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Antisthenes (Cynics): Taught that virtue, not pleasure, is the purpose of life
Cardinal Virtues of Stoicism
Comparison to Christianity: Some see Stoicism as a precursor to aspects of Christianity, particularly its emphasis on enduring suffering and anticipating a better future
Criticisms of Stoicism - Fatalism/Passivity:
Everything is connected by cause and effect, tracing back to a prime cause.
Habit Formation: Epictetus: "Whatever you would make habitual, practice it
Interlocking System of Stoicism
Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus urged themselves to maintain indifference to circumstance and value only moral choice
Nature as Orderly: The premise that nature is orderly and rational (logos) may be questioned; some perceive nature as chaotic
Plato believed in rejecting the material world in favor of ideal, spiritual forms (idealism)
Potential Criticisms of Stoicism - Modern Physics:
Some philosophical ideas (like reincarnation and stoicism) emerged during an "axial age" where religious reformers questioned traditional rituals
Some, like Nietzsche, criticized Stoicism (and Christianity) as "slave philosophies
Stoa" (porch), which is where the term "Stoic" comes from
Stoic Extreme Absolutes: The idea of being "all good or all bad" (100% virtuous or not at all) doesn't account for modern understandings of mental illness
Stoicism and Star Trek
Stoicism in Practice
Stoicism is materialist, learning through empiricism,
Stoics’ Optimism about Mind Control: May be overly optimistic
The goal is to live in accord with nature, which is inherently logical and rational ("logos").
The recent rise of Stoicism parallels aspects of a perceived "declining empire" or a post-modern loss of optimism and a sense of individual powerlessness
Uncontrollable events like cold weather are part of fate and destiny. The Stoic sage remains unaffected by these external circumstances
Virtue vs. Vice: The only true good is virtue (rational disposition); the only evil is vice (irrational action)
Zeno wrote "The Republic," a work that countered Plato's, envisioning an egalitarian society.
Zeno: A rich Greco-Phoenician merchant and student of Crates (a Cynic). He developed his own ethical system