The Lazy Argument attempts to steer one away from Stoicism. It attacks determinism by showing that it makes nonsense of planning, deliberation, and effort. The Stoic response is to reject the soundness of the argument. The Lazy Argument does not show the incompatibility of Fate and ordinary goal-directed behaviour, thus, one need not choose between them. This chapter examines this argument, Chrysippus’ reply, and then discusses what the argument succeeds in showing.
Keywords: Lazy Argument, Stoics, Stoicism, philosophy, determinism, Chrysippus