Note 97 — Chapter X · ETHICS. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE STOIC ETHICS. ABSTRACT THEORY OF MORALITY.

(2) Idea of virtue. (a) Positive and negative aspects. Virtue is thus negatively defined as the being exempt from emotions, as apathy.97 There is also a positive side to supplement this negative view. Looking at the matter of virtuous action, this may be said to consist in subordination to the general law of nature; looking at its manner, in rational self-control.98 Virtue is exclusively a matter of reason99—in short, it is nothing else but rightly ordered reason.100 To speak more explicitly, virtue contains in itself two elements—one practical, the other speculative. At the root, and as a condition of all rational conduct, lies, according to the Stoics, right knowledge. On this point they are at one with the well-known Socratic doctrine, and with the teaching of the Cynics and Megarians. Natural virtue, or virtue acquired only by exercise, they reject altogether. After the manner of Socrates, they define virtue as knowledge, vice as ignorance,101 and insist on the necessity of learning virtue.102 Even the avowed enemy of all speculative enquiry, Aristo of Chios, was on this point at one with the rest of the School. All virtues were by him referred to wisdom,103 and, consequently, he denied the claims of most to be virtues at all.104