Stoic Philosophy Terms: The Complete Greek and Latin Glossary

Stoic Philosophy Terms

The Complete Greek and Latin Glossary

A comprehensive resource for understanding Stoic philosophical terms, from ancient Greek concepts to Roman Stoic practice

Introduction

Understanding the original Greek and Latin 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 Roman Stoic practice. Whether you’re studying the works of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, or Seneca, or cultivating your own Stoic practice, these terms provide a crucial foundation for understanding — and living — Stoic philosophy.

Stoic Philosophy terms: Glossary of Ancient Greek Concepts

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.
  • Summum Bonum — The highest good – The ultimate principle toward which all human action and value is oriented; for the Stoics, virtue itself
  • 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

Four Cardinal Virtues

  1. Sophia (σοφία) – Philosophical wisdom
  2. Phronēsis (φρόνησις) – Practical wisdom
  3. Dikaiosyne (δικαιοσύνη) – Justice
  4. Andreia (ἀνδρεία) – Courage
  5. Sophrosyne (σωφροσύνη) – Self-control/temperance

Cosmic Order

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
  • Memento Mori – Remember you will die – A contemplative practice of keeping death in mind, not as a source of fear, but as a clarifying lens that sharpens attention to what truly matters.
  • Memento Vivere – Remember to live – a reminder to engage fully and intentionally with life rather than merely endure it.
  • Amor Fati – Love of Fate – The practice of not merely accepting what happens, but embracing it wholeheartedly as necessary and good

Progress and Development

Learning and Practice

  • Prokoptōn (προκοπτών) – One making progress
  • Prokōpē (προκοπή) – Progress
  • Paideia (παιδεία) – Education
  • Askēsis (ἄσκησις) – Practice/training
  • Meletē (μελέτη) – Meditation/practice
  • Gymnasia (γυμνασία) – Exercise/training
  • Premeditatio Malorum — Premeditation of evils (Negative Visualization)

Character Development

  • Megalopsychia (μεγαλοψυχία) – Greatness of soul
  • Prosopon (πρόσωπον) – Character/Role/Persona – The role or character each person is given or chooses in life.
  • Aidos (αἰδώς) – Shame/reverence
  • Eustatheia (εὐσταθεία) – Stability of mind / steadiness
  • Karteria (καρτερία) – Endurance / patient perseverance
  • Epieikeia (ἐπιείκεια) – Fairness / leniency rooted in justice
  • Prothymia (προθυμία) – Eagerness toward virtue / goodwill

Social Relations

Community and Relationships

  1. Koinonia (κοινωνία) – Active Community
  2. Philanthropia (φιλανθρωπία) – Love of humanity
  3. Philostorgia (φιλοστοργία) – Natural affection
  4. Oikeiosis Koinonikē (οἰκείωσις κοινωνική) – Social appropriation

Communication and Truth

  1. Parrhesia (παρρησία) – Frank speech
  2. Alētheia (ἀλήθεια) – Truth
  3. Synesis (σύνεσις) – Understanding
  4. Diairesis (διαίρεσις) – Division/discrimination

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
  5. Eph’ hēmin (ἐφ’ ἡμῖν) – Up to us / In our power – The foundational Stoic distinction between what lies within our control and what does not
  6. Hypexairesis (ὑπεξαίρεσις) — The Reserve Clause — The Stoic practice of acting with full intention while mentally reserving that outcomes remain subject to fate; commonly expressed as “I will do this, fate permitting.

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.

Want to explore more Stoic practices?

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Author Bio

Benny Voncken is the founder of Via Stoica and host of The Via Stoica Podcast. He has practiced Stoicism as a way of life for over seven years and draws on almost 15 years of teaching experience to turn dense ancient ideas into daily practice. Since 2023 he has coached clients around the world through one-on-one Stoic coaching. He also leads Stoic walks across Europe, writes the monthly newsletter The Pause, and has spoken at Stoicon.