On the Path to Virtue

This study is divided into two main parts. The first one is about the specific Stoic doctrine on moral progress (prokopê). Attention is first given to the subtle view developed by the early Stoics, who categorically denied the existence of any mean between vice and virtue, and yet succeeded in giving moral progress a logical and meaningful place within their ethical thinking. Subsequently, the position of later Stoics (Panaetius, Hecato, Posidonius, Seneca, Musonius Rufus, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius) is examined. Most of them appear to adopt a basically 'orthodox' view, although each one of them lays his own accents and deals with Chrysippus' tenets from his own personal perspective. Occasionally, the 'heterodox' position of Aristo of Chios proves to have remained influential too.

The second part of the study deals with the polemical reception of the Stoic doctrine of moral progress in (Middle-)Platonism. The first author who is discussed is Philo of Alexandria. Philo deals with the Stoic doctrine in a very ideosyncratical way. He never explicitly attacked the Stoic view on moral progress, although it is clear from various passages in his work that he favoured the Platonic-Peripatetic position rather than the Stoic one. Next, Plutarch's position is examined, through a detailed analysis of his treatise 'De profectibus in virtute'. Finally, attention is given to two school handbooks dating from the period of Middle-Platonism (Alcinous and Apuleius). In both of them, the Stoic doctrine is rejected without many arguments, which shows that a correct (and anti-Stoic) conception of moral progress was regarded in Platonic circles as a basic knowledge for beginning students.The whole discussion is placed into a broader philosophical-historical perspective by the introduction (on the philosophical tradition before the Stoa) and the epilogue (about later discussions in Neo-Platonism and early Christianity).

"On the Path to Virtue" was written by Geert Roskam.

Geert Roskam is Professor of Greek language and literature at KU Leuven.

Yes, "On the Path to Virtue" is part of the "Ancient and Medieval Philosophy - Series 1" series. It's book 33 in the series.

In association with The De Wulf-Mansion Centre.

About the Series

The series' focus lies primarily on the continuity and thematic transitions between ancient, medieval and renaissance thought, but also includes volumes on specific topics related to any of those periods. ‘Philosophy' is understood broadly to include metaphysics, ethics, natural philosophy, epistemology and philosophy of mind, and philosophical theology. Since the series is particularly devoted to making available Latin and Greek source texts, we welcome critical text editions as well as contributions that are based on philological scrutiny of those texts, without losing sight of their philosophical importance.

Ancient and Medieval Philosophy - Series 1 aims to publish at least two volumes a year and accepts monographs as well as thematically coherent edited volumes in English (without excluding the possibility of French, German, or Italian contributions to edited volumes). Manuscripts should be 80.000 to 120.000 words in length.

Readership

Researchers and graduate students in ancient, medieval and renaissance philosophy, in classics and in history.

Editorial Coordinator

Russell Friedman, KU Leuven, Belgium

Editorial Board

Pieter Beullens, KU Leuven, Belgium
Lisa Devriese, KU Leuven, Belgium
Pieter d'Hoine, KU Leuven, Belgium
Jan Opsomer, KU Leuven, Belgium
Jenny Pelletier, KU Leuven, Belgium
Andrea Robiglio, KU Leuven, Belgium
Carlos Steel, KU Leuven, Belgium
Gerd Van Riel, KU Leuven, Belgium

Advisory Board

Brad Inwood, Yale Universityo, USA
Jill Kraye, The Warburg Institute, London, United Kingdom
John Marenbon, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Lodi Nauta, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Timothy Noone (†) , The Catholic University of America, USA
Robert Pasnau, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA
Martin Pickavé, University of Toronto, Canada,
Pasquale Porro, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
Geert Roskam, KU Leuven, Belgium

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Proposals and enquiries can be sent to  editorial coordinator Russell L. Friedman. Please send a preliminary abstract (3-4 pp.) and a short bio. Upon approval of this abstract, the full manuscript will be submitted to international peer review.

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Links & Resources

Introduction

PART I: STOICISM

Chapter 1: The problem of moral progress in Ancient Stoicism

Chapter 2: The doctrine of moral progress in later Stoic thinking
1. Panaetius
2. Hecato
3. Posidonius
4. Seneca
5. Musonius Rufus
6. Epictetus
7. Marcus Aurelius

PART II: (MIDDLE-)PLATONISM

Introduction

Chapter 3: Philo of Alexandria
1. Introduction
2. Philo on moral progress
3. Philo and the Stoic doctrine
4. Conclusion

Chapter 4: Plutarch of Chaeroneia
1. Introduction
2. Chapters 1-3a(75A-76C): Plutarch on moral progress against Stoicism
3. Chapters 3b-5 (76C-78A): continuity as indication of moral progress
4. Chapters 6-7a (78A-E): mildness and lack of jealousy as indication of moral progress
5. Chapters 7b-9 (78E-80E)
6. Chapters 10-11 (80E-82F)
7. Chapter 12: (82F-83E): clear, untroubled dreams as indication of moral progress
8. Chapter 13 (83E-84B): alleviation and mildness of the passions as indication of moral progress
9. Chapters 14-15 (84B-85B): consistency between words and deeds as indication of moral progress
10. Chapter 16 (85B-D): ability to associate with men of high morals as indication of moral progress
11. Chapter 17: (85E-86A): attentive watchfulness regarding all faults as indication of moral progress
12. Conclusion: Plutarch's conception of moral progress in De profectibus in virtue

Chapter 5: The Perspective of the SChool: Two Handbooks on Platonic Doctrine
1. Alcinous
2. Apuleius

Epilogue
Appendix
Bibliography
Indices
1. Index nominum
2. Index locorum