Discourses, Book 1

by Epictetus, Robert F. Dobbin (Translator)

Dobbin presents a new translation of the Greek and the first ever commentary on the work in English. General background information on Epictetus, Stoicism, the writing style employed in the text, and the historical context surrounding the work is provided in this volume.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics

280 pages, Hardcover

First published May 13, 2014

About the author

Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He was probably born a slave at Hierapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey), and lived in Rome until his exile to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece, where he lived most of his life and died. His teachings were noted down and published by his pupil Arrian in his Discourses. Philosophy, he taught, is a way of life and not just a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all external events are determined by fate, and are thus beyond our control, but we can accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately. Individuals, however, are responsible for their own actions which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Suffering arises from trying to control what is uncontrollable, or from neglecting what is within our power. As part of the universal city that is the universe, human beings have a duty of care to all fellow humans. The person who followed these precepts would achieve happiness.

Other language versions:
Epictète
Epícteto
Epiktet

Reviews

[Achilleas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Διαύγεια.

«...Αυτή, λοιπόν, είναι η αρχή της φιλοσοφίας: Να αντιλαμβανόμαστε την κατάσταση στην οποία βρίσκεται το ηγεμονικό μέρος μας της ίδιας της ψυχής μας. Όταν θα έχουμε αναγνωρίσει ότι βρίσκεται σε κακή κατάσταση, δεν θα θέλουμε να το χρησιμοποιούμε για τα σπουδαία πράγματα. Αλλά, σήμερα, αυτοί που δεν μπορούν να καταπιούν μια μπουκιά, αγοράζουν ολόκληρη πραγματεία και πάνε να τη φάνε. Γι' αυτό, ή ξερνάνε ή βαρυστομαχιάζουν. Μετά έρχονται οι κολικοί, τα συνάχια και οι πυρετοί. Πρώτα θα έπρεπε να σκέφτονταν τις δυνατότητές τους. Στη θεωρία, βέβαια, είναι εύκολο να ελέγξεις τον άσχετο, στα ζητήματα της ζωής, όμως, κανείς δεν προσφέρει τον εαυτό του στον έλεγχο, ενώ μισούμε κιόλας αυτόν που μας εξετάζει. Ο Σωκράτης, όμως, έλεγε «ζωή ανερεύνητη να μην τη ζούμε»...»

[Nick Mavroidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest philosophers of all time. Highly recommended.