StoicismOne of the most popular of the Hellenistic schools of philosophy in antiquity, Stoicism flourished for some five hundred years and has remained a constant presence throughout the history of Western philosophy. Its doctrines appealed to people from all strata of ancient society-from the slave Epictetus to the emperor Marcus Aurelius. This book provides a lucid, comprehensive introduction to this great philosophical school. It gives an overview of the history of the school, covers its philosophy as a system, and explores the three main branches of Stoic theory. John Sellars includes historical information on the life and works of the ancient Stoic philosophers and summaries, analyses, and appraisals of their principal doctrines in logic, physics, and ethics. He also includes a fascinating account of the Stoic legacy from later antiquity to the present. The volume includes a glossary and chronology, which, together with its accessible yet authoritative approach, makes it the ideal choice for students, scholars, and general readers interested in what Stoicism has meant, both philosophically and historically, for western civilization. |
Contents
The Stoic system | 31 |
Stoic logic | 55 |
Stoic physics | 81 |
Stoic ethics | 107 |
The Stoic legacy | 135 |
Glossary of names | 159 |
References | 187 |
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Common terms and phrases
according actions adequate ancient appropriate argue argument assent attention authors become body Cambridge University Press causes cent century Christian Chrysippus Cicero claim commentary completely conceived conception concern consider cosmos Cynic Diogenes discourse discussion doctrines early Stoics emotions entity Epictetus ethics example exist external fact famous fate further give happiness head human ideas important impression indifferents influence instance interest judgement knowledge later living logic Long Marcus Aurelius material matter meaning merely mind Moral Musonius Nature Note objects offer one's Oxford particular perhaps period physics Plato pneuma position possible practical preferred present principles question rational reason rejected remain reported Roman sage seen Seneca sense Socrates soul sources Stoa Stoic ethics Stoic philosophy Stoicism Studies suggests texts theory things thought tion tradition translated virtue whole Zeno