.0 (Mar 13, 2020) • For updated versions of this and other Discussion Primers, please visit: freethoughtforum.org/library • Your feedback is welcome! This document may be printed, copied, and distributed (without alteration) for non-commercial use. © 2020 FREE THOUGHT INITIATIVE (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) fame, and physical pleasure chain of events that includes are not necessarily good or all of history and everything 1. “No greater thing is created bad, but are “preferred that will happen in the suddenly, any more than a indifferents.” They are things future. bunch of grapes or a fig. If that we may prefer but are Therefore, everything that you tell me that you desire a not relevant or necessary for happens has a cause, and all fig, I answer you that there living a virtuous life or things that happen could not must be time. Let it first developing our ethical have happened differently. blossom, then bear fruit, character. If we have the Although Stoicism is a then ripen.” - Epictetus opportunity, we can accept deterministic philosophy, it them, but our happiness 2. “Time is a sort of river of is not a passive one, because should not depend on these passing events, and strong is our exercise of virtue is a unreliable luxuries. its current; no sooner is a part of this great chain of thing brought to sight than it 8. “What need is there to weep events. is swept by and another over the parts of life? The 12. “The greater the difficulty takes its place, and this too whole of it calls for tears.” the more glory in will be swept away.” - Seneca - Marcus Aurelius surmounting it. Skillful pilots 9. “When you arise in the gain their reputation from 3. “The essence of philosophy morning, think of what a storms and tempests.” is that a man should so live precious privilege it is to be - Epictetus that his happiness shall alive - to breathe, to think, to 13. We should not let negative, depend as little as possible enjoy, to love.” - Marcus impulsive emotions control on external things.” Aurelius - Epictetus us. We should instead use 10. “You have power over your our reason to cultivate 4. “If thy brother wrongs thee, mind - not outside events. positive emotions such as remember not so much his Realize this, and you will find gratitude and love. wrong-doing, but more than strength.” - Marcus Aurelius ever that he is thy brother.” 14. “We are too much - Epictetus 11. Stoic philosophy consists of accustomed to attribute to a three parts: Logic, Physics, single cause that which is the 5. “If one does not know to and Ethics. Stoics believe product of several, and the which port one is sailing, no logic and physics can inform majority of our controversies wind is favorable.” - Seneca our decisions, guiding us come from that.” - Marcus 6. “For the wise man regards towards more rational, Aurelius ethical choices. wealth as a slave, the fool as 15. “Do not seek to bring things a master.” - Seneca Stoic physics includes a to pass in accordance with 7. According to Stoicism, our belief that the universe your wishes, but wish for common preferences such began in a great cosmic fire. them as they are, and you as wealth, health, money, This fiery origin started a will find them.” – Epictetus Version 2.0 (Mar 13, 2020) • For updated versions of this and other Discussion Primers, please visit: freethoughtforum.org/library • Your feedback is welcome! This document may be printed, copied, and distributed (without alteration) for non-commercial use. © 2020 FREE THOUGHT INITIATIVE (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) .
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