Epictetus Case Study

Decent Essays
Epictetus has good view of wisdom in this particular case. I like how he described whatever in life is taken away from you, somehow you will get it back. His thought of wisdom make sense, I shouldn’t complain that I should have taken some classes last summer, then I wouldn’t have so much pressure this summer by taking twenty credits. If it didn’t happen that time, I got another chance in this summer to take these classes and graduate.

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The case Against Athenogenes was a dispute over an agreement for the sale of slaves. The individuals involved in the case are Epicrates, a citizen of Athens and Athenogenes, a metic from Egypt. Epicrates was the plantiff, he brought the case against Athenogenes, the defendant. This was a private suit covering the damages caused by Athenogenes in the agreement. A hetaira named Antigone helped complete the agreement between Epicrates and Athenogenes (5).…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Likewise, I realize that opportunities will be lost or gained despite what path I take. Information was essential to Odysseus making the right decision, as it shall be when I am forced by time to give my final answer as to what my future will…

    • 1081 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    God is someone many people believe in, but they are some people who start losing faith in him as life goes on. People often lose faith in God for different reasons, while everyone’s believe in God can be put in a different way, some people however tend to keep believing him and never dare to think of losing faith in him. One could say the way some people loyalty is dedicated to God is always something rare, there is not a solid explanation of why some people just do not lost faith in God after facing so many hardships in life. There are people who would blame God for every problem they face in life, and there are others who do not place their blames on him.…

    • 772 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    "The Odyssey" is an epic poem that centers around Odysseus, an epic war hero lost at sea after the Trojan war. Odysseus faces many trials & tribulations while he tries to find his way back home. He is faced with many challenges, but he overcomes them as any other epic hero. Odysseus rightfully deserves the label of epic hero because he has superhuman strength and intelligence, he travels and goes on a journey, and he has a major flaw.…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When it comes to the suffering of fear of meeting hated enemies, Epictetus would advise one to take pride in themselves and be content with what they have in their lives. When one gains wealth in the beginning it is astonishing, however as they try to protect and upsurge their possessions they unavoidably attract enemies and negativity, inevitably bringing never-ending decay and demolition. If one remains indebted for their positon in life, they will not desire possessions, thus they will avoid inviting enemies. Epictetus would advise one to be content with their status in life. I am certain that he would enforce the idea of contentment, due to his constant mention of eliminating desires, and staying detached.…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Epictetus Research Paper

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages

    If someone were to have an accident and lose an eye they should accept that it was meant to be and according to fate. The standard way to perceive this would be anger and a wondering of why this has happened. Epictetus taught that every negative event does not have to be viewed a certain way. You do not have to look at it with a negative point of view. You can instead look at it as what fate had in store for you.…

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Why Do Empires Fall

    • 962 Words
    • 4 Pages

    if only the once great empires of the past had understood this iconic proverb. Perhaps then, empires such as Rome would not have fallen. The common misconception is that they fell due to moral decrepitude, but in reality, it came down to their irresponsible use of funds to support the many wars they participated in with the Germanic tribes and others. They taxed the Roman people to the point of poverty in attempts to sustain their power. Their lack of economic knowledge and the eagerness for war was their ultimate downfall.…

    • 962 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In his Letters to Herodotus, Epicurus’ material outlook assumes that all things are made out of atoms, an argument that he extends to the soul. He raises the point that the soul is material and capable of sensation, and these sensations build out thoughts; however, this assumption tends to categorize human thoughts and limit originality and creativity. In the text, Epicurus explains that the soul is a structure that is material and primarily used for sensation; these sensations become responsible for our thoughts and reason. The soul’s relationship to the body is important in this respect.…

    • 946 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In life you learn many life lessons. Some help you some destroy you. In the poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus learns many life lessons on his journey home to Ithica. A couple of the life lessons Odysseus learns and many people today learn deal with first instinct decisions and patience. Although going with your first instinct may seem like the right thing to do, it can also result in trouble, Odysseus and I seem to choose our first instinct mostly with many different decisions.…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The ethical theories of both Aristotle and Epictetus, laid out in their books the Nicomachean Ethics and the Enchiridion, respectively, offer humanity insight into the most effective ways to achieve happiness and to exhibit virtue. Aristotle’s approach to happiness is that it must be looked at as the end to a means not as a means to an end. He feels that happiness should be viewed as the highest good within life. Although Epictetus agrees that happiness is the highest attainable good, he believes that the source of humanity’s misery is people’s inability to differentiate between what they can control and what they cannot. While both philosopher’s theories emphasize the importance of happiness and virtue in a person’s life, Epictetus’ view…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Epictetus’ discourse begins by discussing the things that are in our power in addition to the things that are not. He provides examples that demonstrates the possibility of confusing the two. He explains, “How far does the grammatic art possess the contemplating power? As far as forming a judgment about what is written and spoken. And how far music?…

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Oedipus the King has remained a contentiously debated literary work for a multitude of reasons. Arguably, the most important debate encompassing this work relates to the relationship between how individuals exercise free-will and how fate, and sometimes the Gods, influence their actions and their lives. In an article of literary criticism, entitled Tampering With the Future: Apollo 's Prophecy in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex by Christopher Nassaar, Nassaar focuses on how Oedipus fulfilled Apollo 's prophecy by doing everything he could to avoid it. In Nassar 's mind, Oedipus made the mistake of overreacting to Apollo’s prophecy as he “panics and rushes into catastrophe” (Nassaar 148). Oedipus realizes the extent to which his fate is horrendous,…

    • 769 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Knowledge and Suffering While some people associate an abundance of knowledge with satisfaction and dominance, this does not apply to all situations. Surprisingly, in Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King, the opposite prevails. Oedipus’ lack and pursuit of knowledge serve to bring suffering upon his immediate family members, emphasizing that wisdom does not always lead to happiness and success.…

    • 825 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    As my first semester almost ends, there is a plethora of aspects that played a major role in how much stress and pressure I have encountered. These aspects have created negative and positive outlooks on college and life, which is evident in my attitude as the semester closes. I have experienced so much pressure, and anxiety from one semester because of my perfectionism. I am constantly checking Moodle and MyClaflin to be on top of things. From this semester, I have reviewed various syllabuses and schedules of assignments, which has all become a blur.…

    • 1020 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Herodotus and Thucydides are the first Greek historians credited for documenting history. Not only are Herodotus and Thucydides credited for writing the first accounts of ancient Greek history, but they each shaped the future of historical writing in their own unique ways. The Peloponnesian and Persian wars were both important conflicts that focused on independence. Herodotus earned the designation “The Father of History” because before his writings, the Greeks had no word for history in terms of writing a narration of past events in prose.…

    • 1418 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays