The following passage from Aulus Gellius‘ The Attic Nights describes the Stoic doctrine concerning involuntary emotional reactions or “proto-passions” (propatheiai). See also Seneca’s On Anger, for a detailed discussion with some different examples, relating to anger rather than fear. The concept is also mentioned in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations – all three of our main surviving sources for […]
Tag archives: Epictetus
What the Stoics Really Said
This article provides an overview of some of the specific verbal formulas to be found in Stoic writings, particularly those derived from Epictetus.
The Stoic Handbook of Epictetus (New Powerpoint Slideshow)
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Introduction to Stoicism: The Three Disciplines
An introduction to Stoicism, or applied Stoic philosophy, focusing on the “Three Discplines” found in the writings of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, as explained by the modern French scholar Pierre Hadot.
A Simplified Modern Approach to Stoicism
This article provides a brief description of a simplified modern approach to Stoic practice, designed for anyone to follow, even if they are completely new to this subject.
Animal Metaphors in Stoicism (Part 1): The Bull and the Lion
This article (part 1) explores some of the animal metaphors found in Stoic literature, particularly the analogy of the “bull and the lion”, mentioned in Tom Wolfe’s novel A Man in Full (1998).
Teach yourself Stoicism: Love & Friendship in Stoicism
Brief excerpt from the chapter on love and friendship in Stoicism from the forthcoming book “Teach yourself Stoicism”, due for publicaiton in 2013 by Hodder.
A Crash Course in Stoicism
Short article outlining a basic three-step psychological and philosophical strategy described by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus for coping with misfortune or adversity.
Were Hand Gestures a Technique of Stoicism?
Short article describing the potential use of a series of symbolic hand gestures described by Zeno, as a psychological exercise or coping strategy in modern Stoicism.
Stoicism: God or Atoms?
Some rough notes on the question as to whether modern Stoics need to believe in God, or if they may be agnostics or even atheists.