Philosophy of nature in Stoicism

Abstract

In this paper the author discusses some aspects of the philosophy of nature of the Stoicism, from Zeno of Citium, the founder of the Stoa poikile , to Marc Aurel, philosopher and emperor. In a holistic view, the stoics included philosophical anthropology and philosophy of religion in the philosophy of nature. After a brief exposition of the parts of the Stoa, also studied by Stoicism’s representatives, the author deals with the permanent question, also present in Stoicism’s philosophy: the eternity of the world. There are two possible answers for this question. In the presentation of the hierarchy of the beings, God, also named logos , is not forgotten. At the same time Stoicism is considered monotheist. The famous hymn of Cleanthes to Zeus testifies the existence of one God whom he humbly calls Father. The sympatheia ton holon is emphasized and lets us see the cosmos as a body with its interaction in the members. The universal conflagration is also emphasized in connection with the eternal return, without a hope of transcendence. Another subject of study is also the complex problem of fate related with the free will. At the end, brief considerations are presented about the actuality of Stoicism’s philosophy. Key words: philosophy of nature, logos , sympatheia ton holon , fate, universal conflagration.