The ancient Greek and Roman civilizations made a great contribution to the field of philosophy. The civilizations focused on the development of human wisdom when incorporating governance, morality, good and evil, and well as the true meaning and purpose of human life. The philosophies adopted during the Greco-Roman era were an attribute to the political, social, economic, and religious perception that characterized the civilization. While there were many philosophies, Epicurean, Stoics, and Cynics were the most popular and most subscribed to by the ancient Roman and Greeks. The philosophies taught at the ancient times sought to help people to achieve the highest possible meaning in life, remain true to the self, and achieve happiness.
Epicureanism philosophy was based on the teachings of Epicurus, who was a famous Greek philosopher. Contrary to other philosophies of the time, Epicurus defined the beliefs of superstition and divine intervention when it came to living a satisfactory life. The philosophy revolved around pleasure, as the ultimate good in one’s life. Therefore, the philosophy urged people to try and attain the highest and trust level of pleasure in their lives. Instead of supernatural intervention, Epicurus taught about the consequences of overindulgence, which was a form of uncontrolled pleasure. Once an individual over-indulged in pleasure, he or she was bound to suffer the consequences. Epicurus mapped out these consequences as moral, material, reputation, and self-value. While the philosophy eliminated the fear of gods and death, it taught people on love, compassion, and socialism, which eventually affected individual’s ability to have mental pleasure as opposed to physical pleasure. He suggested that friendship and acceptance were the basic tenets to a satisfying life.
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Stoics or stoicism is a school of thought developed by Zeno of Citium in the 3r century Before Christ. The philosophy had many subscribers who were also followers of the teachings of Socrates. Stoicism predominantly focused on individuals, society, and their pursuit of happiness. The subscribers believed that happiness was a construct controlled by the mind of the person dealing with the situation. At a social level, happiness was based on love and tolerance as the only ultimate good in society. For an individual to be truly happy, he has to accept the moment as it comes without extreme desires for the pleasure of fear of pain in the future. The philosophy also maintained that pain or pleasure, foreseen on a future date did not change in magnitude due to anticipation. However, the affected individual’s ability to enjoy the moment, which was more or less favorable when compared to the anticipation. Social collaboration, tolerance, and acceptance of the moments were the major tenets taught by the philosophy.
Cynicism is a school of thought taught and practiced by cynics. The philosophy teaches that the primary role of human beings, as the thinking creatures, is to live a simple life in agreement with nature. The human thinking capabilities allow them to reject any attempts to accumulate power, indulge in sex, or fame. If these things come, out of living a simple and truest life, then human beings are the receivers of the reward. However, the reward should not control their life to a point of losing the primary purpose of living. Cynicism observed that human happiness is associated with expectations. Therefore, if an individual did not expect much from life, and lived in conformity with nature, he or she is likely to attain a higher level of happiness and remain truest to the self.
