Stoic Philosophy Terms: A Glossary of Ancient Greek Concepts

A comprehensive resource for understanding ancient Stoic philosophical concepts and their Greek origins

Stoic Philosophy terms: Glossary of Ancient Greek Concepts

Introduction

Understanding the original Greek terms used in Stoic philosophy gives you deeper insights into the meaning of the ancient Stoic texts. This comprehensive guide offers the essential vocabulary of Stoicism, from fundamental principles to practical applications. Whether you’re studying the works of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, or Seneca, or cultivating your own Stoic practice, these terms provide a crucial understanding of Stoic thought.

Fundamental Principles

The foundation of Stoic philosophy rests on key concepts about ethics, virtue, and the nature of the universe. These terms represent the theoretical framework that supports all of Stoic practice.

Ethics and Virtue

  • Eudaimonia (εὐδαιμονία) – Happiness/Flourishing/The Good Spirit State – The highest good and goal of life; a state of being in harmony with one’s daimon, or inner rational spirit.
  • Arete (ἀρετή) – Virtue – Excellence of character and right reason
  • Telos (τέλος) – End/Purpose/Goal – The ultimate aim of life
  • Oikeiōsis (οἰκείωσις) – Ethical orientation/appropriation – The natural process by which beings come to recognize themselves and others as part of their own concern, forming the foundation for moral development and social affinity.
  • Kalon (καλόν) – The morally beautiful/noble – That which is inherently worthy
  • Kathēkon (καθῆκον) – Appropriate action – Proper function or duty
  • Katorthōma (κατόρθωμα) – Perfect action – Morally perfect deed

Cosmic Order

  • Logos (λόγος) – Divine Reason – Universal organizing principle that permeates all reality
  • Daimon (δαίμων) – Inner Spirit and Guardian – The personal expression of the Logos within each person; a rational and moral guiding spirit
  • Pneuma (πνεῦμα) – Breath/Spirit – The active, animating force that sustains the cosmos and individual beings
  • Heimarmene (εἱμαρμένη) – Fate – The chain of cause and effect; causal necessity
  • Pronoia (πρόνοια) – Providence – Rational and benevolent foresight governing the cosmos
  • Sympatheia (συμπάθεια) – Interconnection – Mutual affinity and unity among all parts of the universe
  • Taxis (τάξις) – Order – The inherent structure of the cosmos
  • Physis (φύσις) – Nature – The totality of what exists; also the inner nature or essence of things

Theory of Value

The Stoic theory of value provides a practical framework for decision-making and emotional resilience. Understanding these concepts helps clarify what truly matters in life and what deserves our attention.

Indifferents

  • Adiaphora (ἀδιάφορα) – Things that are morally indifferent
  • Proēgmena (προηγμένα) – Preferred indifferents – Things that are naturally desirable, such as health or wealth
  • Apoproēgmena (ἀποπροηγμένα) – Dispreferred indifferents – Things that are naturally avoided, such as illness or poverty
  • Axia (ἀξία) – Value – The measure of worth attributed to an indifferent based on its alignment with nature
  • Ekloge (ἐκλογή) – Selection – The process of choosing what is preferred in accordance with reason
  • Apekloge (ἀπεκλογή) – Rejection – The rational refusal of what is dispreferred

Mental Faculties and States

Mental Faculties

  • Hegemonikon (ἡγεμονικόν) – Ruling faculty – The central rational part of the soul responsible for thought, decision, and perception
  • Phantasia (φαντασία) – Impression – The appearance or representation that presents itself to the mind
  • Synkatathesis (συγκατάθεσις) – Assent – The act of rationally accepting or rejecting an impression
  • Katalēpsis (κατάληψις) – Cognitive grasp – Clear and firm comprehension of a truth
  • Prolēpsis (πρόληψις) – Preconception – Innate, general concepts or intuitions formed naturally in the mind
  • Ennoia (ἔννοια) – Notion – A developed concept or idea
  • Hypolēpsis (ὑπόληψις) – Opinion/assumption – A belief not necessarily grounded in clear rational evidence

Psychological States

Emotions and Reactions

  • Apatheia (ἀπάθεια) – Freedom from passions – A state of emotional equanimity achieved through rational mastery over destructive impulses
  • Eupatheia (εὐπάθεια) – Good emotions – Positive emotional responses such as joy, caution, and wish based on virtue and reason
  • Pathos (πάθος) – Passion – An irrational and excessive emotional disturbance
  • Propatheia (προπάθεια) – Pre-emotion – An initial automatic reaction that precedes rational evaluation
  • Hormē (ὁρμή) – Impulse – The initial movement of the soul toward or away from something perceived
  • Aphormē (ἀφορμή) – Repulsion – A movement of the soul away from something dispreferred
  • Lypē (λύπη) – Distress – A type of pathos reflecting emotional pain

States of Mind

  • Ataraxia (ἀταραξία) – Tranquility – A steady tranquility of mind, grounded in reason and virtue, undisturbed by fear, desire, or external events.
  • Autarkeia (αὐτάρκεια) – Self-sufficiency – The ideal state of being internally fulfilled and independent
  • Procheiron (πρόχειρον) – Ready at hand – A quality of being prepared to apply reason
  • Prosochē (προσοχή) – Attention – Ongoing awareness and vigilance in moral thought and action
  • Epochē (ἐποχή) – Suspension of judgment – Withholding assent in uncertain situations to maintain clarity

Progress and Development

Learning and Practice

Character Development

  • Megalopsychia (μεγαλοψυχία) – Greatness of soul
  • Aidos (αἰδώς) – Shame/reverence
  • Sophrosyne (σωφροσύνη) – Self-control/temperance
  • Dikaiosyne (δικαιοσύνη) – Justice
  • Andreia (ἀνδρεία) – Courage
  • Phronēsis (φρόνησις) – Practical wisdom

Decision and Action

Choice and Will

  1. Prohairesis (προαίρεσις) – Moral choice/will
  2. Boulēsis (βούλησις) – Rational wish
  3. Orexis (ὄρεξις) – Desire
  4. Ekklisis (ἔκκλισις) – Aversion

Practical Application

  1. Homologoumenos (ὁμολογουμένως) – Living consistently
  2. Kathekonta (καθήκοντα) – Appropriate actions
  3. Sumpheronta (συμφέροντα) – Advantageous things
  4. Energeia (ἐνέργεια) – Activity/actuality

These modern English terms capture core Stoic insights and meditative techniques that help put the philosophy into practice:

  • Dichotomy of Control – Some things are up to us, and some are not. Wisdom lies in focusing only on what we can control.
  • Virtue Is the Only Good – A key Stoic teaching: only virtue is good; everything else is indifferent.
  • Stoic Sage – The ideal wise person who lives in perfect harmony with nature and reason.
  • View from Above – A meditative practice for gaining perspective by imagining a cosmic or elevated point of view.

Conclusion

Understanding these Greek Stoic terms enriches our grasp of Stoic philosophy and enhances our ability to apply its wisdom in daily life. While translation can never capture the full nuance of the original Greek, familiarity with these concepts provides deeper insight into Stoic teachings and their practical applications.

Further Resources

FAQ Section

Q: Why are the original Greek terms important?
A: Understanding the original Greek terms helps access deeper meanings that may be lost in translation and connects us directly with ancient Stoic thought.

Q: How can I use these terms in my Stoic practice?
A: Start by focusing on one concept at a time, reflecting on its meaning, and looking for ways to apply it in daily life.

Q: Which terms should beginners focus on first?
A: Begin with fundamental concepts like Logos, Arete, and Eudaimonia, then gradually explore more specific terms.