Zeno of Citium (334–262 BC) was the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy.  Born in Cyprus, he relocated to Athens, where he studied under Stilpo of Megara and Crates of Thebes. Zeno was renowned for his teachings on logic, metaphysics, and ethics, and his theories continue to shape Western philosophy today.

Stoicism is a philosophy that places a strong emphasis on reason, restraint, and accepting one’s fate. It contends that everything in the universe has order and reason, and that we should make an effort to live in harmony with this order. The Stoics thought that if we want to find inner peace, we have to stop caring about our feelings and urges. By doing this, we can get a sense of inner peace and freedom from suffering.

Early Life and Education

Citium, a town on the island of Cyprus, is where Zeno was born. Zeno’s father, a merchant, raised him in a low-income family. According to one tale, he lost everything when his ship capsized while en route to Athens. He started studying philosophy in Athens, originally under the tutelage of Crates of Thebes.

Zeno liked the Cynics’ way of looking at the world because they rejected traditional social norms and standards in favor of a simple, moral way of life. He also absorbed ideas from the Megara-based philosopher Stilpo, who placed a high value on logic and reason.

After learning from Crates and Stilpo, Zeno began to come up with his own ideas about philosophy. On Athens’ Stoa Poikile, a common porch where philosophers gathered to exchange ideas, he began to teach. This is the origin of the word “stoicism.”

His Teachings

In Zeno’s philosophy, ethics, or the investigation of moral norms and values, was the main topic. He thought that a person’s life should be lived in harmony with reason and nature. He also thought that the key to a happy life was developing inner peace and a sense of being separate from one’s emotions and goals.

Zeno said that instead of worrying excessively about things that are out of our control, we should accept our fate. The Stoic maxim “Live according to nature” captures this idea. Living in accordance with the natural order of the cosmos means accepting it in the eyes of the Stoics.

Zeno highlighted the value of restraint and discipline as well. He was of the opinion that we should make an effort to suppress our impulses and feelings and not let outside forces, such as events or situations, influence us. He held that we ought to achieve an inner calm, which entails separation from our feelings and desires. So, we can acquire a level of inner tranquility and release from suffering by doing this.

Zeno’s views on metaphysics and ethics were intertwined. He believed that a divine order, or “logos,” that governed the entire cosmos, preserved the harmony and balance of the cosmos. He thought that because we are a part of this order, we should make an effort to live in harmony with it.

Another major theme in Zeno’s philosophy was the importance of logic and reasoning. He thought that in order to understand the world around us and to make wise decisions, we needed to use our capacity for thinking. He thought that using reason to gain wisdom and understanding was the secret to leading a good life.

Influence

Zeno’s ideas had a sizable impact on the development of Western philosophy. His theories on logic, metaphysics, and ethics are being researched and discussed today. Hence, Zeno’s stoic philosophy had a significant impact on Western philosophy and society. He had an impact on a number of philosophers after him, and his ideas about reason, virtue, self-control, and fate became fundamentals of Western society. Marus Aurlieus, Seneca, and Epictetus would have never gained a following if it weren’t for Zeno. So, the Stoic philosophy continues to inspire individuals all across the world and has affected everything from ethics to personal responsibility. Lastly to consider, without Zeno’s efforts and insight there wouldn’t be the Philosophy of Stoicism.