Ancient Greek philosophy Ancient Greek philosophy arose in the 6th century BC. Philosophy was used to make sense of the world using reason. It dealt with a wide variety of subjects, including astronomy, epistemology, mathematics, political philosophy, ethics, metaphysics ...

, ( Greek: , from indicating negation or absence and with the abstract noun suffix ), generally translated as , , , or , is a lucid state of robust equanimity characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. In non-philosophical usage, was the ideal mental state for soldiers entering battle. Achieving is a common goal for Pyrrhonism,

Epicureanism Epicureanism is a system of philosophy founded 307 BCE based upon the teachings of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher. Epicurus was an atomist and materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to religious s ...

, and

Stoicism Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy that flourished in ancient Greece and Rome. The Stoics believed that the universe operated according to reason, ''i.e.'' by a God which is immersed in nature itself. Of all the schools of ancient ...

, but the role and value of within each philosophy varies in accordance with their philosophical theories. The mental disturbances that prevent one from achieving also vary among the philosophies, and each philosophy has a different understanding as to how to achieve .

Pyrrhonism

In Pyrrhonism, is the intended result of (i.e., suspension of judgment) regarding all matters of dogma (i.e., non-evident belief), which represents the central aim of Pyrrhonist practice, that is necessary to bring about .

Epicureanism

is a key component of the Epicurean conception of pleasure (), which they consider the highest good. Epicureans break pleasure down into two categories: the physical and the mental. They consider mental, not physical, pleasures to be of high importance because physical pleasures exist only in the present; while mental pleasures exist in the past, the present, and the future. Epicureans further separate pleasure into what they call pleasure, those that come about through action or change, and pleasures, those that come about through an absence of distress. Those who achieved freedom from physical disturbance were said to be in a state of , while those who achieved freedom from mental disturbances were said to be in a state of . , as both a mental and pleasure, is key to a person's happiness.

Stoicism

In Stoicism, unlike Pyrrhonism or Epicureanism, , or tranquillity of the mind, is not the ultimate goal of life. Instead, the goal is a life of virtue according to nature, which is intended to bring about , the absence of unhealthy passions. However, since Stoics in a state of do not care about matters outside of themselves and are not susceptible to emotion, they would be unable to be disturbed by anything at all, meaning that they were also in a stage of mental tranquillity and thus in a state of .

References

{{Virtues Concepts in ancient Greek ethics Concepts in ancient Greek philosophy of mind Epicureanism Happiness Pyrrhonism Theories in ancient Greek philosophy

Pyrrhonism

Epicureanism

Stoicism

See also

References