Stoicism

Roman Stoicism also called Late Stoicism is an ideology of Greco-Roman Stoic philosophers from the period of Roman Empire. It is very often associated with Roman Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

[[File:AthSto.png]]Early Stoicism[[File:Athdem.png]]
The founder of stoicism, Zeno of Citum, develped his theory while living in. Zeno and the other early Stoics who came after him like Epictetus and Chrysippus of Soli developed the basic framework of Stoicism, such as the universal friendship of all who are virtues, the division of philosophy into physics, ethics, and metaphysics, and the stoical conception of the Logos.

[[File:Res Publica.png]]Stoicism in Rome[[File:Caesar.png]]
Stocism, with it's emphases on courage in the face of strife, appealed to those living in the turbulent world of Ancient. It quickly became one of the most popular philosophies amoungst the elite, with Stoic concepts like appeal to natural law becoming an ordinary part of civic life.

[[File:ModSto.png]]Modern Stoicism[[File:Analytic.png]]
The ideas of Stocism have seen a revival in recent years, mostly as a method of self help, divorced from much of the original framework. However, in modern analytic philosophy, there are some who have taken interest in a somewhat more holistic view of Stoicism.

4 Stoic Virtues
Stoics believed that there exist 4 great virtues individuals should practice to become a better person
 * 1) Wisdom - Understood as ability to perceive and define good and evil, the differences between them and gain understanding of the universal laws of the universe
 * 2) Temperance - Understood as ability to live avoiding excess and deficiencies, finding the "golden middle" between extremes and acting reasonably.
 * 3) Justice - Understood as ability to act in accordance with the natural, universal morality. Giving everyone what is their due, always acting in good faith and working for the good of society as a whole
 * 4) Courage - Understood as the ability of innovative thinking and bravery to voice unorthodox ideas.

World and Pneuma
Stoics believed that everything in the world is material. Even spirits were build from matter, that was just made of "lighter elements". Stoics also believed that all changes in the world are caused by a flowing substance called Pneuma that drives all movement.

Logos
Logos was the active reason pervading and animating the Universe. It was conceived as material and is usually identified with God or Nature. The Stoics also referred to the seminal logos, or the law of generation in the Universe, which was the principle of the active reason working in inanimate matter. Humans, too, each possess a portion of the divine logos thanks to which we have the ability to reason.

Determinism and Fate
Stoics believed that majority of world events and our fate is already determined and impossible to change. This is why a person should focus on trying to change only what they can influence - that is their own thoughts and style of living. In that case stoics advocated for living in accordance with the 4 virtues and staying away from desires of wealth and power. What is important to note Stoicism does not advocate for being passive in politics. While people should not commit themselves to desires of power they still should diligently perform their duties in public life.

[[File:Athdem.png]] Virtuous Government [[File:Caesar.png]]
According to Stoics it was possible for any type of government to be a just and good government as long as it followed the 4 stoic virtues (especially the virtue of Justice). Marcus Aurelius defined 2 types of good governments - Democracy where power belongs to the people and Monarchy where one individual serves their people, ruling over them in accordance with people's will.

[[File:Cosmo.png]] Doubled Citizenship [[File:Civnat.png]]
Emperor Marcus Aurelius Believed every human being has two citizenships and two sets of responsibilities that come with them. First is the citizenship of your homeland and responsibilities you have to your countryman and the second citizenship is to the Cosmopolis - The community of the world, that comes with responsibilities to the world and humankind as a whole.

Personality
Roman Stoicism is generally a very peaceful ball, preferring debates over violent fights. He loves philosophy and often finds himself contemplating the nature of the universe and morality. He tries to live by his 4 virtues believing them to be what shall lead him to becoming a better person. Much like Noocracy he despises Roman emperor Commodus.

How to Draw

 * 1) Draw a Dark Red (#89000d) ball
 * 2) Draw a Golden (#fdd105) symbol of a flame on it
 * 3) Encircle the Flame with a Golden Circle and add 4 smaller circles on the larger circle dividing it into 4 equal parts
 * 4) Add Eyes
 * 5) (Optional) Add a Laurel Crown on top of the Ball
 * 6) Done

Friends

 * [[File:Athdem.png]] - The First Stoics lived in Athens
 * [[File:Res_Publica.png]] - How sad that our republic fell
 * [[File:Caesar.png]] Caesarism - AVE Caesar Marcvs Aurelivs Antoninvs!
 * [[File:Aristotle.png]] Aristotelianism - Probably the school of thought that most influenced Stoicism.
 * [[File:Virtue ethics icon.png]] Virtue Ethics - Truly there is nothing greater then virtue.
 * [[File:MoralUni.png]] Moral Universalism - And anyone can be virtues!

Frenemies

 * [[File:Mach.png]] Machiavellianism - He said Marcus Aurelius was a good emperor, but why do you care not for virtue?

Enemies

 * [[File:Nihil.png]] Nihilism- While not yet hedonistic he opens the path for tyranny & labels virtue as meaningless.
 * [[File:Hedonism.png]] Hedonism - One of the reasons bad emperors arise he would torture the world for his enjoyment.

Literature

 * Meditations of Marcus Aurelius