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Title: The Discourses of Epictetus (Everyman Paperback Classics) by Epictetus, Christopher Gill, Robin Hard ISBN: 0-460-87312-1 Publisher: Everymans Library Pub. Date: 01 March, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $8.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.83 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Not What I Thought I Knew
Comment: A couple pseudo quotes, not from Epictetus. "Give me the strength to endure what I cannot change, the power to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference between the two." "Who cares? We'll all die someday anyway."
Depending on the particular chapter, and admittedly, on the mood of the reader, either of these two statements might characterize the basic philosophy of Stoicism as defined by Epictetus and described by his student, Arrian. Somewhat like the relationship between Socrates and Plato, Epictetus did not write down his teachings, but his eager student Arrian did so, recounting from memory the many conversations of Epictetus with various listeners.
Perhaps this is why there is such a fragmented style. The text has an annoying tendency to suddenly veer off into unrelated and incomprehensible topics. Many references are made in passing to people and events, presumably either contemporary figures or mythological personages. A (very) knowledgeable reader might be able to follow these allusions, but I don't know for sure. Fortunately, it is usually possible to at least figure out the point of each chapter from the text, although the chapter titles do make at least that much clear regardless. One exception to the elusive allusions is Socrates, about whom most people probably know something. But unfortunately, Epictetus so often points out how Socrates lived and what he said that it comes across as argument by authority. Other figures are treated in this way as well. Admittedly, the text is based on real conversations with real listeners, for whom such arguments may have been very persuasive. It's something worth noting here.
Regarding Stoicism itself, I was disappointed. The point of this philosophy is that one should not concern one's self about things outside one's own power to change. Fair enough, I suppose. But does he really think that many people are, or should be, willing to ignore as unimportant such things as being unjustly imprisoned, whipped, exiled, killed, and so forth? Obviously he did. But the problem I had was that he made no allowance for trying to change one's own circumstances. The defeatism was deafening at times, leading to my second pseudo quote above. Under this form of Stoicism, I cannot see how or why a practitioner would every attempt to improve his own life. Of course, Epictetus himself would probably say that this is no route to true happiness, but I think it is. There are, of course, circumstances where this mind set would be quite useful, and the much-quoted use of Stoic principles by Vice-Admiral James Stockdale to survive his long experience as a POW in Vietnam is an excellent example. I would argue that only when someone is truly powerless to change bad circumstances for the better would Stoicism really make sense as a philosophy for living. During the Hellenistic period in the Mediterranean, when Stoicism and other new philosophies emerged, many people lived very difficult and probably unhappy lives. Epictetus was himself a slave for at least part of his life. In this context it makes sense. But despite the claim on the back cover, I do not recognize what I've read here as being "virtually the unofficial religion of the Roman world." There is wisdom to be found in this work, but you'll need to read carefully and critically (actually, this is always good advice) to find it.
Rating: 5
Summary: Epictetus Rocks!
Comment: I've downloaded every word of the great Epictetus and mess around with my own "book" of his sayings and discourses. His voice reaches me from across 2000 years in a way that the sillier religions can't. I'm proud to call mysell and Epictetan, father than just a Stoic since the Big E had such a witty, down home approach to the Big Question --- How Can I have a contented life.
E rocks. Buy the books. Check him out on the net. Sit at the feet of one of the few gurus in history who would kick you for sitting at his feet.
Rating: 5
Summary: Stoic Philosophy 101
Comment: If you are interested in Stoic Philosophy this is the book that you should read. Epictetus offers a concise guide on the stoic philosophy which allowed him to endure a life of slavery and hardship during the reign of Nero. Does he answer the big questions? Well i can only say that to me he did not answer the question on how to be truly happy (well actually he did I just have trouble accepting his answer), but he does answer the question the question - how do we avoid disappointed in our life, how do we avoid being sad.
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Title: Handbook of Epictetus by Nicholas P. White ISBN: 0915145693 Publisher: Hackett Pub Co Inc Pub. Date: 01 June, 1983 List Price(USD): $3.95 |
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Title: Enchiridion by Epictetus, George Long ISBN: 0879757035 Publisher: Prometheus Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 1955 List Price(USD): $7.00 |
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Title: Meditations (Modern Library Classics) by MARCUS AURELIUS, GREGORY HAYS ISBN: 0812968255 Publisher: Modern Library Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
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Title: Stoic Philosophy of Seneca Essays and Letters by Seneca ISBN: 0393004597 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: 01 September, 1968 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic Guide to Life by A. A. Long ISBN: 0199268851 Publisher: Oxford University Press Pub. Date: 01 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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