Ethics of Stoicism PDF

Ethics of Stoicism  Credit: Elona Jean Abanto - Quiz Jhon Paul Almazor - Role play Katrina Alfaro - PPT, Quiz Tristan Lloyd Cuevas - Role play Jessica Joe- Reporter Ariel Catimbang - Role play Shawn Manguiat – R...

Ethics of Stoicism  Credit: Elona Jean Abanto - Quiz Jhon Paul Almazor - Role play Katrina Alfaro - PPT, Quiz Tristan Lloyd Cuevas - Role play Jessica Joe- Reporter Ariel Catimbang - Role play Shawn Manguiat – Reporter Henet Ayap - Role play Lax Andrei Carascal - Reporter CYNICISM: THE ORIGIN OF STOIC PHILOSOPHY Cynicism - founded by Antisthenes, a pupil of Socrates. Impressed by the lifestyle and philosophy of Socrates. Antisthenes founded a school called Cynosarges (the Silver Dog).  Introduction to Stoicism Like Epicureanism, Stoicism aims for happiness but asserts that true happiness is found through wisdom, not pleasure. This wisdom enables individuals to control what is within their power and accept what is beyond their control. The Stoics admired Socrates for his bravery in facing death and his emotional control under duress. They believed that excessive desires lead to unhappiness, and Cynicism's critique of hedonism set the stage for Stoicism’s development. THE STOIC PHILOSOPHERS Zeno of Citium Phoenician Study philosophy under Cynic philosopher Crates. Zeno of Citium was the known founderof Stoicism. He was a Phoenician who came to Athens as a young man to study philosophy under the Cynic philosopher Crates. Epictetus, the Sage Slave (c. 50-130 CE) Epictetus, born a slave, exemplified Stoic principles through his life experiences. His teachings emphasized controlling one’s reactions to circumstances, as he famously stated, "Bear and forbear." Despite his physical suffering and enslavement, he maintained that true freedom comes from inner control and perspective. The Stoic Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE) Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and philosopher, faced numerous challenges, including betrayal, loss, and warfare. He embodied Stoic virtues through kindness and moral integrity, often choosing mercy over vengeance. His writings combined classical philosophy with a spiritual depth, highlighting his character as one of the wisest and most compassionate rulers.  The Philosophy of the Stoics The center of Stoic philosophy is on ethical living, and the two principles in their moral teaching came from their physics. For the Stoics, the universal law governs the universe and, it admits no exceptions. The Stoics also believed that the essential nature of the human person is the reason. We can sum up these ideas by the famous Stoic maxim: "leave according to nature." This Stoic maxim has two aspects: the person should conform to nature, ie., he has to abide by the laws of the universe in a general sense, and by its actions to nature in the narrower sense, i.e., to their essential nature reason  The Human Drama The Stoic philosophy presents a fascinating view of life as a grand stage production directed by God. Each person is an actor playing a role chosen by the divine director. According to Epictetus, the key to wisdom lies in understanding and accepting one's role in this divinely directed drama. The Stoics also believed that moral virtue is the only good, that the Divine Providence governs the world, with every event happening for a reason, and that wisdom comes from understanding and accepting this fact.  The Stoic Morality Oikeiōsis, a central concept in Stoic philosophy, is derived from physics, which deals with the nature of living beings. It is difficult to directly translate this term into English, but we can interpret it as meaning "orientation" and "appropriation." Diogenes, quoting Chrysippus, described self-preservation as an animal's first impulse, as "nature, from the outset, endears it" (Kenny 2004, 280). All humans have a natural desire for self-preservation, and the most important desire of a person is to continue existing.  The Stoic Morality The Stoic philosophy offers a complex and multifaceted approach to morality, with self-preservation and adherence to reason at its core. Virtue, as defined by the Stoics, is the only real good and is necessary for happiness. This notion of virtue involves living in accordance with reason and accepting events as they occur, aligning oneself with the Divine Providence. Passions and emotions are seen as vices, to be eradicated in favor of complete dominance of reason. The Stoics' belief that the soul is not immortal led them to focus on the renunciation of temporal goods, motivated by a desire for tranquility of spirit. To summarize the point of the Stoics, one can follow this: while making reasonable efforts to get what we want, it is wise to learn to be happy with what we get.  Critique on Stoicism Stoic philosophy emphasizes surrendering to the will of the Divine Nature. This belief implies that hard work may be unnecessary, as success is predetermined by the Divine Director. For example, if the Divine Director wills that a person finish their studies, they will do so, regardless of their efforts. Conversely, if it is not willed, the individual may not be able to obtain their diploma, despite their hard work. This philosophy may lead to idleness, as individuals may feel that their actions have little bearing on their fate.