Культура України (Feb 2020)
«Be Like a Rock» Message in the Roman Stoics’ Ethical Paradigm
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to study the Roman Stoics’ ideas on the basic principles of the philosophy of human life in the context of their ethical paradigm. Research methodology. In this study the author uses such methodological approaches as historical, socio-cultural and system ones to analyze the Roman Stoics’ philosophical and ethical views, in particular, the views of Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus. Using the methods of terminological and conceptual analysis within the scope of the system approach was of great importance, which made it possible to form a conceptual framework for studying the Stoics’ ethical paradigm. The author also uses the materials of literary and artistic works. Results. The Stoics’ philosophical teaching is multidimensional and polyphonic; it contains vital ideas that were communicated in a traditional way from one philosophical school to another. The Stoics’ ethics, as compared to physics and logic, proved to be the most popular in the history of spiritual culture. Philosophers believe that the ideal for the normal life of a person is to live in harmony with nature, because nature is eternal, stable and self-sufficient, despite all the changes that take place in it. The Stoics’ philosophy guides the people to achieve sustainability in their life’s trials, patience and endurance in extreme situations, courage in dealing with external and internal troubles and difficulties. The state of equanimity [calmness] is the ideal of life, it is concretized in such concepts as “apathy”, “autarky”, “ataraxia”, used by the Stoics in the development of the strategy of human life. Calmness and greatness of spirit are the basic human qualities that, according to Marcus Aurelius, must be inherent in the individual. Seneca’s and Marcus Aurelius’s ethical paradigm: “Be like a rock” is a metaphor used to characterize such human qualities as calmness, firm character, commitment to the principles in extreme life situations. In spite of adverse circumstances, a person, as a natural and social being endowed with reason, should not lose his common sense and dignity. Therefore, Seneca, as compared to the Ancient Greek Stoics, emphasizes the utmost importance of freedom in the attitude of man to the factors that influence the state of the human spirit. Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius consider that equanimity [calmness] as a form of sage positioning is relevant only in relation to external factors. Concerning internal (spiritual) factors (reason, soul and sense), actions and efforts are needed to improve them. Novelty. It is proved that the metaphor of the rock is the quintessence of the Roman Stoics’ ethical paradigm; the basic principles of their philosophy of life are coded in it. They are as follows: equanimity, spiritual calm, the balance of mind, courage and stamina, readiness for the unexpected and unpredictable situations, self-sufficiency and harmony. The practical significance. Information contained in this paper is of theoretical importance for further studies of the philosophy of Stoics, their ethical paradigm. It can be used in the practice of teaching philosophical disciplines, history of the world philosophical thought and while developing textbooks for students.
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