Stoic Sam !zQ8ry.WSMk started this discussion 8 years ago#70,699
I was reading Epictetus the other day, and I found a nice summary of the teachings of Epictetus, which can be found here.
My thoughts regarding the section arguing the weaknesses of Stoic viewpoint:
A weakness of this argument is that it excludes the possibility that some kinds of emotional attachment may be good. Epictetus argues that if we become emotionally attached to other people, then we may become anxious and concerned about their well-being, and thus we may not be able to attain serenity and tranquility of mind. However, he fails to recognize that some kinds of emotion may be good and yet may not be within our power to control. He also fails to recognize that some kinds of moral virtue, such as faithfulness, loyalty, and devotion may be forms of emotional attachment which may not be within our power to control. He maintains that if emotional attachments hinder us from attaining serenity and tranquility of mind, then we should simply reject or discard them.
If an attachment, logical or emotional, is beyond our control, then it could be considered neither good nor evil. It would merely be an impression of a reality. The problem is that this can lead to unpreferred externals in your life, and so by avoiding them you can devote yourself more faithfully to living in harmony with Nature.
Yes. An emotional attachment, for example devotion to your parents, can cause you to be concerned about things outside your control, for example the death of your parents.
Anonymous B replied with this 8 years ago, 21 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#852,477
@previous (Stoic Sam !zQ8ry.WSMk)
How are these attachments more beyond our control than anything else?
Stoic Sam !zQ8ry.WSMk (OP) replied with this 8 years ago, 24 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#852,491