A Breviate of a Discourse, Showing That the Stoi
In "A Breviate of a Discourse, Showing That the Stoics Speak Greater Improbabilities than the Poets," Plutarch critiques the Stoic philosophers by comparing their claims to the fantastical tales of poets. He argues that the Stoics' portrayal of their ideal wise man is more improbable than the mythical figures in poetry. Plutarch contrasts the Stoics' wise man, who remains unaffected by physical and emotional suffering, with Pindar's Caeneus, who is invulnerable but still bound by certain limitations. He highlights the Stoics' belief that a person can transform from a villain to a virtuous sage instantaneously, a change more miraculous than the rejuvenation of Euripides's Iolaus. Plutarch also points out the Stoics' claim that their wise man, despite physical deformities, is considered beautiful due to his virtue, a notion he finds more absurd than the magical transformation of Ulysses by Minerva. Furthermore, he criticizes the Stoics for asserting that their wise man, though materially poor, is rich and kingly in virtue, yet still relies on others for basic needs. Plutarch concludes that the Stoics' philosophical assertions are more fantastical and less credible than the poetic myths they criticize.
By Plutarch · First published 1603 · Genre: Philosophical Satire, Philosophical Essay, Literary Criticism · 985 words
First lines
1. Pindar's Caeneus hath been taken to task by several, being improbably feigned, impenetrable by steel and impassible in his body, and so
Descending into hell without a wound, And with sound foot parting in two the ground.
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A Breviate of a Discourse, Showing That the Stoics Speak Greater Improbabilities than the Poets is listed on Textopian as an essay by Plutarch, dated 1603 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: Plutarch
- Date: 1603 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Satire, Philosophical Essay, Literary Criticism, Classical Rhetoric, Parody
- Length: 985 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for A Breviate of a Discourse, Showing That the Stoics Speak Greater Improbabilities than the Poets by Plutarch
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Philosophical Satire — The work critiques philosophical assertions in an ironic, humorous manner that exposes the absurdity of the Stoic claims.
- Philosophical Essay — It employs a structured discourse to examine the veracity of both Stoic and poetic narratives, typical of classical philosophical essays.
- Literary Criticism — The text evaluates and contrasts the claims of Stoics and poets, engaging in analysis of narrative credibility and artistic exaggeration.
- Classical Rhetoric — The work uses rhetorical devices and classical forms of argumentation to convey its critique, linking its style to ancient rhetorical traditions.
Tags
ancient philosophy · stoicism · poetic criticism · logical fallacies · rhetorical analysis · classical literature · argumentation · paradox · philosophical satire · debate · literary criticism · cultural commentary
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- Of Brotherly Love (1898)
- Wherefore the Pythian Priestess Now Ceases to Deliver Her Oracles in Verse (100)
- Plutarch's Natural Questions (100)
- Plutarch's Symposiacs (120)
- Of Moral Virtue (1898)
- All works by Plutarch