Virtue is the highest good in Stoic philosophy from "summary" of Stoicism and the Art of Happiness by Donald Robertson
According to the Stoics, the highest good in life is virtue. This concept lies at the heart of their philosophy, guiding their thoughts and actions. Virtue, for the Stoics, is not just one good among many; it is the ultimate good, the key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life. To understand why virtue is considered the highest good, we must look at the Stoic understanding of the nature of the human soul. The Stoics believed that we are all born with a spark of divine reason within us, which they called the "logos." This rational principle is what sets humans apart from other animals and allows us to act in accordance with the natural order of the universe. Virtue, then, is the expression of this divine reason in our thoughts and actions. It is the alignment of our will with the universal reason tha...
Similar Posts
Striving for excellence in all that we do leads to a life welllived
The Stoics believed that the key to a fulfilling life lies in our pursuit of excellence in all our endeavors. By striving for e...
Be content with what you have
Seneca advises us to be content with what we have, rather than constantly craving for more. He believes that true happiness lie...
Live with integrity and authenticity in all your actions
Living with integrity and authenticity means being true to ourselves and acting in alignment with our values and beliefs. It re...
Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions
It is within our power to keep our minds free from anxiety and agitation, by being mindful of our thoughts and emotions. When w...
Embrace change as a natural part of life
Change is an inevitable part of life, a constant force that shapes our existence in ways both big and small. From the shifting ...
The Stoic idea of "living according to nature" was key to achieving inner harmony
The Stoic idea of "living according to nature" was central to their understanding of how to achieve inner harmony. For the Stoi...
The key Stoic virtues are wisdom, courage, justice, and selfcontrol
The Stoics believed that the key virtues that every person should strive for are wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control. Th...
Cultivating a sense of interconnectedness and empathy towards all beings
The Stoics believed that cultivating a sense of interconnectedness and empathy towards all beings was essential for living a vi...
Realize that true freedom comes from within
The key to true freedom, according to the Stoics, lies not in external circumstances or possessions, but within ourselves. Epic...
Stoicism teaches the power of perception and perspective
Stoicism emphasizes the importance of perception and perspective in shaping our experiences and responses to the world around u...
