Manuel L.

Quezon University
790 EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City

ASSIGNMENT IN PHILOSOPHY

(STOIC AND EPICUREAN

PHILOSOPHY)

Submitted by:
Bentulan, Norbert James Ike Zahir M.
15-00326

Submitted to:
Mr. Edmund C. Osias
Bentulan, Norbert James Ike Zahir M. Mr. Edmund C. Osias
PHLO III-1 (Introduction to Philosophy) 29August2019

STOIC AND EPICUREAN PHILOPOPHY

STOIC PHILOSOPHY

Stoicism is a classical Greek philosophy (developed by Zeno of

Citium around 300 B.C.as a honing of Cynicism) which lectures the growth
of self-control and fortitude as a means of defeating negative emotions.
It does not look to destroy emotions completely, but rather seeks to convert
them by a resolute Asceticism (a voluntary abstinence from worldly
pleasures), which enables a person to develop clear judgment, inner
peace and freedom from suffering (which it considers the ultimate goal).

Stoicism is not just a set of beliefs or ethical claims, but rather a way
of living, involving consistent practice and training, and incorporating the
practice of logic, Socratic dialogue and self-dialogues, contemplation of
death, and a kind of meditation aimed at training one's attention to remain in
the present moment.

The term "stoic" was taken from the "stoa poikile" (meaning
"painted porch" or "colonnade") where Zeno of Citium used to teach.
In modern usage, the word refers to someone who
is unemotional or indifferent to pain, pleasure, grief or joy, and has little in
common with its philosophical roots.

(Retrieved from: https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_stoicism.html)

EPICUREAN PHILOSOPHY

Epicureanism is a structure of philosophy based on the

enlightenment of Epicurus, established around 307 B.C. It lectures that
the greatest good is to seek self-effacing pleasures in order to attain a state
of peace, freedom from fear ("ataraxia") and nonexistence of bodily
pain ("aponia"). This union of states is held to comprise happiness in its
highest form, and so Epicureanism can be considered a form of Hedonism,
although it differs in its formation of happiness as the absence of pain, and in
its advocacy of a simple life.

Epicurus directed that this state of tranquility could be gathered

through knowledge and wisdom of the workings of the world and the limiting
of desires. Thus, pleasure was to be obtained by knowledge, friendship and
Bentulan, Norbert James Ike Zahir M. Mr. Edmund C. Osias
PHLO III-1 (Introduction to Philosophy) 29August2019

living a virtuous life. He extolled the enjoyment of "simple pleasures", by

which he meant abstaining from bodily desires, such as sex and appetites,
verging on Asceticism. He counseled that "a cheerful poverty is an honorable
state".

He argued for moderation in all things, so that when eating, for

example, one should not eat too richly, for it could lead to dissatisfaction
later, such as indigestion or the grim realization that one could not afford
such delicacies in the future. Likewise, sex could lead to increased lust and
dissatisfaction with the sexual partner, and Epicurus himself remained
celibate. Even learning, culture and civilization were discouraged, as they
could result in disturbing one’s peace of mind, except insofar as knowledge
could help rid oneself of religious fears and superstitions, such as the fear of
the gods and of death.

In modern popular utilization, an epicure is a specialty of the arts of

life and the refinements of sensual pleasures, especially of good food and
drink, attributable to a misunderstanding of the Epicurean doctrine, as
propagated by Christian polemicists.