When it comes to the ancient Greek philosophers, Aristotle and the Stoics are two of the most well-known and respected schools of thought.
Both believed that virtue was essential to achieving happiness, but they had differing views on what that meant in practice.
While Aristotle saw happiness as a combination of virtue, bodily goods, and external goods, the Stoics believed that happiness depended solely on virtue.
But could there be more similarities between these two schools of thought than meets the eye?
In this article, we’ll explore whether Aristotle was a Stoic and uncover any surprising connections between these two philosophical giants.
Was Aristotle A Stoic
To answer the question of whether Aristotle was a Stoic, we must first understand the fundamental differences between these two schools of thought.
Aristotle believed that happiness was achieved through a combination of virtue, bodily goods, and external goods. He saw virtue as a mean between two extremes, and believed that it was necessary to cultivate virtues such as courage, wisdom, and justice in order to live a good life.
On the other hand, the Stoics believed that happiness depended solely on virtue. They saw virtue as the only good and believed that external goods such as wealth and pleasure were not necessary for a happy life. Instead, they focused on living in accordance with nature and cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage, and self-control.
Given these differences, it may seem unlikely that Aristotle was a Stoic. However, there are some surprising connections between these two schools of thought.
For example, both Aristotle and the Stoics believed in the importance of cultivating virtues such as courage and wisdom. They also both believed in living in accordance with nature, although they had different interpretations of what that meant in practice.
Furthermore, some scholars have argued that Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia (happiness) is similar to the Stoic concept of living in accordance with nature. Both ideas emphasize the importance of living a virtuous life and finding fulfillment through ethical behavior.
While it’s unlikely that Aristotle was a Stoic in the strict sense of the term, there are certainly some similarities between these two schools of thought. Both emphasized the importance of cultivating virtues and living in accordance with nature, and both saw happiness as something that could be achieved through ethical behavior.
Introduction: Aristotle And The Stoics
When considering whether Aristotle was a Stoic, it’s important to note the fundamental differences between these two schools of thought. Aristotle believed that happiness was achieved through a combination of virtue, bodily goods, and external goods, while the Stoics believed that happiness depended solely on virtue. Despite these differences, there are surprising connections between these two schools of thought. Both Aristotle and the Stoics believed in the importance of cultivating virtues such as courage and wisdom, as well as living in accordance with nature. Additionally, some scholars have argued that Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia is similar to the Stoic concept of living in accordance with nature, as both emphasize the importance of living a virtuous life and finding fulfillment through ethical behavior. While it’s unlikely that Aristotle was a Stoic in the strict sense, there are certainly similarities between these two schools of thought.
Aristotle’s Views On Virtue And Happiness
Aristotle believed that virtue was an essential component of happiness, but he also believed that bodily and external goods were necessary for a happy life. He saw virtue as a mean between two extremes, and believed that it was necessary to cultivate virtues such as courage, wisdom, and justice in order to live a good life.
For Aristotle, happiness was the highest possible good, and he believed that it could be achieved through a combination of virtue, bodily goods, and external goods. He argued that bodily goods such as health and pleasure were necessary for happiness because they allowed us to pursue our goals and live a fulfilling life. Similarly, external goods such as wealth and power were necessary for happiness because they allowed us to fulfill our social and civic responsibilities.
However, Aristotle also recognized that these external goods were not sufficient for happiness. He believed that true happiness could only be achieved through the cultivation of virtues such as courage, wisdom, and justice. These virtues allowed us to live in accordance with reason and to achieve our full potential as human beings.
The Stoic Perspective On Virtue And Happiness
The Stoics believed that virtue was the only real good and that it was both necessary and sufficient for happiness. They saw the goal in life as living in agreement with nature, which meant cultivating virtues such as wisdom, courage, and self-control. The Stoics believed that humans were uniquely constituted by nature to develop reason as adults, which transformed their understanding of themselves and their own true good.
According to the Stoics, the virtuous life was free of all passions, which were seen as intrinsically disturbing and harmful to the soul. Instead, appropriate emotive responses were conditioned by rational understanding and the fulfillment of all one’s personal, social, professional, and civic responsibilities. The person who had achieved perfect consistency in the operation of his rational faculties, known as the “wise man,” was seen as an extremely rare but prescriptive ideal for all.
The Stoics believed that progress toward this noble goal of living in accordance with nature was both possible and vitally urgent. They argued that external goods such as wealth and pleasure were not necessary for a happy life, and that the pursuit of such goods could actually lead to misery and suffering. Instead, they emphasized the importance of cultivating virtues and living a virtuous life.
In contrast to Aristotle’s view that external goods were necessary for happiness, the Stoics argued that virtue alone was sufficient for a happy life. They believed that external goods were indifferent to happiness and that they should be pursued only insofar as they did not interfere with the cultivation of virtue.
Comparing And Contrasting Aristotle And The Stoics
When comparing and contrasting Aristotle and the Stoics, it’s important to note that both schools of thought have different views on what constitutes a happy life. Aristotle believed that happiness was achieved through a combination of virtue, bodily goods, and external goods, while the Stoics believed that happiness depended solely on virtue.
Another key difference between these two schools of thought is their approach to moderation. Aristotle believed that moderation was a quality of virtue, and that it was important for individuals to appreciate the good things in life with moderation. The Stoics, on the other hand, did not see moderation as a quality of virtue and instead focused on living in accordance with nature.
In terms of their views on ethics, the Stoics believed that virtue was the only real good and that it was both necessary and sufficient for happiness. They believed that progress towards achieving perfect consistency in the operation of one’s rational faculties was possible and vitally urgent. Aristotle, on the other hand, defined a well-lived life as a virtuous life and saw happiness as an activity rather than a feeling.
Finally, even in terms of their ontology and metaphysics, Aristotle had a hylomorphic account of substance while the Stoics were materialists.
Despite these differences, there are some surprising similarities between Aristotle and the Stoics. Both schools of thought emphasized the importance of cultivating virtues such as courage and wisdom, and both believed in living in accordance with nature. Additionally, both Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia and the Stoic concept of living in accordance with nature emphasize finding fulfillment through ethical behavior.
Was Aristotle Influenced By Stoicism?
It’s difficult to say for certain whether Aristotle was directly influenced by Stoicism, as the two schools of thought emerged at different times and in different contexts. However, there are some indications that Aristotle may have been familiar with Stoic ideas and may have been influenced by them to some extent.
For example, some scholars have pointed out similarities between Aristotle’s concept of the “mean” and the Stoic idea of living in accordance with nature. Both emphasize finding a balance between extremes and living in a way that is in harmony with the natural world.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Aristotle’s philosophy had a significant impact on later Hellenistic schools of thought, including Stoicism. The Stoics were known for their interest in logic and natural philosophy, both of which were areas of focus for Aristotle. It’s possible that some Stoic thinkers were influenced by Aristotle’s ideas, even if Aristotle himself was not directly influenced by Stoicism.
Similarities Between Aristotle And Stoicism
There are several similarities between Aristotle and Stoicism that are worth exploring. Firstly, both Aristotle and the Stoics believed that the way to achieve happiness (or eudaimonia) was through cultivating virtues. Aristotle saw virtues as a means of achieving a well-lived life, while the Stoics saw virtue as the only path to happiness.
Secondly, both Aristotle and the Stoics believed in the importance of moderation. Aristotle saw moderation as a quality of virtue, while the Stoics saw it as a way of living in accordance with nature. Both schools of thought believed that moderation was necessary to avoid excess and deficiency, which could lead to negative outcomes.
Thirdly, both Aristotle and the Stoics believed in living in accordance with nature. While their interpretations of what this meant differed, they both believed that humans should strive to live in harmony with the natural world. For Aristotle, this meant living in accordance with reason and fulfilling one’s potential as a rational being. For the Stoics, this meant accepting what happens in life and living in accordance with reason and nature.
Finally, both Aristotle and the Stoics emphasized the importance of ethical behavior. They believed that living a virtuous life was essential for achieving happiness and fulfillment. While their specific ideas about what constituted ethical behavior differed, they both saw ethics as a crucial component of a well-lived life.
Overall, while there are certainly differences between Aristotle and Stoicism, there are also several important similarities. Both schools of thought emphasized the importance of cultivating virtues, living in accordance with nature, practicing moderation, and engaging in ethical behavior. These shared ideas suggest that there may be more overlap between these two schools of thought than is often assumed.
