Zeno, the First Great Stoic
This article will delve into the history and accomplishments of a great figure: Zeno of Citium (an ancient, Phoenician city located in Cyprus), also known as the father of Stoicism. Zeno founded this new school of thought in the early 3rd century BC, because he believed universal reason was the ultimate morality in life and that following this reasoning should become the objective of humanity. Although Zeno is often considered the father of this philosophy, two other men are recognized as forming the three heads of Stoic philosophy.
These two men were Cleanthes of Assos (an ancient Greek town, now located in present day Turkey) and Chyrsippus of Soli (another ancient Greek town, also now located in Turkey). Although these men are noteworthy in their contributions to Stoicism, this article will focus primarily on the philosophical accomplishments of Zeno.
Zeno’s Lesson on Shipwrecks
Little remains of Zeno’s original works; however, his few remaining writings offer an insightful guide into ancient history and also pass wisdom down to present-day readers. Furthermore, Zeno’s writings provide a glimpse into his own life, which was incidentally filled with setbacks, but they also show how he continuously overcame those setbacks. When all seems lost, Zeno demonstrates that the mark of greatness is in one’s ability to overcome every obstacle life throws at us.
Perhaps Zeno’s greatest example is when he was tragically shipwrecked and stranded in Athens, Greece. Rather than give up, he found a way to overcome his setback, and it was this incident which opened his soul and mind to the philosophical thinking of the Hellenistic world. The metaphor of a shipwreck is one many people can relate to. It is a story where everything in your life goes wrong, where you endure unforeseen, painful circumstances, but it is also a story of perseverance, of refusing to give up and instead creating a better life for yourself.
During his unexpected stay in Athens, Zeno managed to get hold of a copy of Xenophon’s work, Memorabilia. This book changed his life and led him down the path of philosophy and reason. Arguably, Zeno once stated, “I made a prosperous voyage when I was shipwrecked”. Here, he is implying that his life had no meaning before he was shipwrecked. In other words, all the material and financial benefits he enjoyed as a merchant did not bring him true inner joy; instead, he found his true calling in the study of philosophy and the exercise of his mind and heart.
This demonstrates how the cruelties of life can sometimes prove to be a blessing in disguise. This is especially true when coupled with a combination of deep soul searching and determination in order to contemplate their true purpose. After overcoming their setbacks and negative outlook on life, a person can then begin to find their calling. If that person manages to fulfill his or her purpose, they may finally acquire a sense of meaning and happiness in life that may otherwise have been unobtainable if not for their setback.
The Origins of Stoicism
By reading the works of various philosophers, Zeno became a renowned student of philosophy under three teachers: Crates of Thebes, Stilpo the Megarian, and Polemo. He learned about the nuances and details of a philosopher’s life from all three of his teachers. One very important thing that he learned about was conduct. He learned how a man should conduct himself on a daily basis and the meaning of living life based on ethical principles. The idea of how one should act on a daily basis would mold his character and views on how to live life. As a result of what he learned and experienced, he became a devoted student and practitioner of philosophy.
Their teachings and knowledge, coupled with Zeno’s natural affinity for philosophy, provided him with the wisdom and tools necessary to become a great philosopher in his own right. Thus, with the experience he acquired, along with his love and knowledge of philosophy, he set about creating a new school of philosophy.
Needless to say, the philosophy he created was called Stoicism. This new school would change how people thought about things and how they perceived the world. It was a philosophy that would provide new insights into reason and ethics. Moreover, Stoicism would become one of the most popular schools of thought in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Stoicism gave Zeno a sense of purpose and discipline that he did not get from being a merchant, and that purpose gave him a mission in life. His mission was to educate people about the importance of having and abiding by moral principles through the use of reason. Although, little remains of his works, his devotion to learning and teaching, which are the building blocks for strengthening the mind, cannot be understated.
He ardently believed in communication and human interaction. For example, if you listen to me you might learn something and if I listen to you I might learn something as well. That was a tenant of Zeno’s Stoicism. Look at the quote below and perhaps try practicing it in your own lives. Listening without interrupting; give people a chance to explain themselves, and you might actually realize that they make a valid point.
To Summarize His Life
In summary, Zeno’s life was one of a true Stoic. His story teaches us that passion and a life-changing experience can give birth to discipline and new devotion. Furthermore, his experience teaches us that nothing in life is achieved without hard work and education. Talent is raw, so it must be carefully nurtured through work and study. Zeno was the epitome of such a statement.
Author’s Thoughts
Zeno was the type of intellectual powerhouse that our modern world desperately needs. He provided humanity with the idea of preserving self-autonomy. He understood that a person should never compromise their principles, especially if they are convinced of their conviction. The greatest thing a person can possess, according to Zeno, is his or her principles.
The world needs men and women to rise from their idleness, misfortunes, slumber and inequity, to use their lives for something greater, to stand for something worthwhile, to accomplish something great. Our world faces multiple crises, both existential and non-existential. It is men like Zeno who offer inspiration to us all through these trying times. We may not have been shipwrecked in a literal sense, but we have surely lost our way. Thankfully, Zeno gave us a life raft in the form of his philosophy, but it is up to us to find our own path to safety, purpose and happiness.
