The Stoic Doctrine of Providence: A Study of its Development and of Some of its Major Issues

by Bernard Collette

Overview

The Stoic Doctrine of Providence attempts to reconstruct the Stoic doctrine of providence (as argued for in ancient texts now lost) and explain its many fascinating philosophical issues.

Examining issues such as the compatibility between good and evil, and how a provident god can serve as model of political leadership, this is the first monograph of its kind to focus on the question of Stoic providence. It offers an in-depth study of the meaning and importance of this topic in eight distinct generations of Stoics, from Zeno of Citium (fourth century B.C.) to Panaetius of Rhodes (second century B.C.) to Marcus Aurelius (second century A.D.).

The Stoic Doctrine of Providence is key reading for anyone interested in Ancient Stoicism or the study of divine providence in a philosophical setting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032049083
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/29/2024
Series:	Issues in Ancient Philosophy
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Bernard Collette is Associate Professor of Ancient Philosophy at Laval University, Quebec, Canada. He is the co-editor of L’esprit critique dans l’Antiquité I. Critique et licence dans l’Antiquité (2019), and the author of books and articles on Neoplatonism and Stoicism. He is editor at the Laval théologique et philosophique.

Table of Contents

1. Zeno on Providence 2. Cleanthes on Providence 3. Chrysippus’ On Providence 4. Panaetius on Providence 5. Posidonius and Cleomedes on Providence 6. Seneca on Providence 7. Epictetus on Providence 8. Marcus Aurelius on Providence 9. Providence and Self-Preservation 10. From Cosmic Oikeiôsis to Personal Providence

Editorial Reviews

"This book addresses an important issue in Stoicism. As it is not a monolithic school, the author shows the progression of issues related to providence and underlines the evolution of Stoicism. Stoic philosophy might seem at first to have many contradictions regarding this topic, but the survey puts the progression of the ideas in perspective... an essential work for getting a better understanding of the important concept of providence." - Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"In devoting a monograph to the topic of providence, [Collette] indisputably contributes to the relatively recent renewal of the field of Stoic cosmology and theology... C[ollette]’s book has the merit of offering a large overview of the topic of providence and of the network of related issues." - The Classical Review

From the Publisher