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
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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 …show more content…
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
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 …show more content…
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