☀️Cleanthes Course
Updated: Sep 5
Free Course by Everything IFS Academy | Stoicism Series
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☀️Welcome to the Cleanthes Course for Everyday People
Cleanthes lived in Athens more than two thousand years ago, from around 330 to 230 BC, and he is one of the most unlikely figures in the whole history of philosophy. He came to the city a poor former boxer with almost nothing to his name, supported himself by hauling water through the night, and rose to become the second head of the Stoic school, the man who kept Stoicism alive after its founder died. What drove him was one steadying conviction: that the entire universe is a single living, rational order, and that the work of a lifetime is to bring yourself willingly into step with it.
This course teaches Cleanthes on his own terms, pure to himself and his school, with no other thinkers or modern methods mixed in. It is written in plain, down-to-earth language that anyone can follow, whether you have read the Stoics for years or this is your very first step toward them. It is not a dry academic survey, and it is not motivational filler. It is Cleanthes' actual ideas, taught clearly enough that you can understand them and carry them into how you see your own life, with each module offering real teaching, true-to-life examples, and an honest account of both his brilliance and his contradictions. And every lesson ends with a simple practice, so the ideas do not just stay on the page.
This course is self-paced, with no tests, exams, or homework. Feel free to go through it in order, or jump around to whatever interests you most.
Cleanthes learned the Stoic path from its founder, Zeno of Citium, and if you would like to meet his teacher next, the Zeno of Citium course is the natural place to go.
Course outline
Click any module below to begin.
Orientation
Core Teachings
Closing
Disclaimer:
Everything IFS Academy is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the IFS Institute. While we strive for accuracy, errors can occur, and users are encouraged to cross-reference critical information. These courses present the ideas of historical Stoic philosophers for educational and self-reflection purposes only. They describe what these thinkers taught and argued and do not constitute an endorsement of any philosophical position, nor do they constitute religious instruction or professional advice of any kind. They do not constitute therapy, mental health treatment, clinical training, or crisis support, and they should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care. This course also recounts events from the historical record of Cleanthes' life and death, including accounts of fasting and self-imposed hardship. These are presented as biography and history only. Nothing in this course endorses, recommends, or offers guidance on fasting, food restriction, or any practice that could harm your health, and none of it is medical, dietary, or end-of-life advice.
Crisis Support: 🚨
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, feel unsafe, feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or feel too overwhelmed to safely use self-directed practices, please pause this material and reach out for immediate support. Contact a licensed mental health professional, call or text 988 in the U.S. or Canada, or use your local emergency or crisis resources.
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