In Epictetus’ Enchiridion‚ Epictetus claims that people are upset not by the things themselves but by their judgements about the things. This is because people are not in control of what happens to them‚ but they are in control of their own response. Therefore‚ the only things in life worth worrying about are those that are within the individual’s control. Worrying about anything else is destined to end in disappointment or sorrow. Things outside of our control cannot bring us happiness. Possessions
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Epictetus’ handbook‚ Enchiridion‚ was compiled by his disciple Arrian and first published in 125 AD. In this writing‚ Epictetus offers Stoic advice on how one can live well given the circumstances within one’s world. Epictetus firmly believes in the strategy of detachment as a means to survive; to not project any intrinsic value onto things outside one’s control and to be dependent on oneself for one’s own happiness. As Dr. Enns mentions in lecture‚ Epictetus proposes coping strategies for one’s
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accepting external events and by concerning himself only with how he chooses to act upon what is within his power. The sage and philosopher Epictetus taught Stoicism in first-century Rome‚ and although none of his original writings have survived‚ much of his teachings were recorded by his student Arrian. The Enchiridion‚ or Handbook‚ is a concise manual on how Epictetus thought one should live. The basic idea underlying the practical enactment of stoicism can be summarized in a phrase: “Do not seek to
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In “ The Enchiridion‚” Epictetus argues ideas in which people fail to understand the difference between the things in one has in control and what surrounds them. Perhaps one of the strongest claims that Epictetus gives is that one lacks to distinguishing the two points the external world and the internal world. Epictetus believes that many do not notice what is in more in value and they expect more than what is able to take in control‚ which makes them unhappy. In this paper‚ I will argue that Epictetus
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Commandments from Epictetus ❖ Thou shalt honor the blessings that the Lord gives you. ❖ Thou shalt live with only necessities‚ and avoid luxuries. ❖ Thou shalt not attempt to control things that you are powerless to. ❖ Thou shalt avoid boasting about one’s life and journeys. ❖ Thou shalt not hold grudges against those who do wrong against you. There are many things in this life that we cannot control‚ and according to the famous philosopher‚ Epictetus‚ we are to accept
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The Difficulty in Living Life as a Stoic Life as a Stoic is one focused on improving the world. In more specific terms‚ Epictetus believed the purpose of moral philosophy was to help show people the way to lead better lives. A life as a Stoic philosopher is therefore an ideal one for members of a society‚ for its focus is on improvement for all. However‚ for the actual individual‚ leading the life of a Stoic philosopher is difficult‚ for it commands that the individual subordinate his own ends
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“The Enchiridion‚” by Epictetus is a very interesting piece. This piece emphasizes the different aspects of our lives that we do have control of contrasted to the parts of our lives that we do not have any control of. “Things in our control are opinion‚ pursuit‚ desire‚ aversion‚ and‚ in a word‚ whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body‚ property‚ reputation‚ command‚ and‚ in one word‚ whatever are not our own actions.” (Epictetus 1) This quote lists and incorporates some
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god of monotheism. While there is little doubt that Epictetus views god as all powerful and all good‚ I will argue that his texts also indicate that Epictetus views god as a pantheistic god possessing none of the defining characteristics of a personal god. There is a significant difference between what Epictetus means by being all good and what monotheism defines as all good. What monotheism defines as all good is perfect morals while Epictetus defines the true nature of good as intelligence‚ knowledge
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theories‚ I found myself intrigued by their different beliefs. I was fascinated by the Epicurean pleasure filled and painless seeking lifestyle. I was also enticed by the teleological beliefs of the Stoics. But there were ideas that Epicurus and Epictetus believed in that led me to criticize both philosophies‚ the Epicurean views about injustice and death and the Stoic view of duty in particular. One of the first criticisms I noticed when reading Epicurus was his view of injustice. Epicureans
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A good number of philosophers stressed that happiness is essential to the human existence‚ they see the sense of human living in triumph of different contentment. Condemning Epicureans‚ Stoics proposed another view and their concept included ethical and moral laws that denied the leading role of happiness but established the principle of logic and rational mind in the life attitude. They prove that sufferings and pain can be used for reaching important knowledge and‚ what is more‚ are the normal
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