Good morning comrades, I hope you are off to a good start this week. Today we’re going to touch on the founder of this philosophy we all try to practice. Zeno of Citium was a Greek philosopher and the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. He lived in the 3rd century BCE and was born in Citium, a city in present-day Cyprus. Zeno was initially a merchant, but after a shipwreck he was forced to stay in Athens, where he was introduced to philosophy. He was particularly influenced by the Cynic philosopher Crates, and eventually founded his own school of philosophy, known as Stoicism.
As we know Stoicism was one of the dominant philosophical systems of the Hellenistic period, and Zeno's teachings had a profound impact on the development of Western philosophy. He taught that the goal of human life was to live in accordance with nature and reason, and that people should focus on what is within their control, such as their own thoughts, beliefs, and actions, rather than on external events and circumstances.
Zeno wrote several works, but none of them have survived to the present day. However, his teachings were recorded by his disciples and later by other philosophers, and these works provide valuable insights into his personal philosophy and its influence on Stoicism.
What can we learn from him?
The Logos: The concept of "logos" refers to a universal principle of reason that governs the world and all of its workings. Zeno believed that individuals could understand this principle through reason and that by doing so, they could come to understand the nature of reality and live in accordance with it. He saw logos as a tool for discovering truth and making sense of the world.
Virtue: For Zeno, the cultivation of virtue was the key to a happy and fulfilled life. He identified four cardinal virtues – wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation – that he believed were essential for living a virtuous life. Wisdom meant understanding the world and the workings of nature, courage meant facing challenges with determination and equanimity, justice meant treating others fairly, and moderation meant avoiding excess and finding balance in life.
Emotional control: He taught that individuals had the ability to control their emotions through reason, and that doing so was essential for living a virtuous life. He believed that individuals should strive to remain calm and unruffled, even in the face of adversity, and that they should not be overly attached to pleasure or overly disturbed by pain.
Self-sufficiency: Zeno believed that individuals should strive to be self-sufficient, relying on their own resources and abilities rather than external circumstances for their happiness and well-being. He believed that true happiness came from within, and that individuals should cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment that was not dependent on external events.
Acceptance of fate: It has been taught that individuals should accept the events of their lives and understand that everything that happens is a result of the natural and necessary operations of the universe. He believed that individuals should not resist or complain about things that are beyond their control, but instead should focus their efforts on cultivating virtue and living a virtuous life.
These five principles helped form the core of the Stoic philosophy that Zeno founded, and they continue to inspire people to this day to live a virtuous and fulfilling life.
Quote for the week ahead
A bad feeling is a commotion of the mind repugnant to reason, and against nature
As quoted in tusculanae quaestiones by Cicero, iv. 6.
Something to look out for
There are major plans in Athens to rejuvenate the site of Plato’s Academy. You can find out more below: