Epictetus’s 'Encheiridion'

A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics

Scott Aikin, William O. Stephens (Autoren)

Buch | Softcover

320 Seiten

2023
Bloomsbury Academic (Verlag)
978-1-350-00951-6 (ISBN)

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For anyone approaching the Encheiridion of Epictetus for the first time, this book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding a complex philosophical text. Including a full translation and clear explanatory commentaries, Epictetus’s ‘Encheiridion’ introduces readers to a hugely influential work of Stoic philosophy. Scott Aikin and William O. Stephens unravel the core themes of Stoic ethics found within this ancient handbook. Focusing on the core themes of self-control, seeing things as they are, living according to nature, owning one’s roles and fulfilling the responsibilities that those roles entail, the authors elucidate the extremely challenging ideas in Epictetus’s brisk chapters. Divided into five distinct parts, this book provides readers with:

- A new translation of the Encheiridion by William O. Stephens.
- A new introduction to ancient Stoicism, its system of concepts, and the ancient figures who shaped it.
- A fresh treatment of the notorious and counter-intuitive ‘Stoic paradoxes’.
- An accessible overview of the origin and historical context of the Encheiridion.
- Detailed commentaries on each chapter of the Encheiridion that clarify its recurring themes and highlight their interconnections.
- Careful attention to the presentation of the arguments embedded in Epictetus’s aphoristic style.
- A thoughtful discussion of serious criticisms of Epictetus’s Stoicism and replies to these objections.

Written with clarity and authority, Epictetus’s ‘Encheiridion’ provides a foundation from which readers can understand this important text and engage with the fundamental questions of Stoic philosophy and ethics. This guide will aid teachers of Epictetus, students encountering Stoicism for the first time, and readers seeking a greater understanding of Stoic ethics.

Scott Aikin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University, USA. William O. Stephens is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University, USA.

Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations

Part One. An Introduction to Ancient Stoicism
1.1 Stoicism before the Stoa
1.2 The Stoics
1.3 The System
1.3.1 Logic
1.3.2 Physics
1.3.3 Ethics
1.4 Six Core Themes
1.4.1 Self-control
1.4.2 See things as they are
1.4.3 Live according to nature
1.4.4 Know your roles, do your duties
1.4.5 Virtue depends on knowing
1.4.6 Stoicism as aspirationalism
1.5 The Stoic Paradoxes
1.5.1 Virtue is the only good
1.5.2 Virtue suffices for happiness
1.5.3 All good actions are equal, as are all bad actions
1.5.4 Only the sage is sane
1.5.5 Only the sage is free
1.5.6 Only the sage is rich
1.5.7 Only the sage is beautiful

Part Two. The Encheiridion and Its Context
2.1 Epictetus and His Philosophical Influence
2.2 The Historical Influence of the Encheiridion

Part Three. Translation of the Handbook of Epictetus

Part Four. Encheiridion Chapter Commentaries

Part Five. Critical Responses to Epictetus’s Stoicism and Replies
5.1 The Inaction Problem
5.2 Reply to the Inaction Problem
5.3 The Ruin Problem
5.4 Reply to the Ruin Problem
5.5 The Practicability Problem
5.6 Reply to the Practicability Problem
5.7 The System Problem
5.8 Reply to the System Problem
5.9 The Scepticism Problem
5.10 Replies to the Scepticism Problem
5.11 The Weaponization Problem
5.12 Reply to the Weaponization Problem

Notes
References
Index of subjects and names

Erscheinungsdatum	21.12.2023
Verlagsort	London
Sprache	englisch
Maße	156 x 234 mm
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Ethik
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie Altertum / Antike
ISBN-10	1-350-00951-2 / 1350009512
ISBN-13	978-1-350-00951-6 / 9781350009516
Zustand	Neuware