# Stoicism

- Id: `stoicism`
- Canonical url: `https://prokopton42.com/en/intellectual-traditions/stoicism/`
- Language: `en`
- Editorial status: `reviewed`
- Content checksum: `e3ea43eaaba497d878c9a1943c6aa81eec709ec125047e841d20ded17963056c`

## Summary

A philosophy of right action that separates our judgement from events we do not command.

## Overview

Stoicism begins in Athens around Zeno of Citium in the early third century BCE. It is more than a method for staying calm. Its logic asks us to examine an impression before assenting to it; its physics describes an ordered world; its ethics asks what to do when circumstances resist us.

For the Stoics, happiness (eudaimonia) rests on a virtuous life: judging well and acting with courage, justice, and moderation. Health, money, and reputation matter in ordinary choices, but cannot by themselves make a life good. Misfortune grants no license to act unjustly. For Epictetus, distinguishing our judgement from what lies beyond it is a daily exercise, not a promise to control the world.

Stoic nature is more than a backdrop. Early Stoics describe it as pervaded by divine reason, the logos; they also speak of Zeus and providence. This god is immanent in the cosmos. It is not identical to the personal, transcendent God of classical Jewish, Christian, and Muslim theology, even though these traditions also speak of providence. Epicurus rejects providential control of events and makes undisturbed pleasure, rather than virtue alone, the end of a happy life.

The surviving texts do not speak with one voice. Seneca writes close to power, Epictetus teaches through exercise, Marcus Aurelius addresses himself, and fragments of the early teachers require caution. Their possible disagreements deserve more than a motivational quotation stripped of context.

## Statistics

```json
{
    "thinkers": 12,
    "works": 46,
    "passages": 7199,
    "concepts": 190
}
```

## Thinkers

```json
[
    {
        "id": "seneca",
        "name": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/seneca/"
    },
    {
        "id": "marcus_aurelius",
        "name": "Marcus Aurelius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/marcus-aurelius/"
    },
    {
        "id": "epictetus",
        "name": "Epictetus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/epictetus/"
    },
    {
        "id": "musonius_rufus",
        "name": "Musonius Rufus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/musonius-rufus/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter",
        "name": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/elizabeth-carter/"
    },
    {
        "id": "chrysippus",
        "name": "Chrysippus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/chrysippus/"
    },
    {
        "id": "zeno",
        "name": "Zeno of Citium",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/zeno/"
    },
    {
        "id": "cleanthes",
        "name": "Cleanthes",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/cleanthes/"
    },
    {
        "id": "holiday",
        "name": "Ryan Holiday",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/holiday/"
    },
    {
        "id": "panaetius",
        "name": "Panaetius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/panaetius/"
    },
    {
        "id": "posidonius",
        "name": "Posidonius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/posidonius/"
    },
    {
        "id": "aristo",
        "name": "Aristo of Chios",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/thinkers/aristo/"
    }
]
```

## Works

```json
[
    {
        "id": "aristo.testimonia_fragments",
        "title": "Testimonies and Fragments of Aristo of Chios",
        "author": "Aristo of Chios",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/aristo/testimonia-fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "chrysippus.svf_2",
        "title": "SVF II: Chrysippus on Logic and Physics",
        "author": "Chrysippus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/chrysippus/svf-2/"
    },
    {
        "id": "chrysippus.svf_3",
        "title": "SVF III: Chrysippus on Ethics",
        "author": "Chrysippus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/chrysippus/svf-3/"
    },
    {
        "id": "cleanthes.hymn_to_zeus",
        "title": "Hymn to Zeus",
        "author": "Cleanthes",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/cleanthes/hymn-to-zeus/"
    },
    {
        "id": "cleanthes.svf_1",
        "title": "SVF I: Cleanthes",
        "author": "Cleanthes",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/cleanthes/svf-1/"
    },
    {
        "id": "cleanthes.pearson_fragments",
        "title": "Pearson: Cleanthes fragments",
        "author": "Cleanthes",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/cleanthes/pearson-fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.answers_to_objections",
        "title": "Answers to Objections Concerning the Christian Religion, by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/answers-to-objections/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.epictetus_introduction",
        "title": "Introduction to the Works of Epictetus, by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/epictetus-introduction/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.talbot_letters",
        "title": "Letters from Elizabeth Carter to Catherine Talbot",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/talbot-letters/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.montagu_letters",
        "title": "Letters from Elizabeth Carter to Elizabeth Montagu",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/montagu-letters/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.vesey_letters",
        "title": "Letters from Elizabeth Carter to Elizabeth Vesey",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/vesey-letters/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.miscellaneous_prose",
        "title": "Miscellaneous Prose by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/miscellaneous-prose/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.bible_notes",
        "title": "Elizabeth Carter’s Notes on the Bible",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/bible-notes/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.poems",
        "title": "Poems on Several Occasions, by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Elizabeth Carter",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/elizabeth-carter/poems/"
    },
    {
        "id": "epictetus.discourses",
        "title": "Discourses of Epictetus, Recorded by Arrian",
        "author": "Epictetus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/epictetus/discourses/"
    },
    {
        "id": "epictetus.doubtful_fragments",
        "title": "Doubtful and Spurious Fragments Attributed to Epictetus",
        "author": "Epictetus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/epictetus/doubtful-fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "epictetus.enchiridion",
        "title": "Enchiridion of Epictetus",
        "author": "Epictetus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/epictetus/enchiridion/"
    },
    {
        "id": "epictetus.fragments",
        "title": "Fragments Attributed to Epictetus",
        "author": "Epictetus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/epictetus/fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "marcus_aurelius.meditations",
        "title": "Meditations",
        "author": "Marcus Aurelius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/marcus-aurelius/meditations/"
    },
    {
        "id": "musonius_rufus.ancient_testimonia",
        "title": "Ancient Biographical Testimonia on Musonius Rufus",
        "author": "Musonius Rufus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/musonius-rufus/ancient-testimonia/"
    },
    {
        "id": "musonius_rufus.discourses",
        "title": "Discourses of Musonius Rufus Reported by Lucius",
        "author": "Musonius Rufus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/musonius-rufus/discourses/"
    },
    {
        "id": "musonius_rufus.minor_fragments",
        "title": "Minor Fragments and Sayings Attributed to Musonius Rufus",
        "author": "Musonius Rufus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/musonius-rufus/minor-fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "musonius_rufus.spurious_letters",
        "title": "Spurious Letters Attributed to Musonius Rufus",
        "author": "Musonius Rufus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/musonius-rufus/spurious-letters/"
    },
    {
        "id": "panaetius.fowler_fragments",
        "title": "Panaetius Fragments in Fowler’s Edition",
        "author": "Panaetius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/panaetius/fowler-fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "posidonius.customs_wars",
        "title": "Fragments on Customs and Wars",
        "author": "Posidonius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/posidonius/customs-wars/"
    },
    {
        "id": "posidonius.testimonia",
        "title": "Testimonies on Posidonius",
        "author": "Posidonius",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/posidonius/testimonia/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.consolatio_ad_helviam",
        "title": "Consolation to Helvia, His Mother",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/consolatio-ad-helviam/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.consolatio_ad_marciam",
        "title": "Consolation to Marcia",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/consolatio-ad-marciam/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.consolatio_ad_polybium",
        "title": "Consolation to Polybius",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/consolatio-ad-polybium/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_beneficiis",
        "title": "On Benefits",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-beneficiis/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_brevitate_vitae",
        "title": "On the Shortness of Life",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-brevitate-vitae/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_clementia",
        "title": "On Clemency",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-clementia/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_constantia_sapientis",
        "title": "On the Firmness of the Wise Person",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-constantia-sapientis/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_ira",
        "title": "On Anger",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-ira/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_otio",
        "title": "On Leisure",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-otio/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_providentia",
        "title": "On Providence",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-providentia/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_tranquillitate_animi",
        "title": "On Tranquillity of Mind",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-tranquillitate-animi/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.de_vita_beata",
        "title": "On the Happy Life",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/de-vita-beata/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.epistulae_morales",
        "title": "Moral Letters to Lucilius",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/moral-letters-to-lucilius/"
    },
    {
        "id": "seneca.naturales_quaestiones",
        "title": "Natural Questions",
        "author": "Seneca",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/seneca/naturales-quaestiones/"
    },
    {
        "id": "zeno.svf_1",
        "title": "Stoicorum Veterum Fragmenta I: Zeno of Citium",
        "author": "Zeno of Citium",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/zeno/svf-1/"
    },
    {
        "id": "zeno.pearson_fragments",
        "title": "The Fragments of Zeno and Cleanthes: Zeno Section, Edited by A. C. Pearson",
        "author": "Zeno of Citium",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/zeno/pearson-fragments/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.edited_talbot",
        "title": "The Works of the Late Miss Catharine Talbot, an Editorial Volume Associated with Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Catharine Talbot",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/catharine-talbot/edited-talbot/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.epictetus_translation",
        "title": "The Works of Epictetus, Translated into English by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Epictetus",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/epictetus/epictetus-translation/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.translated_algarotti",
        "title": "Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Francesco Algarotti",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/francesco-algarotti/translated-algarotti/"
    },
    {
        "id": "elizabeth_carter.translated_crousaz",
        "title": "Jean-Pierre de Crousaz’s Examination of Mr. Pope’s Essay on Man, Translated by Elizabeth Carter",
        "author": "Jean-Pierre de Crousaz",
        "url": "https://prokopton42.com/en/works/jean-pierre-de-crousaz/translated-crousaz/"
    }
]
```