Stage 2 Philosophy Stoicism L Notes
Topic One: Stoicism
Stoicism is a Hellenistic school of philosophy. It believes eudaimonia is telos (ultimate practical goal). This
means that stoics consider happiness to be the goal of life.
Stoics believed that false opinions are held regarding what in life will bring us happiness.
Framework: To claim that x is good is to claim that x is a causal source of happiness. It is virtual based.
Topic 1.1: Key philosophers
Zeno of Citium
Epictetus
Marcus Aurelius
Seneca
Quotes:
“There are more things... likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more in imagination
than in reality”
“Learning to live with less will create space in your life for the things that truly matter to you”
If you live in harmony with nature you will never be poor; if you live according to what others think, you will
never be rich.” – Seneca, Letters from a Stoic
Topic 1.2: Overview of Key Concepts
Stoicism focusses on fearlessness and tranquility
Two Pillars of Stoicism:
1. Dichotomy of Control
- Acceptance and indifference
- We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how it affects us
- We must learn to separate what we can control from what we cannot control
- We must derive our value from the things we can control
o The things we cannot control merit our acceptance and appreciation
o The things we can control are our desires, aversions, judgements, and moral purpose
2. Stoics’ Four Main Virtues
- Wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice
- Both Aristotle and Stoics believed virtue to be essential to happiness
- Stoics argue that a worthwhile life does not depend on ones external circumstance
o They seek to be indifferent to any external factors
Topic One: Stoicism
Stoicism is a Hellenistic school of philosophy. It believes eudaimonia is telos (ultimate practical goal). This
means that stoics consider happiness to be the goal of life.
Stoics believed that false opinions are held regarding what in life will bring us happiness.
Framework: To claim that x is good is to claim that x is a causal source of happiness. It is virtual based.
Topic 1.1: Key philosophers
Zeno of Citium
Epictetus
Marcus Aurelius
Seneca
Quotes:
“There are more things... likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more in imagination
than in reality”
“Learning to live with less will create space in your life for the things that truly matter to you”
If you live in harmony with nature you will never be poor; if you live according to what others think, you will
never be rich.” – Seneca, Letters from a Stoic
Topic 1.2: Overview of Key Concepts
Stoicism focusses on fearlessness and tranquility
Two Pillars of Stoicism:
1. Dichotomy of Control
- Acceptance and indifference
- We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how it affects us
- We must learn to separate what we can control from what we cannot control
- We must derive our value from the things we can control
o The things we cannot control merit our acceptance and appreciation
o The things we can control are our desires, aversions, judgements, and moral purpose
2. Stoics’ Four Main Virtues
- Wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice
- Both Aristotle and Stoics believed virtue to be essential to happiness
- Stoics argue that a worthwhile life does not depend on ones external circumstance
o They seek to be indifferent to any external factors
