EleutherIA — Defined term

Heimarmene (Stoic Fate)

εἱμαρμένη

Hellenistic

Heimarmene (fate) names the Stoic order that links events in an everlasting causal sequence governed by divine reason. Chrysippus's definition as a natural and inviolable ordering of the whole is transmitted by Aulus Gellius, Noctes Atticae 7.2.3 (= SVF II.1000), not SVF II.916. Stoic attempts to preserve responsibility are transmitted through different arguments: Cicero distinguishes causal roles, Gellius appeals to the agent's constitution, and Cicero also reports co-fated outcomes. Whether these materials amount to a successful or unified compatibilism remains disputed.

Open this record in Scholar mode

Source snapshot seo-source-sha256-51705b13ef303079a5960029d6bf45a566ca04087e345b86aaa3ec979e44d8d6 · 2026-08-24