person
Diogenes of Babylon
Diogenes the Stoic
also: Diogene Stoico, Dio<ge>ne
Stoic philosopher and head of the Stoa, named by Cicero (after Theophrastus) as having inquired subtly into the magistracies and the practical theory of the state.
Reading notes
- On the Ends of Good and Evil §3.33 I, for my part, agree with Diogenes
Diogenes of Babylon (c. 230-150/140 BC), head of the Stoic school and teacher of Panaetius, here cited for his definition of the good as 'that which is by nature complete' (natura absolutum). Cato adopts this definition over slightly differing Stoic formulations.
- On the Ends of Good and Evil §3.48 in Diogenes' judgment
Diogenes of Babylon again, here on riches: they merely 'guide' toward pleasure and health, like money guiding the arts, but cannot themselves constitute or sustain virtue. The point reinforces that wealth is a 'preferred indifferent,' not a good.
- On Duties §3.51 Diogenes of Babylon
A head of the Stoa (c. 230-150/140 BC) and one of the three philosophers sent on the famous embassy to Rome in 155 BC. He and his pupil Antipater debate the duties of a seller throughout the casuistry of Book 3.