Crinis

Crinis (Greek: Κρὶνις) was a Stoic philosopher who lived in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, who was contemporary with and likely a pupil of Archedemus of Tarsus.^[1] He seems to have founded an independent school within the boundaries of the Stoic system, since the authority of his followers (οἱ περὶ Κρίνιν) is sometimes quoted.^[2] He is mentioned also by Arrian.^[3][2]

Crinis
Κρὶνις
Born	c. 2nd century BC
Died	c. 1st century BC
Cause of death	Fright
Era	Hellenistic philosophy
School	Stoicism
Language	Ancient Greek
Main interests	Logic

According to Diogenes Laërtius,^[4] Crinias was interested in Logic, and wrote a book called Dialectic Art, (Ancient Greek: διαλεκτικὴ τέχνη), from which Diogenes quotes:^[5]

An argument, as Crinis says, is that which is composed of a lemma or major premise, an assumption or minor premise, and a conclusion; as for instance this,

"If it is day, it is light;"
"But it is day, therefore it is light."
For the lemma, or major premise, is, "If it is day, it is light."
The assumption, or minor premise, is, "It is day."
The conclusion follows, "Therefore it is light."

^[6]

The Discourses of Epictetus mentions his connection to Archedemus and suggests that he died from fright:

Go away now and read Archedemus; then if a mouse should leap down and make a noise, you are a dead man. For such a death awaits you as it did - what was the man's name? - Crinis; and he too was proud, because he understood Archedemus.^[7]

The Suda speaks of a Crinis who was a priest of Apollo, and may be the same as the one mentioned in a scholion.^[8][2]

Notes

1. Curnow, Trevor (22 June 2006). The Philosophers of the Ancient World: An A-Z Guide. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-84966-770-8. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
2. Smith 1870.
3. Diss. Epict. 3.2.
4. (7.62, 68, 76)
5. 7.71
6. Diogenes Laërtius, The Lives of Eminent Philosophers, vii Archived 2014-10-30 at the Wayback Machine.
7. Epictetus, Discourses, 3.2.15
8. ad Hom. Il. 1.396

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Crinias". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
•  Laërtius, Diogenes (1925). "The Stoics: Zeno" . Lives of the Eminent Philosophers. Vol. 2:7. Translated by Hicks, Robert Drew (Two volume ed.). Loeb Classical Library.