The philosophy of Stoicism - Massimo Pigliucci

Summary

Zeno of Cyprus, shipwrecked and stranded in Athens, turned to philosophy after losing his wealth. His studies led to the founding of Stoicism, a philosophy emphasizing virtue, self-control, and acceptance of the world as it is. Stoicism advocates for practical wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage, influencing thinkers like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Its principles have resonated through centuries, impacting Christian theology and modern psychology, and inspiring figures such as Nelson Mandela.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Zeno of Cyprus, stranded in Athens, laid the foundation for Stoicism after losing his wealth in a shipwreck.
• 📚 Zeno's exposure to Socratic philosophy in a bookstore led him to engage with the city's philosophers, eventually founding Stoicism.
• 🏛️ The philosophy's name, Stoicism, derives from the Stoa Poikile, the decorated colonnade where Zeno taught his disciples.
• 🧘 Stoics view the universe as a rational structure governed by a web of cause and effect, termed logos.
• 💡 Stoicism emphasizes the control over one's reactions and attitudes rather than external events.
• 🌟 The four cardinal virtues of Stoicism are practical wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage.
• 📜 Seneca, a prominent Roman Stoic, advocated for the humane treatment of slaves, highlighting shared humanity.
• 🛡️ Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic emperor, applied Stoic principles to lead through wars and personal loss.
• 🌉 Nelson Mandela's encounter with Stoicism influenced his approach to peace and reconciliation during South Africa's racial equality struggle.
• 📖 Stoicism's influence persists through thinkers like Epictetus, whose views on suffering resonate with modern psychology and self-help.
• 🌿 Stoic concepts like Ataraxia find parallels in other philosophies and religions, such as Christian virtues and Buddhist Nirvana.

Q & A

Who was Zeno of Cyprus and how did his life change in Athens?

Zeno of Cyprus was a once wealthy merchant who became stranded in Athens around 300 BCE following a shipwreck. This predicament led him to discover philosophy, as he wandered into a bookshop and became intrigued by Socrates, eventually studying with the city's philosophers.

What significant philosophy did Zeno of Cyprus originate?

Zeno of Cyprus originated the philosophy known as Stoicism, which emphasizes virtue, tolerance, and self-control.

What is the origin of the name Stoicism?

The name Stoicism comes from the Stoa Poikile, a decorated public colonnade in Athens, where Zeno and his disciples used to gather for discussions.

What does the modern use of the word 'stoic' signify?

Today, the word 'stoic' is used to describe someone who remains calm under pressure and avoids emotional extremes.

According to Stoicism, what is the fundamental structure of the universe?

The Stoics believed that the universe operates according to a web of cause and effect, resulting in a rational structure they called logos.

What are the four cardinal virtues in Stoicism?

The four cardinal virtues in Stoicism are practical wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage.

How did Stoicism influence the treatment of slaves during Roman times?

Stoicism, through figures like Seneca, called for the humane treatment of slaves, emphasizing that all humans share the same fundamental humanity, despite the Roman laws considering slaves as property.

What challenges did Marcus Aurelius face during his reign, and how did Stoicism help him?

Marcus Aurelius faced two major wars and the loss of many of his children during his 19-year reign. Stoicism provided him with the resolve to lead the Empire through these challenges.

How did Nelson Mandela's experience with Stoicism influence his approach to leadership?

Nelson Mandela was guided and comforted by Marcus Aurelius's journals, which were influenced by Stoicism, during his 27-year imprisonment. This shaped his emphasis on peace and reconciliation, focusing on confronting past injustices and building a better future.

In what ways has Stoicism influenced modern psychology and self-help?

Stoicism has influenced modern psychology and self-help through concepts like the idea that suffering stems from our judgments about events rather than the events themselves. This has resonated with therapies like rational emotive behavioral therapy and Viktor Frankl's logotherapy.

What is the Stoic principle that logotherapy is based on?

Logotherapy, informed by Viktor Frankl's experiences, is based on the Stoic principle that we can harness our will power to fill our lives with meaning, even in the most dire circumstances.

How has Stoicism continued to influence thought and philosophy over the centuries?

Stoicism, though an active school of philosophy for several centuries in Greece and Rome, continues to influence thought and philosophy today, with Christian theologians like Thomas Aquinas admiring its focus on virtues, and parallels being drawn between Stoic Ataraxia and the Buddhist concept of Nirvana.