Epictetus, (born ad 55, probably at Hierapolis, Phrygia [now Pamukkale, Turkey]—died c. 135, Nicopolis, Epirus [Greece]), Greek philosopher associated with the Stoics, remembered for the religious tone of his teachings, which commended him to numerous early Christian thinkers.

What did Epictetus say about stoicism?

For the Stoics, the only good thing is whatever improves our character, and the only bad thing is whatever undermines it. Everything else may be preferred or dispreferred, but it's not truly good or bad.

What is the philosophy of Epictetus?

Epictetus taught that philosophy is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are beyond our control; we should accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately.

Is Socrates a Stoic?

Socrates was a hugely important precursor of ancient Stoicism. ... Emulation of Socrates as a role model was clearly central to later Stoicism and perhaps goes right back to Zeno himself. Epictetus makes far more references to Socrates than to any other philosopher.

How did Epictetus the Stoic view the gods?

More emphatically than any other Stoic in our record, Epictetus speaks of Zeus or God in terms that treat the world's divine principle as a person to whom one is actually present and who is equally present to oneself self as an integral aspect of one's mind.

Introduction to Stoicism

31 related questions found

Was Marcus Aurelius a Stoic?

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the last famous Stoic philosopher of antiquity. During the last 14 years of his life he faced one of the worst plagues in European history. The Antonine Plague, named after him, was probably caused by a strain of the smallpox virus.

What is the whole in stoicism?

In Stoic physics, the Earth and the universe are all part of a single whole.

Why is stoicism wrong?

So Stoicism is inimical to freedom. It is true that we cannot control everything, but Stoicism is the wrong response. ... But Stoicism is unable to work the “magic” of emotion, as Sartre says. In his view, people initiate emotions when they are confronted with obstacles they seemingly have no rational way of overcoming.

Is Buddhism a stoicism?

Stoicism and Buddhism are two remarkably similar philosophies that were created independently thousands of miles apart. ... As philosopher and author Nassim Taleb once wrote on the similarities between the two: “A Stoic is a Buddhist with attitude.” Sure, both of them differ in their explanations of how our world works.

Is Voltaire a stoic?

As a Roman Stoic who spent eight years in exile and was sentenced to death by his former student Nero, he had a fair bit to say on keeping your head above water. His school of thought argued that we should not base our happiness or misery upon the variable acts of Fortune.

Can a Stoic be happy?

We have no influence over how external events will unfold, but we do have complete control over our own opinions and judgments about everything. It is one of the six Paradoxes of Stoicism.

Was Epictetus married?

Epictetus never married but adopted a child out of benevolence. Although Epictetus is said to have been crippled in one leg and walked around Nicopolis with a limp, he nevertheless remained active, teaching and lecturing until his death in 135 CE.

What is the difference between epicureanism and Stoicism?

In summary, a simple heuristic to remember the difference between the Stoics and the Epicureans: The Stoics cared about virtuous behavior and living according to nature, while the Epicureans were all about avoiding pain and seeking natural and necessary pleasure.

Did Marcus Aurelius know Epictetus?

Though far from a Stoic himself, he was reputedly a personal friends of Epictetus. Marcus was close to Hadrian, who chose him to succeed Antoninus, his immediate heir. So it's quite possible Marcus first heard of Epictetus from Hadrian and others members of his court.

Who made stoicism?

Stoicism takes its name from the place where its founder, Zeno of Citium (Cyprus), customarily lectured—the Stoa Poikile (Painted Colonnade). Zeno, who flourished in the early 3rd century bce, showed in his own doctrines the influence of earlier Greek attitudes, particularly those mentioned above.

What is the good life according to Epictetus?

Epictetus believes that for a person to have the Good Life, they should not let the death of someone they loved to make them unhappy, that the judgment of death is what makes a person unhappy, that a person should prepare themselves for an event that will happen, that a person must do any task assigned to them, and ...

Is Stoicism allowed in Islam?

Islam probably shares some common themes with Stoicism, as do certain strands in Jewish and Christian thought. ... However, scholars believe that the writings of arab Muslim scholar Al-Kindi may provide the best example of a more direct link between Islam and Stoicism.

Is Zen a Stoicism?

Zen Stoicism is a hybrid philosophy that aims to master the two fundamental experiences of human nature: thinking and being. The philosophies of Zen Buddhism and Stoicism have helped improve people's lives for centuries.

Is Mindfulness a Stoic?

There is an element of mindfulness in Stoicism, which involves sustained attention to present-moment experience. Stoic meditations include reflecting on one's inevitable death (memento mori) to put one's experiences and values in a proper perspective.

Why did Nietzsche hate stoicism?

Nietzsche believed that the Stoics are deluded in thinking that buried within those rules of nature is an ideal path that human beings could follow. This is “virtue”, which for the Stoics was one and the same as “living according to nature.”

Is stoicism toxic masculinity?

Traits of toxic masculinity include themes of: mental and physical toughness. aggression. stoicism, or not displaying emotion.

Was Nietzsche a Stoic?

The truth is that Nietzsche himself, in his later years, became highly critical of Stoic and Epicurean philosophy. After some ambivalence in his middle years, he also rekindled his early hostility to Socrates, the Stoics' idol. Socrates, the young Nietzsche argued, represented a turning point in world history.

Is Christianity based on stoicism?

Among the parallels between Stoicism and Christianity, both are monotheistic. Stoicism follows Heraclitus and believes in one Logos; Christianity follows Jesus, and requires followers to believe in the one true God and have no other gods before him [her].

Do Stoics believe in Jesus?

Stoicism follows Heraclitus and believes in one Logos; Christianity follows Jesus, and requires followers to believe in the one true God and have no other gods before him [her]. Additionally, both Stoicism and Christianity serve the will of the Logos/God.

Was Kant a stoic?

She is a Kantian, and made the point that Kant is a type of Stoic, in that he recognizes the need to act according to reason in ethics rather than be influenced by our emotions.