School of thought
Stoicism
School
Classification
- Period
- c. 300 BCE - 200 CE
- Regions
- europe
- Domains
- Ethics , Logic , Metaphysics
Overview
Stoicism teaches that virtue is the only true good, that the universe is governed by rational providence (Logos), and that wisdom consists in aligning one's will with nature. Founded by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE, it became one of the most influential philosophies of the ancient world, guiding emperors and slaves alike toward equanimity in the face of fortune.
Key ideas
- Virtue as the Sole Good: External circumstances — wealth, health, pleasure — are 'preferred indifferents.' Only virtue (wisdom, courage, justice, temperance) constitutes genuine good.
- Dichotomy of Control: Distinguish what is 'up to us' (our judgments, intentions) from what is not (events, others' actions). Freedom and tranquility come from focusing only on what we can control.
- Logos and Providence: The universe is governed by a rational principle (Logos). Everything that happens is part of a rational, deterministic order — the wise person embraces this with willing acceptance of fate.
- Cosmopolitanism: All humans share in the universal Logos and are fellow citizens of the cosmos. Stoic ethics extends naturally to universal human dignity and brotherhood.
Key figures
Zeno of Citium · Cleanthes · Chrysippus · Seneca · Epictetus · Marcus Aurelius
Methods used
Positions held
- Virtue Ethics
Question scope: The Basis of Right Action
Influenced by
Reacts to
- Epicureanism
The two schools competed directly on ethics (virtue versus pleasure) and physics (a providential logos versus the random swerve of atoms).
Later connections
- Neoplatonism Influenced by this tradition
- Patristics Influenced by this tradition
- Social Contract Tradition Influenced by this tradition
- Virtue Ethics Revival Influenced by this tradition
- Academic Skepticism Reacted to this tradition
- Pyrrhonism Reacted to this tradition
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stoicism
- Epictetus, Enchiridion
- Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers VII.2–4 (Zeno's apprenticeship under Crates the Cynic)
- A. A. Long, Hellenistic Philosophy: Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics (2nd ed., University of California Press, 1986)
- Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers VII.1–4 (Zeno's studies in the Academy under Polemo)
- Epictetus, Discourses I.20 and III.12; Enchiridion 1 and 20
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Epictetus
- A. A. Long, Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life (Oxford University Press, 2002)
- Meditations — Marcus Aurelius
- Letters from a Stoic — Seneca
- Discourses — Epictetus