Epictetus, Discourses | Subjecting Desires to Other People | 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 making one's own desires subject to other people - a bad idea from a Stoic perspective. Doing so makes one's own happiness or tranquility dependent upon the desires, actions, choices, or beliefs of other people.

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#Stoicism #Epictetus #philosophy

[ChristopherEdwardsstoicmime]

"Can being in a persons favor make us into a better person?" WOW! I needed to hear that! :D

[chwh]

"But I can have you beheaded." "Well said!" I love this line! I cracked up the first time I read it! So good!!

[bilizard]

Ok I think I'm starting grasp this stuff. It's taken a few videos and watching them a few times but I'm starting to get it. Once again thank you Dr Sadler.

Placing your ability for happiness into anything outside your control is a recipe for disaster according to the Stoic philosophy. Happiness can only come from within; from your own judgements and views of a given situation. Your beliefs, and interpretations are what matters where your happiness is concerned. You possess the power and free will to maintain your own happiness even in an undesirable situation. "They can't hurt you unless you let them". In short... Do not attach your happiness to the capricious attitudes, opinions, behavior, or approval of others. For these things are outside/external to your control.

[budcat]

Somehow this made me think of the Twilight Zone episode 'The Obsolete Man' with Burgess Meredith as Romney Wordsworth. Interesting that they used that surname.
The World Is Too Much With Us
By  William Wordsworth 
The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;— Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon; The winds that will be howling at all hours, And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers; For this, for everything, we are out of tune; It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

[MikeARP]

Thanks for posting. I really enjoy your videos!

[Anekantavad]

This reminds me of the "role model trap" whereby one's teacher/guru/instructor takes on (deliberately/willingly or not) the role of something of a higher authority, or better person. I practice yoga, and this seems rampant in the yoga millieu, somewhat understandably. The student truly wants the (supposed) truths contained in the teacher's lessons, and this generates a subconscious admiration. I suppose this is common to all such dynamics, as one wants to learn what one has somehow decided that someone else (the teacher) knows, and this creates a sense of dependency.

I suppose this is why some people are drawn to flawed teachers (ie the drunk, cynical prof or the pastor who lives in a palace etc). I prefer "human" teachers, as this keeps things on more of an even keel. I guess one has to remind oneself that a teacher may be "superior" in terms of what they can offer you to meet your particular needs, but in other ways they are just another person.

This, for me at least, is easier to say than to do. We all apparently have a touch of guruitis.

:-)

[greendeane]

I wonder about stoicism when I see someone in an orange jumper, on his knees, with an ISIS knife at his throat... I am also keenly aware that none of them make it difficult for their killer (or perhaps those who do can't be used for propaganda purposes.)