He especially praises the philosophies and philosophers, Socrates and Diogenes, but criticizes and mocks Epicurus. His conception of a human being itself requires the individual being defined in relation to the city, and then to the “universal city” (the kingdom of god). A lot of his philosophy is also based on an understanding of theism that falls pretty flat nowadays. But if everyone in his environment close themselves off from the world, he can then do what he wants.

In my totally dilettantish opinion, after only 1 reading – I found the Discourses rambling and repetitive, and Epictetus too much of a scold – but with interruptions of actual genius.We think they do, but this is a mistake, which can only be detected through the use of a well-trained reasonable mind.

If we take off these masks of fear and pain and suffering, what we can find is our own emancipation. However, individuals are responsible for their own actions, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. There are things that are under our control and things that are not - focusing on the former is the key to freedom, virtue and happiness. Although each philosopher in the long Stoic tradition undoubtedly has his own peculiar insights to offer and his own unique perspective on the common doctrines, I hereby decide to quit my quest into it.But I have to serve God; and for that reason, I stay here and put up with having to wash this poor wretched body of mine, and feed it, and shelter it. Epictetus forms one part of the triad of classic stoic authors, along with Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. CE) was a Greek freedman and quite an articulate Stoic philosopher, although these Discourses where written and published by his student Arrian. A prominent figure among the Stoic school of thought, Epictetus deals with several subjects such as the correct use of impressions, desire and aversion, the importance of logic in governing one's own life, and many others. Without this training in the art of life, it is only the existence of slaves which one should expect.

If you consider yourself as a human being and as a part of some whole, it may be in the interest of the whole that you should now fall ill, now embark on a voyage and be exposed to danger, now suffer poverty, and perhaps even die before your time. If everyone is entirely responsible for their own peace of mind, and if circumstances play no role in human happiness, then there is no reason to help anybody or to try to improve the world: “If anyone suffers misfortune, remember that he suffers it through his own fault, since God created all human beings to enjoy happiness, to enjoy peace of mind. But if one thinks this is determinism in a fancy jacket, one's wrong - Stoicism recognizes individual freedom for human beings, as opposed to plants and animals. Never identify yourself as a philosopher or speak much to non-philosophers about your principles; act in line with those principles. Abusing a blind person just because they're blind is obviously terrible, and so is abusing an ignorant person because they're ignorant, or an immoral person because they're immoral.Again, Epictetus mentions his oil lamp being stolen, and pitying the thief who did this, since now he has forfeited his honesty as a person. Through the concept of dichotomy of control, the Stoic learns to use reason to manage desire, handle adversity, and build character. The modern use of the word “stoic”—someone imperturbable, unemotional, unfeeling—is not entirely accurate as regards the original stoics.