EPICTETUS
On life’s diverse truths
Stoicism and Stoic Teachings
~
By Vimal Kodai ~
Epictetus, Philosopher who is reckoned for having widespread Stoic teachings, was born in the approximate vicinity of the year of 55 AD and he passed away in 135 AD. He came to be in the world in the land nowadays known as Pamukkale (Western Turkey). During the time of his birth, that part of Europe was known as Hierapolis, Phrygia. A slave, from the time of his coming into existence, he later arrived in Rome to serve Epaphroditus (a wealthy man who was himself freed by Emperor Nero—in person). Under the right guidance of his Stoic master, Musonius Rufus, Epictetus acquired the basic knowledge of how to handle life in tangible but disciplinary orders. In his turn, after being freed by Emperor Nero, Epictetus initiated Stoic schooling establishments in Rome. The aftermath of the suicide of Emperor Nero, allowed Emperor Domitian’s rule which did not favour Stoicism’s insightful teachings in Italy; thus, Epictetus was denied further residential status in Rome. In about 89 AD, Epictetus made his way away from Rome to find himself in Nicopolis in Epirus (nowadays underlying the north-west part of Greece). Accompanied by other philosophers who were learned in the same Stoic foundations, Epictetus founded new schooling facilities which would widely promote Stoic teachings. The highlighting climax of this philosopher’s life, would transition into a solid marking point of Stoicism as well. Epictetus’s teachings became effective in various ways as its enriched knowledge set exemplary realities on all human life’s journey’s worth.
- What is Stoicism?
- What is Stoic knowledge?
The answer to these two questions derive from 8 main stems; these are namely:
- Rationality
- Kinship
with God
- Volition
- Value
- Emotional
judgement
- Appropriate
other-concern
- Self-cultivation
and autonomy
- Mind and body
Each of these
8 basic stems expand elaborately in order to convey more routed principles that
portray a broad, elaborate, systemic and enriched knowledge, known a Stoic
knowledge.
Epictetus
brought forward thoughts that were filled with ideologies deriving from truth
and deep within facts. Significant thinking patterns of his, came into being as
he captured their very essences from the experiences that he had gathered during
the course of his journey through life’s challenging times.
Some of his teachings are hereby phrased to display their main contents as per their understood meanings:
- Some
things are in our control and others are not.
“Some
things are in our control, while others are not.” Quote that derived from
Epictetus’s in-depth insights, impacts the many faces of humankind by its
realistic but down-to-earth wordings.
-
Things that dwell within our direct reach through our
actions (the display of our attitude and behavior), are under our total
control. The characteristic traits denoting our actions are: opinion, pursuit,
desire and aversion.
-
Things that are not within our direct reach (or
control) are: the body, property, reputation and command.
- Men
are disturbed, not by things, but by principles and notions which they
form concerning things.
“Men is his
own pain-inflictor. He is likewise, his own happiness-seeker and
he is his own happiness-acquirer. He reasons with principles that
caricature the way of living his life in an orderly manner. If these principles
are misguided, his life results in falsehood and flawlessness; but if he is led
by productive principles that are implemented righteously, he finds wonderful
reasons to accept life as it is. These principles, if shaped in the misleading
way – propel him to lead a falsely guided lifestyle. Thus, he becomes disturbed
and confused. If his principles are well-set, well-shaped and well-directed;
men will lead himself towards a prospective pathway.”
- Don’t
demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they
do happen, and you will go on well.
“This sentence
exemplifies the realities of life by opening humans’ minds to the idea of being
content with life’s various circumstances—as they occur (in their true format). By
disallowing forceful actions to happen in every situation, and, by preventing
improper words from flowing out of the mouth; one can rest reassured that deeds
can be accomplished prospectively.”
Bibliography:
- Epictetus, (135 C.E), The Enchiridion: Translated by Elizabeth Carter; Retrieved from Worldwide Web on the 20th June, 2021, from website by The Internet Classic Archive with URL: http://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html
- Graver Margaret, (2008),
Epictetus; Retrieved from Worldwide Web on the 20th June, 2021,
From Stanford World Online Encyclopaedia with URL: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epictetus/
- Mark
J.J, (2011), Epictetus; Retrieved from
Worldwide Web on the 20th June 2021 on website by World History
Encyclopaedia with URL: https://www.worldhistory.org/Epictetus/
- Seddon H. Keith, (1999), Epictetus (55 – 135 C.E); Retrieved from Worldwide Web on the20th June 2021, From Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy with URL: https://iep.utm.edu/epictetu/
