Series |
Lexis Supplements
Edited book | Paradeigmata voluntatis 2
Chapter | Arcesilao e la teoria stoica dell’azione
Arcesilao e la teoria stoica dell’azione
Abstract
This article delves into the ancient philosophical dispute between Arcesilaus, the head of the Platonic Academy in 268‑266 BC, and the Stoic theory of action. Plutarch’s Adversus Colotem serves as the primary source for this debate. Colotes of Lampsacus, an Epicurean philosopher, claimed that Arcesilaus’ epistemological scepticism rendered life and action impossible. Plutarch, on the other hand, defends Arcesilaus and argues that the sceptical phase of the Academy (from Arcesilaus to Philo of Larissa) did not disrupt the history of the Platonic school. Plutarch explains that, although Arcesilaus criticized the Stoic theory of action according to Zeno of Citium and believed that assent was useless, he still believed that action based on representations and impulse was possible. In response to Arcesilaus, the Stoic Chrysippus of Soli later identified impulse and assent.
Submitted: Sept. 10, 2024 | Accepted: Oct. 1, 2024 | Published March 13, 2025 | Language: it
Keywords Arcesilaus • Stoicism • Action • Plutarch • Epistemology
Copyright © 2025 Francesco Verde. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/978-88-6969-902-3/003
