L'IMPLICATURA DI CICERONE -- H. P. GRICE (M. A. LIT. HUM.) E LA STORIA DELLA FILOSOFIA ROMANA ANTICA

Ancient philosophy after Aristotle is marked by the emergence of wider philosophical movements, like Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Skepticism, the so-called Hellenistic schools of thought. 

Their inquiry focused on fields like ethics, physics, logic, and epistemology. 

This period began with the death of Alexander the Great and had its main impact until the end of the Roman Republic. ^[37][38

The Epicureans accepted and re-fined Democritus's idea that nature is composed of indivisible atoms. 

In the field of ethics, the Epicureans see pleasure as the highest good but reject the idea that luxury and indulging in sensory pleasures lead to long-term happiness. 

Instead, the Epicureans argue that a nuanced form of hedonism, a simple life characterized by tranquillity, is the best way to achieve this.^[39][40][41]

The Stoics denied this hedonistic outlook.

The Stoics see desires and aversions as obstacles to their goal of living in tune with reason and virtue. 

In order to transcend or overcome these desires, they advocated self-mastery and an attitude of indifference.^[42]

The Sceptics explore the question of how judgments and opinions affect well-being. 

They claim that dogmatic beliefs cause emotional disturbances. 

They recommended that people suspend judgments for issues where certainty is not possible. 

According to some sceptics, this applies to all beliefs and any form of knowledge is impossible.^[43]

The school of Neoplatonism belongs to the later part of the ancient period. 

It started in the 3rd century CE and had its peak period until the 6th century CE. 

It inherited many ideas from Plato and Aristotle and transformed them in creative ways. 

Its core idea is that there is a transcendent and ineffable entity responsible for all existence. 

It is simply called "the One" or "the Good". 

The Intellect emerges from the One and contemplates it. 

This in turn gives rise to the Soul, which generates the material world. 

Influential Neoplatonists were Plotinus (204–270 CE) and his student Porphyry (234–305 CE).^[44]