Epictetus, Discourses | On Preconceptions (Proleipseis) | Philosophy Core Concepts

This is a video in my new Core Concepts series -- designed to provide students and lifelong learners a brief discussion focused on one main concept from a classic philosophical text and thinker.

This video focuses on book 1 of Epictetus' Discourses, specifically on his discussion(s) of the role of preconceptions or general notions (proleipseis). These are concepts that all human beings have, according to Epictetus, but are at first in a confused form, so that although they do not conflict in themselves, they may in their applications to specific cases. They become clarified through studying and practicing Stoic philosophy.

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[theonethatprotectsyoufromt]

Thanks a lot, Dr.Sadler! I didn't quite get this one when I read it, but it kinda clicked after your explanation.

[Brhrhfjfjkfngbfndoo]

To not fall into perturbation you need correct judgment about good and evil. The correct judgment is that nothing is good or bad external.

But how did the stoics solidify this preconception? Is there a way of reason they use? Or thinking? Or judging? Or logic?

[Anekantavad]

I wonder what this sort of thing does to the three traditional rules of logic. Rather than "debunking" them, it seems to point out their limitations when applied to perception itself?

[MrMarktrumble]

proleipsis ...what term does Plato use for "innate ideas" . His transcendent ideas (edios) as eternal would predate any of each of us who use and discover it...and proleipseis would then be the stoic use of this, without having a metaphysic of transcendent ideas. but I tell you, the more I think about stoicism, the more I am reminded of Kant's Critique of pure reason, ( transcendental aesthetic= stoic test your perceptions... = with the finale of reason turning on and criticising itself, and totality is a ghost of reason, and knowledge of the in itself is not possible!). That's a big assertion. "Preconceptions are common to all people, and one preconception does not contradict another. " Did he identify them all? List them? ( how many... identify the finite number of preconceptions. If its 4 it is not 5. How does he know all people have them?  I think there are people who sincerely think we do not all have the same preconceptions. what is "holiness" ...what Otto described it as "aweful" and "fascinating", or the Jews call kabod? Is this what the Greeks meant? The Romans? is prolepsis a rhetorical device used to assume the principle you want to use and prove(which of these come first?), or is it real, and intrinsic to human nature? If we have proleipsis, then each one of us would be born potentially good, and would have to actualize this potentiality.12;14. Philosophy is seeking after truth. Truth is the basis of competent action, and ultimately, of happiness. "has it been fitted into a system" no contradictions within, no contradictions without, and personal integrity. "we have to work in order to make them complete, and we do that by applying them to particular cases"  Assuming the principle exists, it is in application of the principle that identifies and clarifies the principle,   and its relations to other principles,   and when this is done, then it would be complete. hmmm..."orthosyne" setting straight...leads to orthodoxy? We need to know what nature really is.