Stoicism in the Ancient West

At our next Western Civilization meeting, we’ll discuss Stoicism, one of the most influential philosophical traditions of the ancient world. Founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens around 300 BC, the school was developed by Cleanthes and Chrysippus, modified by later Greek thinkers, and given its best-known Roman expression by Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. We’ll consider the Stoic understanding of nature, fate, human freedom, virtue, emotion, duty, and our obligations toward others, while also looking at how Stoicism changed over the course of its long history. Please join us if you can.