Stoicism and Epicureanism: Philosophical Concepts and Principles
Explore the philosophical schools of Stoicism and Epicureanism, delving into material monism, ethical tenets, and concepts of happiness. Discover the Stoic emphasis on rationality and the common good, contrasted with Epicurean notions of freedom from disturbance and the endorsement of fortuna. Uncover the diverging views on determinism, astral influence, and astrology within these ancient philosophies.
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Presentation Transcript
Roots of Stoicism 515-445 ca. 420 BCE 384-322 BCE 341-270 BCE ca. 300 BCE 99-55 BCE 4 BCE 65 CE 121-180 CE Parmenides Demokritos Aristotle material monism corpuscular-atomic theory astronomy, logic, physics, meteorology, biology, psychology... Epicureanism Epicurus Zeno Lucretius Seneca Stoicism Epicureanism (De Rerum Natura) Stoicism M. Aurelius Stoicism
Material Monism Everything that exists is composed of a single substance, a material substrate. The substrate is both the material and also the temporal source of existing things. The substrate is in itself ungenerated, eternal, and self- consistent. Observable differences among existing things are results of variations of that substrate. Existing things are phenomenal and ephemeral, in the sense that they are (a) perceptible and (b) undergo coming-into- being and passing-away.
Stoicism : Zeno of Kitium (ca. 300 BCE) Physics / Theology Universe essentially one "stuff" material, animate, rational, divine. Differences attributable to different degrees of tension (tonos) or frequency. Logos (Rationality) = God = Fate = Reason = Fire. Universe periodically destroyed by fire (ekpyrosis), followed by emergence of new, identical universe. Hard determinism.
Stoic Tenets Ethics Free will = to will the necessary. Unhappiness = refusal to conform to inevitable. Virtus = only good, only evil = failure to achieve it; all else indifferent. Pain and death not evil; pleasure not a good; life itself not inherently good. Happiness = freedom from disturbance (apathia) from outward events and inward passions. Commitment to rationality pursuit of the common good, selfless commitment to family, city, nation, and race.
Epicurean happiness (ataraxia [lit. not being shaken]) = freedom from disturbance Stoic happiness (apathia [lit. not feeling ]) = freedom from disturbance
Epicurean endorsement of fortuna (chance) rejection of determinism and astral influence. Stoic endorsement of fortuna ( destiny ) acceptance of ultimate determinism of universe, including astral influence.
Astrology PRO Stoic monism sympathia divination seasons, tidal flow influence on elements humoral affects CONTRA Epicurean atomism distance too great skewed perspectives different personal outcomes lack of uniform influence logical contradictions moral (ir)responsibility
Ptolemy (85-161 CE) Math matik Syntaxis (= Almagest) Tetrabiblos
ASTROLOGY ROMAN REPUBLIC
155 Embassy of Greek philosophers (Aristotelian, Stoic, Skeptic) to Rome Riots between populist and conservative factions 121 107-100 Militia restructured as standing army 87-85 Riots between supporters of generals Marius (populist) and Sulla (conservative) Dictatorship of Sulla 82-78 77-71 Rise to power of Pompey (conservative) 60 Alliance (First Triumvirate) of Pompey, J. Caesar (populist) and Crassus ($) Tensions between Pompey and J. Caesar civil war; J. Caesar victorious Assassination of Caesar by republican faction headed by M. Brutus 49-47 44 42 Deification (katasterism) of J. Caesar by Octavian 43 Alliance (Second Triumvirate) of M. Antony (populist), Octavian (conserva-tive) and Lepidus ($) Empire divided between Antony (East) and Octavian (West) 40-32 30 Antony defeated by Octavian at Battle of Actium 27 Octavian receives title of Augustus and lifetime absolute power (imperium)
Stoicism and Roman Values collective vs. individual good emphasis on duty (officium) over desire (amor) endorsement of divination
Astrology in Rome astronomical/astrological hierarchies and political hierarchies imperial endorsement widespread popularity personal astrologers for prominent/wealthy individuals political danger of astrological forecasts later bans on casting imperial horoscopes
