Post Greek Philosophers

ANISTHENES & THE CYNICS

It was founded by Anisthenes, in Athens around 400 B.C. He had been a pupil of
Socrates, and had become particularly interested in his frugality.
The Cynics emphasized that the true happiness is not found in external
advantages such as material luxury, political power, and good health.
True happiness lies in not being dependent on such stuff.
DIOGENES
What a lot of things I dont need! (One day, this is the remarks Socrates said,
gazing at a stall that sold all kinds of wares). This statement is the motto for the
Cynic school of philosophy.
Diogenes is the best known Cynics, a pupil of Anisthenes, who reputedly lived in
a barrel and owned nothing but a cloak, a stick and a bread bag.
The Cynic believed that people did not need to be concerned about their own
health. Even suffering and death should not disturb them.
They should not be affected by concern for other peoples woes.
Nowadays, the term cynical and cynicism have come to mean a sneering
disbelief in human sincerity, and imply insensitivity to other peoples suffering.
EPICURUS & EPICUREANISM
Founded by Epicurus
Studied under the followers of Plato and Aristotle
Greatly influence by Democritus philosophy
He founded a school and met his student in garden later known as Garden
Philosophers
Garden Philosophers
Entrance sign Strangers, here you will live well. Here pleasure is the highest
good.
Epicurus advocates simple life: healthy body and
healthy soul.
Epicurean at present usually refers to Eat, Drink and be Merry, for tomorrow
you might die!
Epicurus distinction of desire
1. Natural Desires- desires which are easy to satisfy. We will suffer by
discounting them.
2. Unnatural Desires- desires which are difficult to satisfy. The more we get it,
the more we want it.

Four Types of Pleasure

1.
2.
3.
4.

Intense & Short lasting Pleasure

Less intense & Longer lasting
Pleasure that culminate in pain
Pleasure that give a sense of peaceful well-being

Four Medical Herbs

-Summary of Epicurus philosophy
1.
2.
3.
4.

We should not fear the gods.

Death is nothing to worry about.
Good is easy to attain.
The fearful is easy to endure.

ZENO & THE STOICISM

Zeno is Phoenician merchant came to Athens after being shipwrecked.
Founded Stoicism from the word stoa Greek word for portico.
Look for a serene and controlled life through self- discipline.
The animating principle of all things are FIRE and REASON (logos)
Everything in world including God & soul is matter- dynamic, changing, active
and arranged in orderly manner.
They defined logos as rational spirit and makes itself into all things. This makes
the universe systematic, good, and well organized.
Whatever happens, happens for a reason. We can do nothing to alter the logos
already made.
Humans are miniature logos- a microcosm- reflecting the macrocosm. The
human soul is part of God, as God is part of the world.
Since nothing happens by chance, we must learn to accept our destiny.
Wisdom is our ability to distinguish the things that we can and cannot control.
Evil is the failure to control our emotions that clouds our reason. Virtue is the
ability to control our emotions.
PYRRHO AND SKEPTICISM
Skeptic from Greek skeptikoi meaning inquirers or doubters.
Aim to attain life of inner peace.
Questioned the concepts of Plato, Aristotle and Epicureans.
They classified DOGMATIC Philosophers into two: 1) Those who think they found
the truth 2) Those who said no one could know the truth.

SEXTUS EMPIRICUS
A physician and Philosopher

 Wrote an Outlines of Pyyrhonism, Against the Dogmatists

Our senses give us different impressions. We can never achieve certainty with
aid of senses.
What is considered good or evil is also subject to doubt.
PLOTINUS & NEO PLATONISM
Plotinus was born in Egypt and little known about his life. It is through Porphyry,
we know about him.
Neo Platonism- is a time refering to beginning the work of Plotinus and closing of
Platos Academy;
They are mystical and religious in nature.
It attempts to produce a synthesis of philosophy and religious.
Plotinus believed that the world is a span between two poles. At one end is the
divine light which he called the One, and at the other end is absolute darkness,
which receives none of the light from the One.
Darkness actually has no existence. It is
simply the absence of light.
Union with the One is the essential goal of all persons, a unification that was
attainable through meditation and contemplation.
TRIADIC SCHEME OF REALITY
The summit is the One- the absolute simple goodness, the unknowable God, yet
apprehended by the soul as a presence transcending all knowing. (Burning fire)
From the One proceeds the mind (nous), a unity which comprehend the system of
forms. (spark from the fire)
From the mind, the world soul which embodies these forms and matters.
Plotinus discussed the hierarchy of being as emanation, a strongly physical
image. In the process of emanation, there is a gradual loss, for every effect is
slightly inferior to its cause.
It attempts to produce a synthesis of philosophy and religious.