Human excellence.
This is the sole good for Stoics, and is defined as knowledge.
In ancient Greece, everything was thought to have its own unique virtue or aretē.
You could speak of the excellence of a house, or argue about what makes an excellent book or play.
When the Stoics say that happiness is found through virtue, they are saying that a good life is achieved by being an excellent person.
Because humans are uniquely intelligent among animals, our excellence is found in thinking well.
So being an excellent person is living with knowledge.
Knowledge was broken down into 4 sub-categories, or the cardinal virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Temperance.
Greek: Aretē
ἀρετή.
Book: Essential Stoic Concepts
Subtitle: A Stoic glossary
Author: Stoa
Chapter: Virtue
Location: Chapter 31, Section 2
Content:
Human excellence.
This is the sole good for Stoics, and is defined as knowledge.
In ancient Greece, everything was thought to have its own unique virtue or aretē.
You could speak of the excellence of a house, or argue about what makes an excellent book or play.
When the Stoics say that happiness is found through virtue, they are saying that a good life is achieved by being an excellent person.
Because humans are uniquely intelligent among animals, our excellence is found in thinking well.
So being an excellent person is living with knowledge.
Knowledge was broken down into 4 sub-categories, or the cardinal virtues: Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Temperance.
Greek: Aretē
ἀρετή.