Loading...Here I continue trying to explain the ancient philosophy of Stoicism, and to show how it related to their views of ethics – especially with respect to questions of altruism.
It is a little difficult for many moderns to get their minds around the Stoic idea that “reason” is a divine quality that infuses the world; it is possibly even harder to understand how this divine quality relates to the gods. Do they “have” it in greater quantity than us? Is Reason itself actually a distinct divine being of some kind?
The problem is exacerbated by the Stoic writings themselves, since often an author, say Epictetus, will speak of “Reason” and sometimes of “Zeus” (the head of the gods) and sometimes of the “gods” — and in each instance appear to be referring to the same thing. The “Reason/Logos” that infuses the world can be thought of as the sensibility of the world; it can be “the reason” something is or happens as it does; it can be “human reason”; and it can be personalized as “Zeus” or the “gods.”
Some of the weirdness of this idea can be slightly mitigated for those familiar with the later Christian understandings of Christ as found in the Gospel of John. The term “Logos,” in addition to meaning something like “reason” or “sense” can also mean “word.” It is by speaking a “word” that you express what you are thinking. Your “logos” conveys the sense you are trying to make to others. And they use their reason, their logos, to understand your logos.
With that in mind, consider the famous lines that begin the fourth Gospel:
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Pretty tough to live like Epictetus without divine help or unshakable convictions neither of which appear likely!
I heard of an ancient philosopher whose wife screamed at him that he was a good for nothing. He fled out of the house and when he went past a window she threw a bucketful of water over his head. He philosophically remarked “after the thunder comes the rain”. Sounds like he was a stoic.
“You do your job, and I’ll do mine. Yours is to put me to death and mine to die fearlessly. Yours is to send me into exile and mine to leave without grieving.” (Discourses 1.2.19)”.
From a moral point of view that seems rather irresponsable. Hitler, Mao Stalin they were all doing their Job.
True! But Stoics also thought that “my job” may well be to resist you in what you choose to do.
“What, me worry?” Alfred E. Neuman
It appears as if many of what came to be seen as fundamental Christian concepts were unthinkable without Greek philosophy. This contrasts mightily with the fundamentalist thinking I imbibed when young that saw Greek philosophy as a later corrupting influence of a purer Judeo-Christianity. If it hasn’t been done already it sounds like there’s a book that needs writing!
What I got from Stoicism is how to deal with nature (life) practically. As you pointed out – control what you can and don’t worry about what you can’t. For someone who worries about everything, Seneca’s statement “we suffer more often in imagination than in reality” (Seneca to Lucilius, letter 13) is particularly poignant.
This is very close to what I think is the underlying thinking in Taoism as illustrated in paintings of “The Vinegar Tasters”. I refer to it as “that’s just the way it is” or, as we so often hear, “it is what it is”.
With all the threats to human civilization and with what I feel is human stupidity, I should accept it and concern myself with what is under my control. I don’t believe we are on a trajectory to beat Stephen Hawking’s 100 year deadline. I hope I am wrong.
With the Stoics I’ll try to not worry about it so much. And with the Epicureans I think I’ll go with your suggestion of Angel’s Envy Bourbon. I tried it several months ago (it was excellent), but this time I’ll try the Rye. I think it’s at Costco.
Yes, it’s a nice Rye as well. I’m not a Rye guy, but on occasion….
A while ago I read about the alternate meaning of logos as reason. Substituting the word reason in the translation of the beginning of John makes a big difference to me. I have been searching for years for what I call a ‘reasonable’ religion. One that doesn’t insist I do mental gymnastics and twist reality until it is no longer recognizable. You have helped me a lot in this. Thank you. A little more reason in the world would be a good thing.
A while ago I read about the alternate meaning of logos as reason. Substituting the word reason in the translation of the beginning of John makes a big difference to me. I have been searching for years for what I call a ‘reasonable’ religion. One that doesn’t insist I do mental gymnastics and twist reality until it is no longer recognizable. You have helped me a lot in this. Thank you. A little more reason in the world would be a good thing.
Helividius Priscus at the end of the post made my day.
I decided: I’m going to face my boss this morning, earn my suspension without moaning nor doubting
See you later guys, my stoicism is waiting for me