Zeno of Citium

Zeno of Citium (333-261 BC) was the first Stoic. Zeno’s father was a merchant of purple dye and used to come home from his travels with books for Zeno to read. Among them were philosophy books purchased in Athens which aroused Zeno’s interest in philosophy and Athens. As a result of a shipwreck, Zeno found himself in Athens, and while there, he decided to take advantage of the philosophical resources the city had to offer. He went to a bookseller’s shop and asked where men liked Socrates could be

Stoicism owes its origin to Zeno of Citium that not only lived in Athens but also actively taught. This was way back in 300 BC. His ideals gained enormous popularity amongst the ruling Romanian class. As a matter of fact, a majority of the surviving Stoic books were authored by Roman Stoics, more especially, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Epictetus more particularly provides interesting ideas that help understand the role of stoicism in human life (Aetius, 1879). Many times, modern philosophers

Based upon the reading of both Plato and Aristotle I couldn’t help noticing that they had the same idea towards what can make an effective society. Starting with elitism as a basis, they both defined it as the rule of the few who are excellent in ruling. Although both Aristotle and Plato both agree on the definition they had two different beliefs as to what elitism was according to their beliefs. Aristotle believed that those who hold the power in this elitist political system was through a system

Epictetus was born in 55 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia and he died in 135 AD in Nicopolis, Achaea. He was born to the life of a slave and died as a great roman philosopher. As a slave he studied Stoic philosophy due to his owner recognizing his intellectual potential. He studied under the Musonius Rufus. He was granted freedom after Emperor Nero’s death. After some time Epictetus had gained his freedom and opened up his own school of philosophy where he taught up until he was exiled from Rome. After

that happiness is evil, emotion is to be avoided at all costs and pleasure is wicked. Although they do stress control over strong emotions and that pleasure is not the sole end of life, this is a gross misunderstanding of Stoicism. According to Dr. Zeno Breuninger, "Stoics believe a person is born with everything he needs." The Stoic seeks to lead a life at peace with himself and the world

his own resources, and desires no joys greater than his inner joys.” Seneca’s statement shows the rejection of all base pleasures and desires to be the foundation for good stoic philosophy. Stoicism, a Hellenistic philosophical school started by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century B.C, flourished in Ancient Rome during the time of Cicero and Caesar. The Stoics stressed personal freedom, virtue, natural law, reason, and self control. Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Seneca claimed a

To compare humans you are simply comparing ideas. Thoughts, experiences and philosophies that all combine together to create individuals. Two experiences and two people who see the same scenario with different perspectives. Such is the way with Brutus and Cassius. This pair of Roman senators shows us the difficulty of having a realist and an idealist work together, yet the pair manages to overcome their different views on the world to work together and assassinate “the foremost man of all this world

Is Capital Punishment Ethical Punishment is defined as a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure or, in simple definition, the act of making one suffer. Parole, fines, incarceration, and probation are all forms of punishment. The idea of punishment is not limited to imprisonment but extends back to the Ancient times of banishment and back to the year 1792 when the first person was beheaded by the guillotine. Today the most notable and extreme form of punishment is capital punishment

Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher who lived from 50-130 AD, was instrumental in allowing the Stoic philosophy to grow and flourish. As ideas have come and gone throughout the years, this is a philosophy, a way of thinking, or even a lifestyle that has maintained its validity ever since its inception into the human mind, and continues to be a formative way of thinking to this day. Without knowing it, I have adopted several of the views that are explicitly written in Epictetus’ The Handbook. As I grew

Socrates lived his life instructing others on how best to live virtuously. In order to do this, he exhibited several unwaverable beliefs and actions that defined his life as a philosopher. Epictetus’s text The Enchiridion also attempts to instruct readers on how live a life of virtue. This branch of philosophy is labelled “stoicism.” Due to how well the actions expressed by Socrates and suggested by Epictetus seem to align, a modern day examination of both The Enchiridion and several of Plato’s texts