The Story of Philosophy

• Reference: Epicurus believed that the main aim of philosophy was to reach a state of tranquillity, or ataraxia.

"Up to us are opinion, impulse, desire, aversion... Not up to us are body, property, reputation, office."

- Epictetus

Insight: There are many things you can do nothing about, and it is irrational to worry about things outside our control.

Principle: Focus only on what you can control.

• Example: Courage as the mean between cowardice and foolhardy bravado.
• Insight: Aristotle, with the concept of the 'golden mean' is not arguing for absolute moderation in all things, because the mean is different for different people in different contexts.
• Reference: Aristotle: virtuous action is the mean between two extremes. For example the vices of excess and deficiency lie on either side of the middle path, the right course.

• Bio: Travelled to Athens in 313BCE, and decided to devote his life to philosophy. Student of Cynic Crates of Thebes. Cynicism had a big influence on Zeno. Became a teacher at the agora of Athens, in the painted porch or 'stoa', which is how Stoicism got its name. Zeno was the founder of Stoicism.