An Introduction To Stoic Ethics     

E te whanau tena koutou katoa.
Ethics is about what is morally good and bad or right and wrong. The stoics believed that everyone has the capacity for reason and they appealed to reason in debating ethical issues. We will be looking at some of the ethical ideas of three ancient stoic philosophers as follows
1.Chrisippus of Sol (280-206 BCE) was the third leader and sometimes called the “second founder of Stoicism” for his contributions to the developing philosophy. He clarified and debated stoic ideas.
Chrisippus was a runner before he took over the Athens school of philosophy. His name means “Golden Horse”. A quote of his: “Runners in a race ought to compete and strive to win as hard as they can but by no means should they trip their competitors or give them a shove. So to in life, it is not wrong to seek after the things useful in life; but to do so while depriving someone else is not just”
Chrisippus wrote a book called On Passions concerning the therapy of the emotions. He believed human nature is ethical in accordance with nature and reason and that one can achieve freedom from irrational desires or passions such as greed pride lust through applying reason and understanding the harm they cause.
2. Antipator of Tarsus (2nd century BC) Had some differences with Diogenes who he replaced as leader of the stoa. He taught concepts of moral duty in every day life e.g. the duty of honest disclosure, family values and rational decision making. He invited people over to dinner to have long discussions about philosophy as told in a book called “The Learned Banquetiers” by Athenaeus.
3 .Hierocles (2nd century CE). wrote a book called Elements of Ethics not much of which is preserved apart from an interesting description of individuals in a series of circles beginning with the human mind, then immediate family followed by extended family then local community then neighbouring towns followed by country then the entire human race. Our task according to Hierocles is to draw the circles in towards the centre making all humans part of our concern.
Some questions for our group discussions.

1. Why is it important to clarify and debate ethical issues according to reason?
2. How can stoism teach ethical behavior as it relates to emotional regulation or in stoic terms controlling passions or impulses that are excessive and contrary to reason? Give some examples.
3. How do you think Hierocles concentric circles relate to stoic ethics?
   In this event as usual we are all learners together. Whether you are new to stoism or familiar with it’s principles you are most welcome to come along.