In Our Time Stoicism
11 snips
Mar 4, 2005 
Join Melvyn Bragg as he explores the profound philosophy of Stoicism with Angie Hobbs, Jonathan Rée, and David Sedley. Delve into the origins of Stoicism, its influence on Roman thinkers, and its impact on modern thought. Discover how Stoicism promotes inner resilience, acceptance of fate, and alignment with divine reason, with insights on famous Stoic figures like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Uncover the philosophical connections between Stoicism, Christianity, and Victorian England, and ponder the enduring legacy of this ancient philosophy.
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Stoic Principles
- Stoicism rests on logic, physics, and ethics, emphasizing a deterministic cosmos organized for the best.
- Human reason, a spark of divine reason, finds happiness by accepting this providential plan.
Historical Context of Stoicism
- Stoicism emerged during a time of political upheaval after Alexander the Great, leading to a focus on inner peace.
- It also fostered a sense of belonging to a larger unit as the barriers of the Greek world broke down.
Zeno and Crates
- Zeno, after a shipwreck, became a pupil of Crates the Cynic.
- Crates taught through humiliation, exemplified by the lentil soup incident, leading Zeno to develop Stoicism.