Stoicism was one of the major philosophical systems in the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greece. Zeno of Citium in the Agora of Athens created the philosophy around 300 BC. Stoicism strives to make individuals happier, more resilient, wiser, and more virtuous.
Stoic philosophy has three parts: physics, logic, and ethics. Each of these aspects contains many further topics today that are studied separately. For instance, logic includes formal logic, and related questions now often come under the fields of philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and epistemology. Additionally, the Stoics believed these three parts of philosophy should work together as an interconnected, coherent system.
In the Stoic school of Hellenistic philosophy, a well-lived life, or eudaimonia, involves practicing the four virtues of courage, wisdom, moderation or temperance, and justice in everyday life. In addition to living in accordance with nature, practicing these virtues forms the core of this philosophy.
The word stoicism came from “stoa poikile” (meaning the porch) in the Agora of Athens, which featured murals as decorations. The Agora was an open space used as a meeting ground for different activities in ancient Greek cities.
The first generation of Stoic philosophers congregated and lectured in that agora. Kings, presidents, philosophers, artists, and writers have practiced Stoicism, including Marcus Aurelius, Frederick the Great, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
Zeno of Citium voraciously read Socratic dialogues and was a student of Crates, a Greek philosopher. The teachings of Plato’s Academy and the philosophy of the Megarian School significantly influenced Zeno.
