PHI 1104 Lecture : Study Questions - Jan. 24

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 1104
• Professor: Sophie Rietti

Document Summary

How does epictetus distinguish between what is your own and what is not. Things that are our own: opinion, choice, desire, aversion everything that is our own doing, things that are by nature free, unhindered, unimpeded. Things that are not our own: our body, our possessions, our reputations, our offices everything that is not our own doing, things that are weak, slavish, hindered and up to others. This is essential to being happy because if you regard things that are up to others as your own, you will be hampered, you will suffer, you will get upset and you will blame both the gods and men. What, according to epictetus, should be our attitude towards what is not. You should not occupy yourself with them with modest effort, but you must give up some things altogether and postpone others for the present moment. When you are about to undertake some action, remind yourself what kind of action it is.