Stoics and Stoicism
Not what you're looking for?
I keep hearing about stoicism and do not understand the meaning of the concept. Can you explain to me what stoicism is and the basic philosophy of the stoic? Thanks.
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
This solution explains these concept and philosophy: Stoics and Stoicism, and examples are provided, as well as references. Supplemented with an overview of the concepts for further understanding.
Solution Preview
Stoicism
Stoicism was one of the new philosophical movements of the Hellenistic period. The name derives from the porch (stoa poikilê) in the Agora at Athens decorated with mural paintings, where the members of the school congregated, and their lectures were held.
Unlike 'epicurean,' the sense of the English adjective 'stoical' is not utterly misleading with regard to its philosophical origins. The Stoics did, in fact, hold that emotions like fear or envy (or impassioned sexual attachments, or passionate love of anything whatsoever) either were, or arose from, false judgements and that the sage--a person who had attained moral and intellectual perfection--would not undergo them. The later Stoics of Roman Imperial times, Seneca and Epictetus, emphasise the doctrines (already central to the early Stoics' teachings) that the sage is utterly immune to misfortune and that virtue is sufficient for happiness.
Our phrase 'stoic calm' perhaps encapsulates the general drift of these claims. It does not, however, hint at the even more radical ethical views which the Stoics defended, e.g. that only ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy
Short quiz relating to Descartes
The World Health Organization
This quiz assesses the students knowledge about the World Health Organization. Although listed under “Philosophy” it is relevant to health care, political science, pre-med, and social scientist students as well.