stoicism - catherine edwards

📍 Background

  • Stoicism = a school of philosophy

  • Originated in Athens (3rd century BCE)

  • Strong influence on Seneca

🌟 Core Beliefs of Stoicism

1. Virtue = The Only True Good

  • Happiness depends entirely on virtue (virtus)

  • Only moral goodness matters

  • Everything else is indifferent, including:

    • Wealth

    • Status

    • Health

    • Family

2. Living According to Reason & Nature

  • Humans share reason (ratio) with the divine

  • Philosophy = pursuit of right reason

  • Goal: live in accordance with nature

  • This leads to the highest good (summum bonum)

3. Control & Indifference

  • Focus only on what you can control (your virtue)

  • Ignore external things (outside your control)

  • Reject false beliefs like:

    • Wealth = success

    • Power = happiness

🧘 Mental State & Self-Control

Key Goal: Tranquillity (securitas)

  • Calm, undisturbed mind

  • Freedom from emotional disturbance

Emotions (Passions) = Negative

  • Called passions (affectus)

  • Caused by incorrect judgments

  • Key problematic emotions:

    • Desire (especially for wealth)

    • Fear (especially of death)

    • Anger

    • Grief

➡ Solution:

  • Control impulses (impetus)

  • Develop self-mastery

🏛 Stoicism in Daily Life

  • Practise virtue in:

    • Family life

    • Community

    • Politics

  • BUT remember:

    • These roles are still ultimately indifferent

⚖ Duty & Roman Society

  • Stoicism emphasises duty

  • Fits well with Roman values

  • Encourages participation in:

    • Public life

    • Politics

  • You can be both:

    • A Stoic

    • A Roman senator

📜 Popularity in Rome

  • Adopted by Roman elites (Late Republic)

  • Influenced thinkers like:

    • Cicero (partially Stoic, also Platonic)

💡 Key Idea: Happiness in Any Circumstance

  • You can live a good life regardless of situation

  • Especially appealing in:

    • Times of instability

    • Lack of control

👑 Context: Seneca & Nero

  • Seneca lived under Emperor Nero

  • Period marked by:

    • Executions

    • Political instability

  • Stoicism helped deal with:

    • Fear

    • Lack of control

⚰ Stoic View on Death

  • In extreme cases, ending one’s life may be justified

  • Must be:

    • Carefully considered

  • Seen as:

    • Final act of freedom and control

  • Important in oppressive situations (e.g. tyranny)

🔑 Key Concepts to Remember

  • Virtue = only good

  • Indifference to externals

  • Reason = guide to life

  • Self-control = essential

  • Tranquillity = goal

  • Freedom through mindset