Seneca, Epictetus, And Mill's Definition Of Freedom

The basic dictionary definition of freedom is the power to act without hindrance. That basic definition doesn’t have much to offer to the ideas of virtue, which is exemplary high moral standards. However, after studying how men such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Mill view freedom, the definition of freedom can be expound upon. The expansion on the definition of freedom leads to a stronger relation between freedom and virtue. Seneca viewed freedom as a person’s capacity to withdraw from earthly pleasures and temptations. Likewise, a person with high moral values would also not be too worried about the pleasures the world has to offer, their goals do not revolve around fickle goals or rewards. Either Seneca or a virtuous person would find joy …show more content…
Likewise, a virtuous person isn’t hindered by addictions to drugs (cocaine, heroin, etc.), pornography, or sex. Also, virtuous people act respect the idea that their actions and attitude are just about the only things a human being can control. People who exemplify Epictetus’ version of freedom have high moral standards. Mill expounds on that an individual’s freedom should not impede on the freedom of others. Mill would find favor in people who do not go around being a nuisance or menace to society. Virtuous people do not impede of the freedom of others, they do not steal from other people, have sex with another person’s significant other, murder other human beings, or any other action of the sort. These philosophers shed light onto the definition of a more complex freedom and its relationship to virtue. Freedom and virtue are closely related. Whether the freedom comes from the withdraw of earthly pleasures, the freedom from addictions, or not impeding on other’s freedoms, a person seeking virtue will do their best to adhere to these ideas of freedom. This is because freedom provides people the opportunity to become virtuous people and virtuous people follow the guidelines that allow freedom to