Stoicism is one of the four schools of philosophy in ancient Greece, is one of the longest ancient Greek philosophical schools popular. (Note: The other three famous ancient Greek School of Plato's Academy School, Aristotle and Epicurus Peripatetic school.) From the 3rd century BC Cyprus Zeno founded the school, counting Stoic Marxism has been popular to the 2nd century AD Roman period, stretching before and after 500 years. Generally, history Stoicism into early, middle and late three stages, in addition to representatives of the early Zeno, and Craig Andrews and Chrysippus; interim representatives are Penny Bentiu, wave Xi Tony, Cicero, etc.; late representative is Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. According to Stoic ideas, philosophy constitutes science, physics, logic and ethics of three parts. In this three-part division of philosophy, especially in ethics, the Stoics have talked about a national, legal and political issues. Craig Underwood of philosophy is divided into six parts, which in addition to dialectics, elocution, ethics and physics and theology, political science again distinguished as a separate part. In a further breakdown of the various parts of philosophy, logic as the original part of elocution, and was divided into three parts Stoic: Legislative elocution, elocution litigation and celebrations elocution. Thus, the Stoic philosophy and political science is a very important part, but for a long time, China's academic circles only stoic logic and ethics carried out some research, and almost completely ignored the Stoic study of political thought, but the greatest impact on future generations Stoicism is precisely the aspect of its politics rather than ethics. Therefore, this article is UN demands to change this situation for long been ignored in academia but should not be ignored as a political science stoicism to a preliminary study.
Translated by Google
Stoic thought
Stoicism originated in the Hellenistic era after the disintegration of the Greek city-state system, it was with skepticism, cynicism and Epicurean doctrine, are a reflection and response to the city-state of society, the difference yes, Stoicism in this reflection made some new concepts and ideas, from a political science terms, mainly in the following four points: Natural law thinking Recognized by the world, in the history of Western political thought has a huge impact on the natural law thinking is Stoicism first proposed. This natural law thinking cosmology guide from Stoicism, Stoicism holds that the universe is a unified whole, there is a universal law govern all things, the "natural law", and sometimes, they call it "Logos," "rational world", "God" or "destiny", this general rule, as the inevitability of nature and diffuse infiltrate all things in the universe, it is the order of the universe creator masters. People are part of the universe, the same should be subject to the law of this widespread, it is also the highest standards of human behavior, Zeno said:. "Natural law is sacred, who has the power of command and forbid wrong corrective action action" and therefore Natural law is not only a universal law to dominate nature, but also the disposable universal law of society, therefore, natural law begins to import natural areas of social and political fields. The main presentation and elucidation of natural law thinking from a political perspective is the Roman Stoic philosopher Cicero. Cicero firmly declared on human fixed, there is a natural law exists, it comes from nature, from the domination of the universe of rational God. About the nature and role of natural law, Cicero said: "The real legal but correct rule, it is consistent with the nature, applies to all people, is a stable, long-lasting, by way of the command call obligations, to prohibit a way to prevent crime ...... requires modification or cancellation of such laws is blasphemy, limiting the role of certain aspects of its occurrence is not allowed, it is impossible to completely abolished; us either in the Senate or to the People's resolutions The resolution can not get rid of such a law, ...... an eternal, unchanging laws will apply to all people, at all times applicable; will have a common, as commander of the teachers and all the people of God : It is the creator of this law, judge, advocate. " In Cicero seems to have this natural law of human society above all legislative authority, is the only measure of human titration, which itself is synonymous with justice. Stoicism is elaborated and emphasized that natural law as an expression of eternal justice and faith, as a rule of human injustice become a common belief that ancient critique of Western, and thus become an important political tradition throughout the West component. Independent individuals Western concept of individualism is a unique political culture, it is in the non-Western political culture does not exist, the idea of individualism in the West can be said to be as old, and the oldest, most distinctive and most systematic expression of individualism Stoic philosophers idea is that this concept of individualism is the city-state system after the collapse of the re-interpretation of the relationship between individuals and the state in the initiative. In ancient Greece, the relationship between the individual and the country has experienced two stages in the city-state era, individuals (mainly referring to individuals as citizens) and the State is almost as one solution, individuals (citizens) is an integral part of the national organism, and State (polis) is the center of civic life around, the rise and fall of the city-state and individual interests are closely linked, and therefore, the city-state era philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle and other individuals as part of the per capita as the city-state, In addition to the independent existence of individual countries - this concept is the era of the Greek city-states never had before. In the Greek city-states after the disintegration of the era, a close and harmonious relationship between the individual and the state also came to an end, the Greeks had to learn over the life of the individual, but also had to learn in the form of a new social Commonwealth living together, namely in the form of a huge empire, the empire on which are much larger than the size and the number of city-states, especially authoritarian politics, the general public will be excluded from all political life. Therefore, the relationship between the individual and the country is increasingly alienated, this situation as the British historian Tarn puts it: "As a political animal, as an autonomous part of the polis or city-state's people have a conclusion with Aristotle , and as a person who is a beginning with Alexander. " Because of the relationship between individuals and the state of alienation, personal increasingly returned from political life to personal life, growing concern personal spiritual world, which actually led to some personal and individualistic interpretation of germination. Stoicism has clearly expressed a concept of individualism, in Stoicism seems, that is self-sufficient individuals themselves, personal happiness is all about inner peace and accord with nature, without seeking leave outside, any foreign In the fame and things are not conducive to personal self-sufficiency and well-being. Thus, the ethics of Stoicism in a preliminary way to express the concept of individualism, that the individual is self-contained independent, perfect and feasible. Although it is not individualistic modern sense, but it is a kind of modern individualism and laid the foundation. Origin of cosmopolitanism In the West, the concept of cosmopolitanism also by the Stoics first proposed. Of course, it is first of all a reflection of the political reality. People in a small country after the city-state disintegration, people living in a larger empire, such a large empire, whether Roman or Macedonian racial barriers are removed, so that all races are living together in a political within the community, the promotion of mutual inter-ethnic communication and integration, making the original narrow notions of race gradually fade, a world ideologies quietly rising. On the other hand, theoretically, individualism logically inevitable corollary of some form of the concept of cosmopolitanism, because the independent existence of "personal is necessary to consider how to arrange his own life, but also consider the relationship with other individuals ( He is with these individuals constitute the world's people live in); in order to meet the needs of the former, it produced a variety of philosophical research behavior, and in order to meet the needs of the latter, then produced a brotherhood within about some new ideas . "" personal life and sense of isolation has its opposite side, this is the man realized that he was a man of a race, with roughly the same human nature everywhere. Stoicism is implied by its individualism out such a conclusion: the human body, each person is a member of the human family, the relationship between the individual and the whole human race is superior to the relationship between the individual, the state, therefore, to establish beyond a single race and national cosmopolitanism new. concepts. The concept of equality In one of the human concept of cosmopolitanism, Stoicism found that people are one and the same class of biological significance, in this sense, all people are the same, both have a common rational God, Common dominated by the same natural law. Therefore, all people, regardless of their origin, race, wealth and social status is different in nature have a rational given that they are the same, as a person, they are all equal. Cicero has pointed out that the definition in humans, it should be applicable to all people. More valuable is the prevalence of slavery, slaves are not regarded as human era Stoicism did not hesitate to apply the principle of equality of slaves. Seneca believes that the meaning of ethical terms, slavery is immoral, he had also asked the people to the way of pushing people, the spirit of the slaves as equal partners and friends to be treated. We can say that the first concept of equality in the history of Western thought is put forward by the Stoics, although it showed only a concept, did not become a aspirations to promote social change, but it is, after all, is a descendant of the pursuit of political equality theoretical premise.
Translated by Google
The importance of Stoicism
From the above we introduce the four main points of Stoic political thought, these ideas Stoicism in the ancient world is very new, very advanced, for future generations also have extensive and profound impact. If we say, from a purely philosophical point of view, Stoicism with Epicurean doctrine, cynicism, skepticism, as just one of the many schools of ancient philosophy, philosophy than Plato and Aristotle and other great masters to a lot less, then from a political science perspective, Stoicism would have absolute importance, its status and influence no less Plato and Aristotle and other masters. This importance is mainly manifested in the following three aspects. First, Stoicism is the real starting point for coherent Western political thought. While Western political science had emerged as early as the 5th century BC, the Greek city-states in the era of the great discoveries had appeared like Plato and Aristotle, the great figures like this, but with the failure of the political polis, In the city-state as the center of classical political science have been terminated. In the city-state where the failure to Stoicism, represented the birth of a new political science, political traditions of this new politics has been constructed continuously until today. As the American political scientist Sabine said: "In the history of political philosophy, Aristotle died in 322 BC, marked the end of an era, as his premature death than he was a year of great student life signs the beginning of the history of European civilization, political science, and a new era. failure polis is drawn in a very clear line of political ideology, and from this point onwards, its history has been continually extended to today. As Professor Carroll said, if the continuity of political philosophy where interrupted, it is that time of Aristotle's death. ...... regardless of later changes in political thinking how great, no matter what they are also continuous, from Sri Lanka there is more school of natural law theory Ge until the revolutionary doctrine of human rights is so. "Barker also believes that the traditional Western political civilization was first established by the Stoic up. This political tradition has never stopped to spread so far. It can be seen in the classical Aristotelian political science represented only a prelude to the Western political science, political science Stoicism is the real starting point. Second, many political views were Stoicism became the main elements of Western political civilization. Stoicism the independent, self-sufficient individual concept is undoubtedly a unique expression of early Western individualism, and individualism in modern times after the final played an important role in the establishment. And this individualistic emphasis on personal independence, the pursuit of individual autonomy, the defenders of individual freedom and personal oppression various external authority and power of criticism is to promote the spirit of the West towards the important resource of modern society, it has become the West integral part of the political culture of. Stoicism on human body, one world view is medieval secular circles directly teach the theory pioneer on the world, it evolved into the world's ideologies in modern times, this trend on the one hand and the national law of the modern theory of world government to produce had a significant impact on the other hand, in the actual transaction level, the International Union, United Nations and the establishment of many international organizations, cosmopolitanism is one of its theoretical basis. The Stoicism is the earliest advocates of world philosophers. Stoicism on regardless of masters and slaves, Greeks and aliens, noble and humble, rich and poor, everyone in the spirit and personality are equal idea is the first Western concept of equality, it concept of equality and equal view of modern Christianity have played an important role, is the forerunner of the modern concept of equality. Third, and most important is probably unique in the history of Western thought throughout endless but a deeper impact on the natural law tradition laid by the Stoics. Des Moines said: "If the natural law in the ancient world did not become a widespread belief, which is hard to tell the history of ideas, so that is the history of mankind, what will be the development of the DPRK which one." (Natural law thinking in the West The importance of the political tradition is well known. (Note: See my other article:. "Natural Law: always worth pursuing," "Huaihua Teachers College" 1999 3) American scholar Lippmann said: West "As a public philosophy of natural law and famous. term natural law even if it is caused by a number of semantic confusion term, I think that this philosophy is the system of Western society to be a prerequisite for the operation." This doctrine advocated rulers Unlike on the people have sovereignty over society composed by a mortal, as well as law and justice Lippmann went on to say: "Two thousand years of European thought has been affected by such a notion, that person's rational functions, can have universal validity of law and order, a common concept. as theory, the idea is first proposed Zeno and the Stoics, and absorbed by the Roman jurists who adopted the Christian Fathers , Thomas Aquinas was reworked, re-established in the Renaissance and the Reformation, it forms a new revolution in the United Kingdom in 1688 and 1776 according to the American Revolution offers a philosophy of. enduring vitality of this concept and Its revival in each era has repeatedly indicated that: it is generally a reflection of indelible human requirements and policies related to the formulation of the actual processing of each historical period recurring political problems "(main effect of natural law is that it resorted to. "natural" authority, recourse to human reason, and so to re-determine the rights enjoyed by human beings, so that people can put aside the history and tradition, tied the existing order, to find a new basis and the ultimate justification for justice and human rights It is mainly critical, it is to establish the basis of the above people titration of higher authority, the existing legal order and the judge put forward suggestions for improvement, so that law and order is more in line with the law and justice. by the Stoic School open thinking their side of natural law in the West formed a deep-rooted tradition, it can be said is a household name, so Adams said that in European countries, "a lawyer both in his legal case is still in his pocket, and have never not one of the brochure on natural law, public law, or moral philosophy. "Covent American scholars also believe that one of the most famous in the history of Western political literature" of the U.S. Constitution, "to express the ideals and ideas is to defend natural law. This paper describes the content of the above and the status of political science Stoics made a little early, as said before, due to the meaning and purpose of this paper is to highlight the impact of Stoic political philosophy, to supplement the study of domestic , but also because of space limitations, this article failed to Stoic political science research more in-depth analysis and evaluation, but does not touch its limitations. On these issues will be discussed in another paper. =================================== Life Classic Stoic movement, born in Cyprus by the philosopher Zeno (333 BC - 261 years) created. It is estimated, because he is very ugly - the body dry, curved neck, buttocks fat, face green - so he believes that appearance is not important, the key is to find the inherent nature of nature. His first teaching job was in Athens conducted a cylindrical Hall (Stoa poikile), so he and his disciples also immediately took the name of his school: Stoic (cylindrical large Hall faction). Zeno after age 72 slipped on the stairs of the hall were killed, leading to the school's past professional boxer Craig Aetna (Kleanthes 331 BC - In 232) hands. His last long-distance runners with Kerry western Bosnia (Chrysippos BC 281 - 208) were legendary debate. Stoic's debate became a treasure trove of wisdom. Craig Aetna almost live a hundred years, and later died on hunger strike. His debate opponent, once saw a donkey drink a barrel of wine, jumped wildly chaotic in the yard, laughing to death. Zeno, Craig Aetna and Chrysippus, are the backbone of the Stoics. Friend Wei Tao, moral saints and misanthrope, are the main Stoic tradition. Their real impact on history, or minimal, or destroy grave. For example, the Roman Stoic Seneca molecules (Seneca) have not been able to stop the madness of his students Nero. Emperor Marcus Aurelio ust to Stoic calm into the deaths of thousands of Christians. Even the Inquisition and the Prussian militarism and beautify their sense of responsibility should also be attributed to the Stoic doctrine. Enemy Stoic calm and humble admission, it is reasonable and no enemies should not pay attention to my son. But quite stoic molecular vanity, always deliberately showing their lifestyle. They often display to the people around, the lives of others is how sick. Hold different ideas of philosophers like Epicurus, the Stoics would have been cursing as debauchery, they even hesitate to use means of slander and threats. Woman Stoic and women not deal because they will cause interference Stoic soul. Zeno is said to have been in his life with one or two prostitutes had sex, so as not to be seen as a sexual perversion others ruthless woman who avenged. One night, a beautiful woman playing the flute into his room, he immediately expelled. But probably not for moral reasons, but they were afraid to do this pay. Since Zeno is a well-known miser. Ideology Stoics believed that it is important in any case must remain calm, so it appears the concept of "Stoic calm," the. Because it is the antithesis - Passion - "a departure from the spirit of reason and unnatural impulse." The only question is: If our feelings are too bold, why is it unnatural? If we examine the concept of Stoic natural party, will be able to find the answer. Because the cylindrical lobby these people are found naturally, they know where to go is a natural intelligence. In which the act is not arbitrary, but a noble goal of giving all to the sacred principles. Zeno called "spermatikos logos." Therefore our obligation is to make this concept can be realized. The concept of man as a tool to achieve God's divine intent, began to show out here, a few hundred years later, in the Bible to confirm and spread. Features Stoic doctrine Zeno and his fellow did, but the concept is the natural twist 180 degrees. With a rational gods, the randomness of the break, is becoming a orderly work, therefore, every one wants to act in accord with nature, there must be sensible, have self-control and free from outside interference. What brought us today? There is no doubt: whether Hitler, Stalin or those brutal Inquisition, the priests, if they do their evil cylindrical hall in Athens, will certainly cause an uproar because they are too stupid. But on the other hand, it is precisely the Stoic doctrine paved the soil for the growth of these evils. Because the major atrocities really happened in history, all from the "stoic" type of crowd is. They see themselves as higher people: cold, no passion, "personality" will not care. Just have not succeeded in eliminating this "Stoic" type of cold, we have to face again with Hitler-like figure appears. However, the core idea of the theory Stoic doctrine by those who apparently racist, authoritarian hegemony were misinterpreted and used demagogic conspiracy went. Like Nietzsche's "superman" theory also been misinterpreted same. So, those so-called "Stoic" type characters, mostly of people with ulterior motives, but the real stoicism is built in a natural, equality, on the idea of abstinence. And this is precisely nationalism and racism with different!
