Stoicism is a school of philosophy that originated in ancient Greece, around the 3rd century BCE. It was founded by Zeno of Citium and later developed by philosophers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. Stoicism is primarily concerned with the development of virtue and wisdom as a means to achieve a tranquil and contented life.
Key principles of Stoicism include:
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Stoic Ethics: The primary focus of Stoicism is on ethics and the cultivation of virtue. Stoics believe that the only true good is moral virtue, and the only true evil is moral vice.
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Apathy (Apatheia): Stoicism teaches the importance of maintaining emotional equilibrium and inner calm in the face of external events. This does not mean complete emotional detachment but rather a rational and disciplined approach to emotions.
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Acceptance of Nature: Stoics emphasize the idea of living in accordance with nature, which means accepting the natural order of the universe and recognizing that some things are beyond our control.
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Determinism: Stoicism advocates the belief in determinism, the idea that everything that happens is determined by the universal order, fate, or God. While individuals have control over their own choices and actions, they cannot control external events.
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Contemplation of Death: Stoics often encourage contemplation of one's mortality as a way to gain perspective on life. This practice is intended to reduce the fear of death and help individuals appreciate the present moment.
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Indifferent Things: Stoicism classifies external things as either preferred, dispreferred, or indifferent. While virtue is the only true good, some external things are preferred (health, wealth, etc.) and others dispreferred (sickness, poverty, etc.), but ultimately, Stoics are taught not to be attached to these externals.
Stoicism has influenced many philosophical traditions and continues to be studied and practiced today as a practical philosophy for living a meaningful and resilient life, especially in the face of adversity.