Epictetus's Beliefs Held By Arrian

In The Manual of Epictetus, Arrian described the beliefs held by Epictetus and the Stoics. Arrian explained the aspect of power in terms of thoughts, impulses, actions and our will, in addition to existing things not in our power. Arrian also discussed behavior and actions to a great extent, focusing on attitude, compassion, your character, (bodily) limitations, and obedient piety. The Stoics according identified a happy life, according to Arrian, through contemplation of nature without pride, loss, envy, hate and the desire for control in the face of persecution or troubled times. Not to mention, Arrian stated that the Stoics were more concerned with the mind and intellectual thought than the flesh, disregarding bodily health as a fundamental
aspect of life (although important to a degree).
In addition, the Stoics also attributed social behavior to intelligence in terms of politeness, acceptance and tolerance of opinion, speech, and pleasure. Generally, the Stoics and Epictetus viewed life as intellectually based, holding not material objects, bodily actions and control in honor but rather power (and the control of it), behavior, our will, and intelligence. Epictetus and the Stoics believe in living according to Nature with a interconnected character, will, and act of power and are not concerned with death but rather the judgement that comes from it. The Stoics also seek to live a virtuous life free of all passions that are harmful while being respectful, obedient to authority and the gods, and mindful of your body.  The Stoics believe that it is in their power to discover the will of Nature from unimportant matters, thus defining experience and life based on what matters to you and what by nature is “free, unhindered [and] untrammeled” (Arrian 133). To accomplish this discovery of will, Epictetus envisions the Stoics as constantly discerning the nature and manner of objects and people (Arrian 134). The Stoics also desire to live without worry, according to Arrian, letting their will be that things happen as they ought and not as they desire themselves, sacrificing their will for the will of Nature to run its due course
(135). In this way, the Stoics lived tranquilly as they have all of Nature to live on and all things to live for. Progress in the lives of Stoics also involved the surrendering of their will and desires for control, and this involves the acceptance of things as they are (Arrian 135, 136). The character of the Stoic philosopher as according to Epictetus via Arrian should be as that of an actor’s in a play, and in this regard Stoics should respect their life and yearn to understand Nature, whom is the play-writer and should underlie their life (137).
The actions of the Stoics should lead to peace as well, therefore they are to keep unpleasant speech, thoughts and behaviors at bay (Arrian 137). Arrian states that as Stoic philosophers act in this manner, they will be subject to persecution because their beliefs and way of life are contrary to the Greek culture of pleasure and indulgence (137). The Stoics are also to see death indifferently and the Greek culture as undesired, as Arrian infers, meanwhile creating a simple, low standard of life, which embraces poverty through rejecting materialism and maintains a proper character (137). In addition, the continuation of life and their character within the Greek culture is also important. Pride is a trait that is shunned in Stoic philosophy, and thus Stoics are to humbly accept any position in society, whether it be due to social constructs such as one’s profession, race, age, or gender, or by Nature’s choice (Arrian 138). While they have low standard of living in the material sense, Epictetus believes the inner, intellectual life is one that is fostered by virtue. Epictetus understands all things to be inherently good, not evil, thus implying that it is the actions of people that make things evil (Arrian 139). In
Greek culture, most necessities of life such as food, shelter and income were exaggerated to the point where the luxurious state of each became the norm. And since Stoics’ lives are insofar as countercultural, they are similarly to “submit to discipline” of their body and “enter on the athlete’s course” as directed by a trainer. without complaining (Arrian 146). Arrian explains that Epictetus believed piety and obedience to the gods was necessary, so that they were “to have right opinions about them- that they exist, and that they govern the universe well and justly” (141). Stoics are also to act without complaining or assuming blame, for their life is as it is because of the gods that events unfolded as they did, being “fulfilled by the highest mind” (Arrian 141). And regardless, the gods’ minds and wills cannot be understood, as they are transcendent and have “conception of good and evil,” which man does not. Arrian and Epictetus addressed the response to things that are harmful and displeasing, that this response is natural but negative, displeasing to others and thus should be not apart of the Stoic’s behavior. The Stoics and Epictetus have philosophical values and metaphysics of a person that are realistic to me and familiar in the sense of my Catholic religion, so I agree with their thoughts and beliefs. I think they accurately capture the best of Plato and Epicurean philosophy. Epicurean philosophy discusses separation from the outside world to aim for peace and inner tranquility, which I agree with to the point of aiming for peace and sometimes taking time to relax (like a retreat) instead of disregarding family and the world, and I believe the Stoics capture this frequent relaxation properly. The Stoics also regard faith and piety to gods as necessary, and when evaluating this I think it is important because a belief in the transcendent belief provides comfort, understanding, and support in the unknown of the future and of our lives. I also think the behavior outlined by Epictetus is fitting for any person who desires to live a happy life full of virtue, not just one of a Stoic philosopher. The fostering of the intellectual life over the physical is also crucial in life, especially in today’s culture of technology, and I think the Stoics were correct in all of their goals of livelihood and desires of the soul, to live rightly without living lavishly. With regard to living lavishly, pride and envy was never beneficial to anyone, despite any spirituality (or lack thereof) that gives it a negative demeanor of the soul by condemning it. Ultimately, living without worry but with peace is the goal of our modern lives, for happiness is what all desire and peace brings happiness. Never was anyone truly happy with a crammed schedule or constant workload; relaxation and peace provides time for reflection, contemplation, and time away from the busy, bustling world that gives not just fleeting happiness but true, everlasting joy. Not to mention, my life as a seminarian is seen as countercultural as the lives of the Stoics were. In many ways, our lifestyles are not far off. From set times of contemplation, education, proper virtuous recreation, brotherhood to a simple lifestyle of obedience to our formational program, I am living for the same joy and peace that the Stoics were in their time.