Analysis Of Conquests By Epictetus

Life is a series of conquests and compromises. Battles are fought between countries, groups of people, or even within the self. Control is the goal of these battles, the state of having power over other people or even just power over oneself. After battling is ceased, a winner is declared in most cases, making them the ones who managed a conquest. This aura of superiority glorifies and gratifies its host. Compromise is a shared conquest and defeat of the parties involved in the battle. Participating in the compromise, each party gives and takes as they feel is equal, in the end the terms are all agreed upon. The feud between stoicism and skepticism is a battle in many aspects, each side attains its own conquests by convincing persons of their …show more content…
His claim to readers is if they follow the rules and guidelines from the scenarios, they would achieve power and be freed from suffering. In a few of these scenarios, Epictetus reveals stoic advice that is highly reasonable and would actually apply to life well, others however seem extreme and unbelievable. The first example of advice that I would accept is from the first scenario in the book. Epictetus states in the first sentence “some things are up to us and some are not up to us,” in this he is conveying to the reader that we must accept what we have, such as control over our mind, but not our bodies (Epictetus, 11). In this same scenario, I also believe that some of the advice given is a step too far from reason. I find Epictetus hard to believe when he states that “our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions…” (Epictetus, 11). This quote is saying that the higher power we believe in, for myself it is God, has total control over what we do with our bodies and what we possess in life. As I stated I believe in God as my higher power, and partially I do agree that he controls humans, animals, and nature. Although I believe that through our thoughts, opinions, and desires we are driven to move for things, such as an animal hunting for food, or a human driving a car. In relation to possessions, I agree with Epictetus that we must not attach ourselves …show more content…
He states, “if you kiss your child or wife, say that you are kissing a human being, for when it dies you will not be upset” (Epictetus, 12). Through this quote Epictetus is spreading the view that we must see all humans as the same and not attach to one more than another, so that we will not suffer grief after the death of one, because they are so easily replaced. I strongly disagree with this way to live. I believe that relationships with other humans are a necessity to happiness and the joys that the company we seek from others outweighs the sadness we feel when they are gone. Only in these relationships, in my opinion, do we learn another person’s tricks and tips for life, and through the combinations of relationships we create our own identity. For example, the relationship one may have with their mother could teach them compassion, organization, and patience. From the father one may learn strength, courage, and leadership. Friends, the people who we choose to love, teach us laughter, faith, and trust. By learning these traits and many more, we gauge how we want our lives to be and accept these traits to fit ourselves. In summary, by forming close relationships to the people we admire, we find ourselves and who we want to be. This view of control is grounded in a more skeptic point of