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Single Idea 23342
[filed under theme 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 1. Nature of Free Will
]
Full Idea
He is free for whom all things happen in accordance with his choice, and whom no one can constrain.
Gist of Idea
Freedom is acting by choice, with no constraint possible
Source
Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 1.12.09)
Book Ref
Epictetus: 'The Discourses, The Handbook, Fragments', ed/tr. Gill,C [Everyman 1995], p.33
A Reaction
Presumable this means that constraint is absolutely impossible, even by Zeus, and not just contingent possibility, when no one sees me raid the fridge.
Related Idea
Idea 23338
You can fetter my leg, but not even Zeus can control my power of choice [Epictetus]
The
45 ideas
from Epictetus
23325
|
Epictetus developed a notion of will as the source of our responsibility
[Epictetus, by Frede,M]
|
23324
|
In the Discourses choice [prohairesis] defines our character and behaviour
[Epictetus, by Frede,M]
|
23331
|
Not even Zeus can control what I choose
[Epictetus]
|
23338
|
You can fetter my leg, but not even Zeus can control my power of choice
[Epictetus]
|
23339
|
I will die as becomes a person returning what he does not own
[Epictetus]
|
23340
|
We consist of animal bodies and god-like reason
[Epictetus]
|
23329
|
We make progress when we improve and naturalise our choices, asserting their freedom
[Epictetus]
|
20873
|
Tragedies are versified sufferings of people impressed by externals
[Epictetus]
|
23341
|
God created humans as spectators and interpreters of God's works
[Epictetus]
|
23330
|
Freedom is making all things happen by choice, without constraint
[Epictetus]
|
23342
|
Freedom is acting by choice, with no constraint possible
[Epictetus]
|
23343
|
Because reason performs all analysis, we should analyse reason - but how?
[Epictetus]
|
22604
|
Punishing a criminal for moral ignorance is the same as punishing someone for being blind
[Epictetus]
|
23344
|
Reason itself must be compounded from some of our impressions
[Epictetus]
|
23328
|
The essences of good and evil are in dispositions to choose
[Epictetus]
|
23345
|
Don't be frightened of pain or death; only be frightened of fearing them
[Epictetus]
|
23346
|
A person is as naturally a part of a city as a foot is part of the body
[Epictetus]
|
23347
|
If I know I am fated to be ill, I should want to be ill
[Epictetus]
|
23348
|
Both god and the good bring benefits, so their true nature seems to be the same
[Epictetus]
|
23349
|
Asses are born to carry human burdens, not as ends in themselves
[Epictetus]
|
23350
|
A wise philosophers uses reason to cautiously judge each aspect of living
[Epictetus]
|
23351
|
We are citizens of the universe, and principal parts of it
[Epictetus]
|
20874
|
A citizen is committed to ignore private advantage, and seek communal good
[Epictetus]
|
23352
|
A citizen should only consider what is good for the whole society
[Epictetus]
|
20875
|
If we could foresee the future, we should collaborate with disease and death
[Epictetus]
|
23353
|
We have a natural sense of honour
[Epictetus]
|
23354
|
If someone harms themselves in harming me, then I harm myself by returning the harm
[Epictetus]
|
20876
|
Philosophy investigates the causes of disagreements, and seeks a standard for settling them
[Epictetus]
|
23355
|
The task of philosophy is to establish standards, as occurs with weights and measures
[Epictetus]
|
23356
|
Self-evidence is most obvious when people who deny a proposition still have to use it
[Epictetus]
|
23357
|
Knowledge of what is good leads to love; only the wise, who distinguish good from evil, can love
[Epictetus]
|
23358
|
Every species produces exceptional beings, and we must just accept their nature
[Epictetus]
|
23332
|
Zeus gave me a nature which is free (like himself) from all compulsion
[Epictetus]
|
23359
|
We can't believe apparent falsehoods, or deny apparent truths
[Epictetus]
|
23360
|
Each of the four elements in you is entirely scattered after death
[Epictetus]
|
23361
|
Health is only a good when it is used well
[Epictetus]
|
23363
|
The evil for everything is what is contrary to its nature
[Epictetus]
|
23362
|
All human ills result from failure to apply preconceptions to particular cases
[Epictetus]
|
21394
|
Philosophy is knowing each logos, how they fit together, and what follows from them
[Epictetus]
|
23364
|
Homer wrote to show that the most blessed men can be ruined by poor judgement
[Epictetus]
|
23367
|
Even pointing a finger should only be done for a reason
[Epictetus]
|
4022
|
Epictetus says we should console others for misfortune, but not be moved by pity
[Epictetus, by Taylor,C]
|
23365
|
If someone is weeping, you should sympathise and help, but not share his suffering
[Epictetus]
|
23368
|
Perhaps we should persuade culprits that their punishment is just?
[Epictetus]
|
23366
|
We see nature's will in the ways all people are the same
[Epictetus]
|