Stoicism
Stoicism Hellenistic philosophy, was founded by Zeno of Citium (333-264 B.C.) in the early third century B.C. It sought to find a sense of divine justice and de-emphasized emotion and feelings, teaching that both pain and pleasure should be disregarded. Instead, cool-headed reason and logic should be used at all times and self-indulgence denied. They believed that virtue is to maintain a willpower that should be in accordance with nature. This philosophy holds that self-control and fortitude are means of overcoming destructive emotions.
Main Stoic philosophers were, besides Zeno: Epictetus (55 CE - 135 AD), Marcus Aurelius (121 CE - 180 AD) and Seneca (4 BCE - 65 AD)
- "Sick and yet happy, in peril and yet happy, dying and yet happy, in exile and happy, in disgrace and happy." Epictetus; In disgrace?, but what of it? a Stoic can still be virtuous.
Philosophy for a Stoic is an active process of constant practice, dialogs, meditation, reflection and training in abstinence, self-control and fortitude.
