How do we live ‘according to nature’ in the Stoic doctrine? Do you agree with this doctrine?
Stoicism is one of the branches of ancient philosophy originally founded by Zeno of Citium (300 BC). What is Stoicism? Stoic philosophy is not a series of philosophical claims about the nature of the world, of what we can know or what is right or wrong. Instead, Stoicism is commonly described to be an attitude, a way of life (Sellar, 2006). More importantly, the stoics have repeatedly stated in their philosophy: ‘to live according to nature’, where ‘nature’ relates to the Greek term ‘physis’. This does not describe an object or state, but rather, a process. One way to answer the question- how does one live ‘according to nature’, is to refer to the way in which things are intended by nature to i.e. change and grow (Daw, 2013).
In this essay, I will begin by explaining the main ideas Stoicism stands for, namely, of the importance stressed on God and fate. I will then explain what living ‘according to nature’ entails and the emphasis Stoics put on achieving eudaimonia, of leading virtuous lives. Hence, if one is to live according to nature, this is to bring oneself closer to leading a virtuous life. Conversely, I will outline some of the criticisms put forward against this Stoic doctrine, namely the account proposed by Friedrich Nietzsche. I will then challenge Stoicism further …show more content…
For instance, Epicureans regarded pleasure to be of fundamental importance and the ultimate goal for us to achieve. Pleasure is regarded as a freedom from pain (and is not to be understood as gaining any satisfaction of positive kind): “pleasure is the goal that nature has ordained for us; it is also the standard by which we judge everything good” (Epicurus). Epicureans prized the following belief of ataraxia, described as a freedom from disturbance, ‘a state of serene
Stoicism is one of the branches of ancient philosophy originally founded by Zeno of Citium (300 BC). What is Stoicism? Stoic philosophy is not a series of philosophical claims about the nature of the world, of what we can know or what is right or wrong. Instead, Stoicism is commonly described to be an attitude, a way of life (Sellar, 2006). More importantly, the stoics have repeatedly stated in their philosophy: ‘to live according to nature’, where ‘nature’ relates to the Greek term ‘physis’. This does not describe an object or state, but rather, a process. One way to answer the question- how does one live ‘according to nature’, is to refer to the way in which things are intended by nature to i.e. change and grow (Daw, 2013).
In this essay, I will begin by explaining the main ideas Stoicism stands for, namely, of the importance stressed on God and fate. I will then explain what living ‘according to nature’ entails and the emphasis Stoics put on achieving eudaimonia, of leading virtuous lives. Hence, if one is to live according to nature, this is to bring oneself closer to leading a virtuous life. Conversely, I will outline some of the criticisms put forward against this Stoic doctrine, namely the account proposed by Friedrich Nietzsche. I will then challenge Stoicism further …show more content…
For instance, Epicureans regarded pleasure to be of fundamental importance and the ultimate goal for us to achieve. Pleasure is regarded as a freedom from pain (and is not to be understood as gaining any satisfaction of positive kind): “pleasure is the goal that nature has ordained for us; it is also the standard by which we judge everything good” (Epicurus). Epicureans prized the following belief of ataraxia, described as a freedom from disturbance, ‘a state of serene