Stoicism is defined as “a philosophy, based on the ideas of Zeno that held that people could only be happy when living in accordance with nature and accepting whatever happened.”(McKay et al. 138). Zeno of Citium traveled to Athens with the intent to form his own school, the Stoa, which took its namesake from the covered walkways where he preferred to teach. Stoicism instills the development of self-control and resilience to overcome “destructive emotions”, such as passion. Rather than eliminate all emotions, it teaches to change them by abstaining from worldly pleasures, which allows a person to have clear judgement, inner calm and freedom from suffering. Stoicism has similar beliefs to the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama and Buddhism, which is based on the Four Noble Truths.
…show more content…
Zeno and his followers considered this to be an expression of “divine will” and that people could only be happy if they lived in harmony with nature. They stressed this belief and stated that everyone was obligated to help each other. Stoicism remained a popular philosophy well after other such as Epicureanism died out due to its most lasting belief in the concept of natural law. The Stoics resolved that all people were alike, participated in one divine purpose and remained in harmony with the universe, with one natural law presiding over all.
Zeno and his followers considered this to be an expression of “divine will” and that people could only be happy if they lived in harmony with nature. They stressed this belief and stated that everyone was obligated to help each other. Stoicism remained a popular philosophy well after other such as Epicureanism died out due to its most lasting belief in the concept of natural law. The Stoics resolved that all people were alike, participated in one divine purpose and remained in harmony with the universe, with one natural law presiding over all.