Stoicism as a philosophy for an ordinary life | Massimo Pigliucci | TEDxAthens
TEDx Talks・16 minutes read
Zeno of Citium founded Stoicism to improve life through social interaction and reason, attracting notable figures like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Stoicism, despite waning with Christianity, influenced major figures like Paul of Tarsus, emphasizing practical wisdom, courage, justice, temperance, and the "dichotomy of control."
Insights
- Stoicism, founded by Zeno of Citium, evolved into a philosophy that stresses living in harmony with nature by focusing on what is within our control, like intentions and efforts, and distinguishing them from external outcomes.
- Epictetus, a key Stoic philosopher, highlights the importance of accepting personal responsibility for happiness, advocating for a role ethics approach that prioritizes actions benefiting humanity and emphasizes the continuous improvement towards being the best version of oneself.
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Recent questions
What is Stoicism and its core principles?
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium that focuses on improving life through social interaction and reason. The core principles of Stoicism include living according to nature, emphasizing social nature and reason, and aiming to improve society through practical wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. It also introduces the concept of the "dichotomy of control," distinguishing between what is within our power (opinions, desires) and what is not (body, reputation).
Who were some notable figures influenced by Stoicism?
Stoicism attracted notable figures like Seneca, a senator and playwright, and Marcus Aurelius, a king-philosopher. Despite waning with the rise of Christianity, Stoicism continued to influence major figures like Paul of Tarsus, Thomas Aquinas, René Descartes, and Baruch Spinoza.
How does Stoicism approach happiness and personal responsibility?
Stoicism, as taught by Epictetus, emphasizes that happiness lies in accepting what is within our control, like intentions and efforts, rather than external outcomes. It advocates for a role ethics approach, balancing roles as a human being, roles given by circumstances, and roles chosen, prioritizing actions that benefit humanity. The philosophy also stresses the importance of fulfilling ethical duties, such as staying with a sick daughter despite personal distress, and maintaining integrity in various roles with trade-offs.
What is the significance of role models in Stoicism?
Stoicism highlights the importance of emulating role models, whether ancient figures like Cato the Younger or modern examples like Nelson Mandela and Susan Fowler. By learning from these role models, individuals can understand the power of personal choices and responsibilities in striving to be the best version of themselves and improving gradually in life roles.
How does Stoicism view personal growth and integrity?
Stoicism advocates for personal growth by balancing social roles with practical wisdom and temperance, understanding the responsibilities tied to each role, and having the freedom to interpret and fulfill them in a personal way. Maintaining integrity, as emphasized by Epictetus, involves knowing one's worth, not compromising integrity for a low price, and achieving balance in various roles with integrity and ethical virtues like courage and justice.
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Summary
00:00
"Stoicism: Philosophy of Social Improvement and Reason"
- Zeno of Citium, a Phoenician merchant, turned to philosophy after losing everything in a shipwreck, starting with reading Xenophon's "Memorabilia" about Socrates in Athens.
- Zeno became a student of Crates, a Cynic philosopher, and later established Stoicism, a philosophy focused on improving life through social interaction and reason.
- Stoicism, a major ancient philosophy, attracted notable figures like Seneca, a senator and playwright, and Marcus Aurelius, a king-philosopher.
- Stoicism, despite waning with the rise of Christianity, influenced major figures like Paul of Tarsus, Thomas Aquinas, René Descartes, and Baruch Spinoza.
- Stoicism emphasizes living according to nature, focusing on social nature and reason, aiming to improve society through practical wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
- The philosophy also introduces the "dichotomy of control," distinguishing between what is within our power (opinions, desires) and what is not (body, reputation).
- Epictetus, a prominent Stoic philosopher, emphasized focusing on what is within our control, like intentions and efforts, rather than external outcomes.
- Epictetus, known for his blunt and sarcastic humor, taught that happiness lies in accepting what is within our control and not blaming others for what is not.
- Stoicism advocates for a role ethics approach, balancing roles as a human being, roles given by circumstances, and roles chosen, prioritizing actions that benefit humanity.
- Playing roles with integrity, as Epictetus suggests, involves knowing one's worth, not compromising integrity for a low price, and maintaining balance in various roles with trade-offs.
12:52
Striving for Best Self Through Role Models
- The goal is not perfection but to be the best version of oneself, improving gradually.
- Epictetus illustrates the importance of fulfilling ethical duties, such as staying with a sick daughter despite personal distress, emphasizing virtues like courage and justice.
- Balancing social roles involves practical wisdom and temperance, understanding the responsibilities tied to each role and the freedom to interpret and fulfill them in a personal way.
- Learning to excel in life roles can be achieved by emulating role models, whether ancient figures like Cato the Younger or modern examples like Nelson Mandela and Susan Fowler, emphasizing the power of personal choices and responsibilities.
