Publication details
Příručka • Pestrá stoa
| Title in English | Handbook • Colorful stoa |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2021 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Epictetus' Handbook, supplemented by fragments of his Discourses, contains the principles of Stoic philosophy and presents the contours of its worldview. The human mind, according to the Stoics, must be able to distinguish how far the divine influence extends from what is within the reach of each person's actions. The third part of this book presents some of the ideas of the earliest representatives of this school of philosophy, such as Zeno and Chrysippus, framed here by the approving comments of Seneca, elsewhere by the caustic remarks of Cicero. The primary purpose of the book is not to present a coherent exposition of Stoic doctrine, but to be a useful aid to its readers and to help them to progress towards beatitude. That is to say, to a life of complete freedom and peace, free from pain as well as unreasonable pleasure. In order to achieve such progress in his reader, Epictetus presents not only a strict Stoic doctrine, but also small steps, subtle and insightful advice and mental exercises based on keen observation of the human psyche. |