Die Stoa - Philosophy PDF
Document Details
Uploaded by Deleted User
Tags
Summary
This document provides an overview of Stoicism, an ancient Greek school of philosophy. It details the key tenets of Stoic thought in physics and ethics, emphasizing rationality, virtue, and living in accordance with nature. The text outlines the Stoic view of the world, the role of emotions, and the pursuit of happiness (vita beata).
Full Transcript
# Die Stoa - Founded by Zeno of Citium (333-264 BC) - Name "Stoa poikile" (= painted arcade), because Zeno taught in it in Athens - Most influential school of philosophy in Rome, as it focused on practical action - Argued for action in service of the state - Virtue ethics aligns with ancient Roman...
# Die Stoa - Founded by Zeno of Citium (333-264 BC) - Name "Stoa poikile" (= painted arcade), because Zeno taught in it in Athens - Most influential school of philosophy in Rome, as it focused on practical action - Argued for action in service of the state - Virtue ethics aligns with ancient Roman values of _constantia_, _continentia_, _dignitas_, _auctoritas_, emphasizing _vita activa_ with a preference for politics, the well-ordered cosmos their sense of order, and natural law which resonated with their legal thinking - Representatives: Seneca, Marcus Aurelius ## Stoic Teachings ### Physics - The world originates from divine fire/divine mind (ratio/logos). - Each person has a spark of this primal fire within them. - All humans are equal! - After death, the soul/spark of the divine fire reunites with the primal fire; the soul is immortal. - The divine fire (= ratio/logos) permeates everything and directs the world (determinism!), plans everything in advance (providence). - Each person has a fate (fatum) - Human freedom: understanding what is predetermined and consciously submitting to it. - There is only one God (the reason/ratio/logos operating in all things); other gods are allegorical manifestations of the one God of Reason. - The end of the world will be by fire (creation and destruction recur in eternal cycles). ### Ethics - The highest goal: happiness (vita beata). - Working for the state and the common good is absolutely essential! - Achieving this goal: - Through reason (= a person understands the divine will and acts in accordance with it, living according to nature). - Through living according to nature = living according to reason. - Through living according to nature = living according to reason. - Reason completely dominates all opinions and passions. - This leads to the achievement of stoic tranquility. - It is necessary to avoid emotions, because they hinder _tranquillitas animi_ (apathy) = mastering emotions/passions; independence from fate, enabling a person to be happy). - The state of happiness is achieved by possessing _virtus_. - _Virtus_ enables understanding of true values. - _Virtus_ is the highest good. - The only evil: vice. - All other things are adiaphora/indifferent values (e.g., long life, possessions, fame, success), which do not hinder stoic serenity. - Suicide is permitted if living according to nature is no longer possible. - The theory of _oikeiosis_: Every living being seeks what is for its benefit and preservation (instinctive drives, e.g., self-preservation, community with humans, etc.). - Reason has the task of allowing or suppressing these drives.
