A Complete Guide to Stoicism
Sep 16, 2026 · 1h 28m
Summary
This episode traces the history of Stoicism from its Greek origins to its Roman prominence. It details the lives of key figures like Zeno, Cleanthes, and Chrysippus, who established the school’s core tenets of virtue and logic. The narrative then follows the philosophy’s expansion into Rome through Panaetius and Posidonius, highlighting its influence on statesmen like Cato the Younger and Seneca. The discussion emphasizes how Stoic principles of self-control and duty shaped political resistance and personal ethics in the ancient world.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Berkeley College sponsorship
Overview of Stoicism and its core principles
Zeno of Citium: Origins and founding of the Stoa
Zeno's philosophy, teachings, and death
Sponsorship and podcast promotion
Cleanthes: Second head of the Stoic school
Chrysippus: Logic, physics, and the 'Second Founder'
Sponsorship and podcast promotion
Middle Stoicism: Diogenes, Panaetius, and Posidonius
Sponsorship and podcast promotion
Roman Stoics: Cato the Younger and the Stoic Opposition
Seneca the Younger: Life, works, and death
Sponsorship and podcast promotion
Musonius Rufus and Epictetus: Practical Stoicism
Sponsorship and podcast promotion
Marcus Aurelius: The Philosopher King and Meditations
Legacy of Stoicism in Late Antiquity and Christianity
Sponsorship and podcast promotion
Revival of Stoicism in Renaissance and Modern Times
Conclusion and final sponsorships
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