Introduction:

Stoicism was one of the new philosophical movements of Helenestic philosophy.

It was founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early 3rd century BCE. It is a
philosophy of life that maximizes positive emotions, reduces negative emotions and
helps individuals to hone their virtues of character.

Terminologies:
1. Stoicism - philosophy that hails from ancient Greece and Rome
2. Stoics - a member of the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism
3. Zenonism - the earlier name for Stoicism, named after the founder, Zeno of
Citium
4. Helenestic - relating to Greek history, culture, or art
5. Philosophy - the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and
existence
6. Ethics - moral principles that govern a person’s behavior
7. Virtue - behavior showing high moral standards
8. Eudaimonia - refers to a good state or condition; happiness
9. Apatheia - freedom from disturbing desires and emotions, or passions
10. Adiaphora - indifferent

Guide Questions:
1. What does it mean to be stoic?
2. What did Zeno and his followers have a strong belief on?
3. Can stoicism still be applied in today’s world?
4. What are the benefits of stoicism?
5. What virtues did the Stoics follow?
Discussion Proper:
Stoicism was originally known as Zenonism, after the founder Zeno of Citium. It
was a Hellenistic school of philosophy developed by the Greek philosopher, Zeno of
Citium, around 200 B.C. The name stoicism derives from the Greek word, “Stoa
Poikile”. Stoicism is sometimes referred to as “The Stoa”, or the philosophy of “The
Porch”.
The ancient school of Stoicism itself was founded by a man named Zeno of
Citium. It is a philosophy that Zeno and his followers of Stoics held a strong belief on,
such as personal ethics, virtue, and aligning oneself with nature. The Stoics believed
that the key in achieving eudaimonia (happiness) is by living an ethical life,
understanding yourself, and by accepting what the world is.
Under Stoicism, Stoics believed that wealth, status, power, and possession were
neither important and had no importance in living a good life, as to live a good life, one
had to understand the rules of the natural order.
Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of
overcoming destructive emotions. Stoicism’s primary aspect involves improving the
individual’s ethical and moral well-being.
Stoics had a belief of virtue that was used in teaching Stoic philosophy. These
virtues are: Wisdom, Courage, Justice, and Temperance. All of these meant that the
Stoics believed that the sign of a good person lies in how they act, rather than what they
say. The ability to see the world for what it is requires discipline and self control to
prevent temptation from clouding our judgment. The Stoics believed that people who
lack the ability to act with virtue are basically being blindly pulled along by whatever
desires they’re feeling that day. Jealousy, greed, anger, lust, and addiction guides their
actions, not choice.
The original term apatheia, precisely means to be indifferent. This group believe
that they can do things on their own and believe happiness can only be attained by
careful practice of apathy.
Short Quiz:
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The stoic believes that negative feelings (such as boredom, restlessness, sense
of futility) are caused by us—not by events in the world. TRUE
2. The stoic believes that self-observation is a fundamental mistake and leads to
self-doubt and confusion. FALSE
3. Active awareness for the stoic implies that one is accepting, open and
nonjudgmental about events in the world. TRUE
4. The stoic thinks that most people fail to break unwanted habits because the
same self who is trying to break the habit is the same self who is trapped by it.
TRUE
5. If someone breaks a promise and I am resentful, the stoic would say that the
anger results from a pretentious picture of myself which robs me of the very
happiness I seek. TRUE
6. The stoic believes that many people are unhappy because they identify
themselves with their feelings. TRUE
7. The stoic believes that some worldly activities can only be enjoyed by their
results (such as a love affair or a career). FALSE
8. The stoic believes that if you do not define yourself in terms of external
situations, then you do not fear change or loss. TRUE
9. According to the stoic position, you feel good because the world is right, not that
your world is right because you feel good. FALSE
10. The stoic believes that good and bad are qualities of intentions or mental
phenomena rather than qualities of events in the world. TRUE

List of References / Sources:

Stoicism - Wikipedia
Stoic Belief - The Philosophy Of Virtue And Ethics
What Is Stoicism? A Definition & 9 Stoic Exercises To Get You Started
Stoic Belief - The Philosophy Of Virtue And Ethics
Quiz: Stoicism