Stoicism

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Stoicism
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• Stoicism was a philosophy that started with the
  basic insight of both Plato and Aristotle that we
  live in a lawful universe.

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• Stoicism was a philosophy that started with the
  basic insight of both Plato and Aristotle that we
  live in a lawful universe.

• The order discovered in nature gives witness to a
  divine intelligence at work both in the cosmos
  and in human beings.

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Zeno (336-264 B.C.E.)
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• Our real value as human beings is not in our
  individuality, but in our being a part of this
  great system of nature.

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• One of the most famous Stoic sayings is Live
  according to nature (Copleston, p. 139)

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• Whatever freedom humans can aspire to has much
  less to do with whether we are born slave or
  free, healthy or unhealthy, but whether or not we
  are free from slavery to our emotions.

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Poseidonius (135-51 B.C.E.)
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• Dualism is a viewpoint that separates the body
  and soul as not only different substances, but
  also somewhat opposed.

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• Roman Stoicism becomes much more a practice,
  rather than a theory, and in doing so takes on a
  religious function for many people.

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Seneca (3 B.C.E-65C.E.)
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• See that you are beloved by all while you live
  and regretted when you die.
• Wherever there is a human being there is room
  for benevolence.

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Epictetus (55-135 C.E.)
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• Philosophy was not to be studied for the sake of
  speculation, but to learn discernment.

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Marcus Aurelius (121-180 C.E.)
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• Since it is possible that you may depart from
  life this very moment, regulate every act and
  thought accordingly.

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Summary

• Life is like a theatrical play and your job is
  not complain about your role, but to play it well.

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• We grow into our freedom not only through the
  study of philosophy, but also through the
  practice of non-attachment to our emotions and
  acceptance of the conditions of our life.