the stoic view of life
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The Stoic View of Life. Introduction. Introduction. A school of the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire. Introduction. A school of the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the ‘painted porch’ in Athens. Introduction. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Stoic View of LifeThe Stoic View of Life
IntroductionIntroduction
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens SourcesSources
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens SourcesSources
Cicero: Cicero: de Finibus (On Ends)de Finibus (On Ends)
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens SourcesSources
Cicero: Cicero: de Finibus (On Ends)de Finibus (On Ends) Seneca: Seneca: Moral EssaysMoral Essays
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens SourcesSources
Cicero: Cicero: de Finibus (On Ends)de Finibus (On Ends) Seneca: Seneca: Moral EssaysMoral Essays Epictetus: Epictetus: Enchiridion (Handbook)Enchiridion (Handbook)
IntroductionIntroduction A school of the Hellenistic period A school of the Hellenistic period
and the Roman Empireand the Roman Empire Began with Zeno’s discourses in the Began with Zeno’s discourses in the
‘painted porch’ in Athens‘painted porch’ in Athens SourcesSources
Cicero: Cicero: de Finibus (On Ends)de Finibus (On Ends) Seneca: Seneca: Moral EssaysMoral Essays Epictetus: Epictetus: Enchiridion (Handbook)Enchiridion (Handbook) Marcus Aurelius: Marcus Aurelius: MeditationsMeditations
BackgroundBackground
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
Irrelevance of cities for valuesIrrelevance of cities for values
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
Irrelevance of cities for valuesIrrelevance of cities for values InsignificanceInsignificance
BackgroundBackground An age of EmpiresAn age of Empires
Irrelevance of cities for valuesIrrelevance of cities for values InsignificanceInsignificance Fatalism?Fatalism?
BackgroundBackground New Schools of ThoughtNew Schools of Thought
BackgroundBackground New Schools of ThoughtNew Schools of Thought
ScepticsSceptics - We can’t know anything- We can’t know anything
BackgroundBackground New Schools of ThoughtNew Schools of Thought
ScepticsSceptics EpicureansEpicureans - Avoid pain- Avoid pain
BackgroundBackground New Schools of ThoughtNew Schools of Thought
ScepticsSceptics EpicureansEpicureans CyrenaicsCyrenaics - Seek pleasure- Seek pleasure
BackgroundBackground New Schools of ThoughtNew Schools of Thought
ScepticsSceptics EpicureansEpicureans CyrenaicsCyrenaics CynicsCynics - Act like a dog: be - Act like a dog: be
naturalnatural
BackgroundBackground New Schools of ThoughtNew Schools of Thought
ScepticsSceptics EpicureansEpicureans CyrenaicsCyrenaics CynicsCynics StoicsStoics
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law To be a good thing is to be able to To be a good thing is to be able to
perform your proper function perform your proper function ((ergonergon) well.) well.
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law To be a good thing is to be able to To be a good thing is to be able to
perform your proper function perform your proper function ((ergonergon) well.) well.
To have a ‘proper function’ is a To have a ‘proper function’ is a normativenormative claim: there is a way a claim: there is a way a thing thing oughtought to be. to be.
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law To be a good thing is to be able to To be a good thing is to be able to
perform your proper function perform your proper function ((ergonergon) well.) well.
To have a ‘proper function’ is a To have a ‘proper function’ is a normativenormative claim: there is a way a claim: there is a way a thing thing oughtought to be. to be.
It is in the ‘nature’ of a thing.It is in the ‘nature’ of a thing.
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law To be a good thing is to be able to To be a good thing is to be able to
perform your proper function (perform your proper function (ergonergon) ) well.well.
To have a ‘proper function’ is a To have a ‘proper function’ is a normativenormative claim: there is a way a thing claim: there is a way a thing oughtought to be. to be.
It is in the ‘nature’ of a thing.It is in the ‘nature’ of a thing. There is a ‘law’ that applies to the There is a ‘law’ that applies to the
thing.thing.
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law To be a good thing is to be able to perform To be a good thing is to be able to perform
your proper function (your proper function (ergonergon) well.) well. To have a ‘proper function’ is a To have a ‘proper function’ is a normativenormative
claim: there is a way a thing claim: there is a way a thing oughtought to be. to be. It is in the ‘nature’ of a thing.It is in the ‘nature’ of a thing. There is a ‘law’ that applies to the thing.There is a ‘law’ that applies to the thing. There is a Law of Nature that applies to There is a Law of Nature that applies to
the entire universe.the entire universe.
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law Everything that happens in the Everything that happens in the
world is according to Nature world is according to Nature
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law Everything that happens in the Everything that happens in the
world is according to Nature world is according to Nature Welcome everything which happens, even if it seems Welcome everything which happens, even if it seems harsh, because it contributes to the health of the harsh, because it contributes to the health of the universe and the well-faring and well-being of Zeus. universe and the well-faring and well-being of Zeus. For he would not have brought this on a man unless For he would not have brought this on a man unless it had been advantageous to the wholeit had been advantageous to the whole
Norms, Nature, and LawNorms, Nature, and Law Everything that happens in the Everything that happens in the
world is according to Nature world is according to Nature Welcome everything which happens, even if it seems Welcome everything which happens, even if it seems harsh, because it contributes to the health of the harsh, because it contributes to the health of the universe and the well-faring and well-being of Zeus. universe and the well-faring and well-being of Zeus. For he would not have brought this on a man unless For he would not have brought this on a man unless it had been advantageous to the wholeit had been advantageous to the whole
NB: Zeus = Lawgiver = Law = NB: Zeus = Lawgiver = Law = NatureNature
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Man is different from all other things Man is different from all other things
in the world because Man is a in the world because Man is a rational animal. Man is ablerational animal. Man is able to act in to act in accord with or contrary to Nature. accord with or contrary to Nature.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Man is different from all other things Man is different from all other things
in the world because Man is a in the world because Man is a rational animal. Man is ablerational animal. Man is able to act in to act in accord with or contrary to Nature. accord with or contrary to Nature.
Proper aim of Man is to perfect Proper aim of Man is to perfect rationality and come into agreement rationality and come into agreement with Nature.with Nature.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Man is different from all other things Man is different from all other things
in the world because Man is a in the world because Man is a rational animal. Man is ablerational animal. Man is able to act in to act in accord with or contrary to Nature. accord with or contrary to Nature.
Proper aim of Man is to perfect Proper aim of Man is to perfect rationality and come into agreement rationality and come into agreement with Nature.with Nature. There is a path to perfectionThere is a path to perfection
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Man is different from all other things in Man is different from all other things in
the world because Man is a rational the world because Man is a rational animal. Man is ableanimal. Man is able to act in accord with to act in accord with or contrary to Nature. or contrary to Nature.
Proper aim of Man is to perfect Proper aim of Man is to perfect rationality and come into agreement with rationality and come into agreement with Nature.Nature. There is a path to perfectionThere is a path to perfection oikeioikeiôôsissis (affinity) evolves in step with (affinity) evolves in step with
perfectionperfection
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values CiceroCicero
We begin with a classification: the Stoics call We begin with a classification: the Stoics call “valuable” (this, I think, is the term we should use) “valuable” (this, I think, is the term we should use) whatever is either itself in accordance with nature, whatever is either itself in accordance with nature, or brings about something that is. Worthy of or brings about something that is. Worthy of selection, therefore, is whatever has sufficient selection, therefore, is whatever has sufficient importance to be worthy of value (value the Stoics importance to be worthy of value (value the Stoics call call axiaaxia). On the other hand, they call “non-). On the other hand, they call “non-valuable” what is contrary to the above. The valuable” what is contrary to the above. The starting-point, therefore, is that things in accordance starting-point, therefore, is that things in accordance with nature are to be adopted for their own sake, with nature are to be adopted for their own sake, and their contraries are likewise to be rejected. and their contraries are likewise to be rejected.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values CiceroCicero
With this established, the initial “appropriate action” With this established, the initial “appropriate action” (this is what I call the Greek (this is what I call the Greek kathêkonkathêkon) is to preserve ) is to preserve oneself in one’s natural constitution. The next is to oneself in one’s natural constitution. The next is to take what is in accordance with nature and reject its take what is in accordance with nature and reject its opposite. Once this method of selection (and likewise opposite. Once this method of selection (and likewise rejection) has been discovered, selection then goes rejection) has been discovered, selection then goes hand in hand with appropriate action. Then such hand in hand with appropriate action. Then such selection becomes continuous, and, finally, stable selection becomes continuous, and, finally, stable and in agreement with nature. At this point that and in agreement with nature. At this point that which can truly be said to be good first appears and which can truly be said to be good first appears and is recognized for what it is. is recognized for what it is.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values CiceroCicero
A human being’s earliest concern is for what is in accordance A human being’s earliest concern is for what is in accordance with nature. But as soon as one has gained some with nature. But as soon as one has gained some understanding, or rather “conception” (what the Stoics call understanding, or rather “conception” (what the Stoics call ennoiaennoia), and sees an order and as it were concordance in the ), and sees an order and as it were concordance in the things which one ought to do, one then values that things which one ought to do, one then values that concordance much more highly than those first objects of concordance much more highly than those first objects of affection. Hence through learning and reason one concludes affection. Hence through learning and reason one concludes that this is the place to find the supreme human good, that that this is the place to find the supreme human good, that good which is to be praised and sought on its own account. good which is to be praised and sought on its own account. This good lies in what the Stoics call This good lies in what the Stoics call homologiahomologia. Let us use . Let us use the term “consistency”, if you approve. Herein lies that good, the term “consistency”, if you approve. Herein lies that good, namely moral action and morality itself, at which everything namely moral action and morality itself, at which everything else ought to be directed. Though it is a later development, it else ought to be directed. Though it is a later development, it is none the less the only thing to be sought in virtue of its is none the less the only thing to be sought in virtue of its own power and worth, whereas none of the primary objects own power and worth, whereas none of the primary objects of nature is to be sought on its own accountof nature is to be sought on its own account..
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values 5 Stages to perfection5 Stages to perfection
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values 5 Stages to perfection5 Stages to perfection
1.1. Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values 5 Stages to perfection5 Stages to perfection
1.1. Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.2.2. Affinity to non-primary things like Affinity to non-primary things like
wealth.wealth.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values 5 Stages to perfection5 Stages to perfection
1.1. Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.2.2. Affinity to non-primary things like Affinity to non-primary things like
wealth.wealth.3.3. ‘‘appropriate actions’ that are appropriate actions’ that are
justifiable.justifiable.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values 5 Stages to perfection5 Stages to perfection
1.1. Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.2.2. Affinity to non-primary things like Affinity to non-primary things like
wealth.wealth.3.3. ‘‘appropriate actions’ that are appropriate actions’ that are
justifiable.justifiable.4.4. A A continuouscontinuous use of reason. use of reason.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values 5 Stages to perfection5 Stages to perfection
1.1. Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.Affinity to primary goods – food, etc.2.2. Affinity to non-primary things like Affinity to non-primary things like
wealth.wealth.3.3. ‘‘appropriate actions’ that are appropriate actions’ that are
justifiable.justifiable.4.4. A A continuouscontinuous use of reason. use of reason.5.5. A complete and consistent A complete and consistent
understanding.understanding.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Virtue is just what the person who Virtue is just what the person who
has achieved the perfection of has achieved the perfection of wisdom would do.wisdom would do.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Virtue is just what the person who Virtue is just what the person who
has achieved the perfection of has achieved the perfection of wisdom would do.wisdom would do.
Only Virtue is good.Only Virtue is good.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Virtue is just what the person who Virtue is just what the person who
has achieved the perfection of has achieved the perfection of wisdom would do.wisdom would do.
Only Virtue is good.Only Virtue is good. Other things – health, etc. – are Other things – health, etc. – are
indifferentindifferent: only good or bad in : only good or bad in relative terms. relative terms. Call them Call them preferablepreferable or or to-be-avoidedto-be-avoided..
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Virtue is just what the person who has Virtue is just what the person who has
achieved the perfection of wisdom achieved the perfection of wisdom would do.would do.
Only Virtue is good.Only Virtue is good. Other things – health, etc. – are only Other things – health, etc. – are only
good or bad in relative terms. good or bad in relative terms. Call them Call them preferablepreferable or or to-be-avoidedto-be-avoided..
Traditional virtues are required by Traditional virtues are required by Virtue.Virtue.
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Brotherhood of ManBrotherhood of Man
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Brotherhood of ManBrotherhood of Man
oikeioikeiôôsissis (affinity) expands to all (affinity) expands to all
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Brotherhood of ManBrotherhood of Man
oikeioikeiôôsissis (affinity) expands to all (affinity) expands to all Universal Law covers all equallyUniversal Law covers all equally
Virtues and ValuesVirtues and Values Brotherhood of ManBrotherhood of Man
oikeioikeiôôsissis (affinity) expands to all (affinity) expands to all Universal Law covers all equallyUniversal Law covers all equally
The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the fewThe needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few
CriticismsCriticisms
CriticismsCriticisms Why not settle for the merely Why not settle for the merely
preferable preferable since we can’t know since we can’t know what the Virtuous is? what the Virtuous is?
CriticismsCriticisms Why not settle for the merely Why not settle for the merely
preferable preferable since we can’t know since we can’t know what the Virtuous is? what the Virtuous is?
Is this the Is this the eudaimonia eudaimonia we really we really want? Independent of the world? want? Independent of the world? The virtuous man can be happy The virtuous man can be happy even while he’s on the rack.even while he’s on the rack.
PassionsPassions
PassionsPassions Since the world is irrelevant to Since the world is irrelevant to
happiness passions should not be happiness passions should not be engaged by worldly happenings.engaged by worldly happenings.
PassionsPassions Since the world is irrelevant to Since the world is irrelevant to
happiness passions should not be happiness passions should not be engaged by worldly happenings.engaged by worldly happenings.