Stoic AV Series

Visual

“Stoic AV Series” is a series of audiovisual experiments by Stan Herben. In this series I explore the connections between ancient philosophy, sound and visuals.

Wisdom, courage, justice and temperance, the four cardinal virtues according to the Stoics. Virtue is the sole good, so it is extremely important. This is what it means to have a good character and to live a good life.

Phronesis (φρόνησις), ancient Greek for "wisdom". Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight. Wisdom is associated with attributes such as unbiased judgment, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, self-transcendence and non-attachment.

Andreia (ανδρεία), ancient Greek for "courage". Courage is the ability to exert ones will in the face of risk. Aristotle said that the highest risk was death and that the most courageous man was the one that acted fearlessly in the face of death. "Sometimes even to live is an act of courage" - Seneca.

Dikaiosyne (δικαιοσύνη), ancient Greek for "justice". There is no Stoic virtue more important than justice, because it influences all the others. Marcus Aurelius himself said that justice is “the source of all the other virtues.” Stoics throughout history have pushed and advocated for justice, oftentimes at great personal risk and with great courage, in order to do great things and defend the people and ideas that they loved.

More of this series will follow. Scroll down for more.