Philosophies of Ataraxia

Question 1

Parallel to the classic Greek philosophy created by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, some independent thinkers living in various Greek and Roman cities developed a _______ type of psychology.

Answer 1

noncognitive

Question 2

Philosophies of cognitive and moral values

Answer 2

How to be wise and virtuous (sophia and arete)
-> Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

Question 3

Philosophies of emotional values

Answer 3

How to be happy and untroubled (ataraxia)
-> 4 subgroups: Cynicism, Skepticism, Epicureanism and Stoicism

Question 4

Ataraxia def

Answer 4

State of tranquility, peace of mind, and happiness

Question 5

Cynicism main person

Answer 5

Diogenes
-> Known for his ascetic lifestyle and rejection of material comfort.

Question 6

Cynicism

Answer 6

• Like animals, humans belong to nature; therefore, they should live close to nature
• Recommended living in a cave (=/ building)
• Loose polygamic transient hordes
• Back-to-nature, low hygiene
• Rejection of social norms and traditions. Defended animalistic egoism → ostensibly behave in a vulgar, primitive manner
• No social or religious ethics
• The free world rather than tribal solidarity, Patria

Question 7

What’s the debate about cynicism?

Answer 7

Some philosophers consider cynism as counterculture rather than philosophy

Question 8

Counter subculture def

Answer 8

Groups manifesting:
- Rebellion against respected values, norms, traditions
- Civil disobedience, disruptive actions
- Ostensible demonstration of being different
- Imposition of the new ideology onto others

Question 9

What are examples of counter subcultures?

Answer 9

• Greco-Roman Cynics
• The Hippies movement
• The Punk movement
• The Cancel-subculture (wokeism)

Question 10

Skepticism main person

Answer 10

Pyrrho of Elis

Question 11

Would Plato recognize himself in skepticism?

Answer 11

No. Plato was also skeptical of the cognitive value of sensory perception. BUT he would not join this way of thinking.
-> The Skeptics rejected NOT ONLY sensory epistemology, but Platonian rational epistemology as well.

Question 12

Skepticism def

Answer 12

• Mistrusted both sensory empirical epistemology + platonian logical epistemology + socratic absolute truth and virtues. -> Mistrusted ANY source of knowledge and ANY conclusions.
• Impossibility to know truth
• Challenging the existing views and rules; Doubts and avoidance of conclusions
• Chronic state of helpless doubt and mistrust
• BUT still ethics

Question 13

Skepticism went a bit far with what concept?

Answer 13

Socratic aporia - transient state of confusion leading to a definite solution/conclusion.
-> The Skeptics remained in aporia.

Question 14

As they’re skeptic of everything, did skeptics have moral values?

Answer 14

Not knowing whether social rules are right or wrong does NOT justify disrespecting them
-> We do NOT challenge social rules, customs & traditions because we value harmony and peace of mind.

Question 15

Epicureanism main person

Answer 15

Epicurus (Greece), Lucretius & Horatius (Rome)

Question 16

Recommendations of Epicureanism

Answer 16

• Avoid social troubles & physical pain
• Accept the blind fortune and do not complain (INDETERMINISM)
• SOPHISTICATED pleasure instead of primitive hedonism
• Obey natural laws
• Observe social rules to avoid troubles
• Egocentric, opportunistic ethics
• Enjoy the day, the present, the moment.

Question 17

Indeterminism. What does that mean and to which school of thinking does it pertains?

Answer 17

• Impossible to know the cause and the effect.
• Impossible to foresee our future/faith, we’re just victims of unpredictable random events in the universe.
• Random, unpredictable fate, avoid social troubles & physical pain.

Question 18

What’s a sentence that would represent epicureanism?

Answer 18

Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero
-> Seize the day and put minimum trust in tomorrow.

Question 19

Epicureanism (carpe diem) inspired later, modern psychology. Give examples.

Answer 19

• Medieval “Gaudeamus igitur”: enjoy life before it is over
• Gestalt-Therapy (F. Perls): focus on here and now (instead of worrying of past and future)
• Positive Psychology:optimism and gratitude

Question 20

What’s the difference between Epicureanism and Hedonism?

Answer 20

Hedonism = ANY pleasure
Epicureanism = SOPHISTICATED pleasure, avoid rustic/hedonistic lust

Question 21

Stoicism main person(s)

Answer 21

Zeno of Citium, Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius

Question 22

Stoicism def

Answer 22

• Divine master plan - Determinism (=/ epicureans)
• Everything in the universe happens for a reason and everything has a place
• Do not revolt against the natural rules + obey social rules
• Moderation, modesty, asceticism, courage, dignity, trust.
• In the face of adverse events, keep your spirits high
  -> Human body can be killed but not the soul

Question 23

What types of motivations can we find in philosophers/religious pple? (3)

Answer 23

(1) Religious motivations
(2) Rational motivation
(3) Opportunistic pragmatic motivation

Question 24

Religious motivation: def + example

Answer 24

We must observe the rules of ethics because gods or heaven revealed them to our leaders.
-> E.g. Hammurabi, Abraham, Moses, Confucius and partially Stoicism

Question 25

Rational motivation: def + example

Answer 25

We must observe the rules of ethics bc they are intrinsic virtues or the rational soul.
-> E.g. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle; later Descartes, Spinoza, Kant

Question 26

Opportunistic pragmatic motivation: def + example

Answer 26

We observe the rules bc we want to avoid trouble and keep peace of mind.
-> E.g. Sophists, Skepticism and Epicureanism