On Being Dragged Down by Harmful Relationships (Epictetus – Discourses 4:2)

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Synopsis: In today’s episode we examine another example of a harsh truth taught by Epictetus in (what I deem to be) too harsh of a manner. The points he makes are compelling but he frames them in a way that risks alienating his audience with his absolutism. Are matters as black-and-white as he makes them seem? Is there a middle ground? And if there isn’t, is there another way he could craft his message to increase the chances that his listeners will implement it successfully, or is this really the only way? Most interesting to me is the question of whether this type of teaching – which we’ve seen before – is a stylistic quirk of Epictetus, or whether it is inherent in his brand of Stoicism.

Sources:
- Epictetus, Discourses 4:2
- Musonius Rufus, quoting Theognis of Megara Lectures 11.53.21-22
- Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Deios 6:1
- I Melachim 18:21
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Stoic texts:
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
Letters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)
The Discourses of Epictetus
The Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus
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