Explain the method that Epicureans use to achieve ataraxia
explain how this system leads to acting ethically, that is, treating other people well
Explain the method that Stoics use to achieve the goal
explain how this system leads to acting ethically, that is, treating other people well
Compare Stoic virtue with Christian virtue
Analyze what Kant would think about the Epicurean and Stoic systems of ethics.
Analyze Aristotle’s virtue ethics in relation to Kant’s categories of duties.
Overview
Stoicism’s ultimate goal is to grow the mind to the point where the practitioner reaches a state of being known as eudaimonia.
Eudaimonia is a Greek concept that loosely translates as a state of thriving, prosperity, or happiness; a state in which the Stoic is free of the chains of unnecessary suffering as much as possible. A state in which Stoics rely solely on their internal frame of mind for happiness, rather than on the uncontrollable world.
The Stoics had a term for someone who has attained eudaimonia; they called such a person a sage. The Stoic sage was someone who had become resistant to the hardship produced by external circumstances via virtue and reason. Their well-being is fully dependent on what they can control, namely their actions, beliefs, values, and perceptions. Not wealth, prestige, respect, consistent comfort, and so on.
The Stoic sage’s beliefs are an ideal; philosophers are unlikely to achieve this level of self-mastery for more than a few hours at a time, but it serves as an important target to aspire for to guide our practice.
The Stoic objective of eudaimonia necessitates a knowledge of virtue. The Stoics believed that there are four Stoic virtues that can lead to a happy existence.
When one behaves in accordance with these virtues and does everything possible to maintain them in all aspects of life, the consequence is a happy existence, a tranquil mind, and a peaceful soul.
The four Stoic qualities are as follows:
Wisdom
Temperance
Justice
Courage
With these four qualities constituting a life framework, we gain the ability to act, think, judge, and think in more productive ways for ourselves and the larger society around us.
