Explain Philosophy as Philosophic Religious discipline; 
Epictetus (50-130 CE); (Aurelius (121-180 CE)

I. Socrates' Influence

II. Sceptics

 [okay to mention Sceptics here like Pyrrho (died 275 BCE & Sextus Empiricus (c. 200 CE) Discuss the lure of skepticism, the story of Apelles 352 Jones); and the need for scepticism in the history of philosophy. Mention Popkin's book on the History of Scepticism

III.  Stoics

A.   Socrates' influence again.  Life story/teachings issue [ Zeno of Citium (c. 344-262 BCE, Zeno the founder of Cynic school; explain); Seneca (1-65 CE); Epictetus; and Aurelius)].  Then 


Focus on Epictetus:
1. Issue of control (1st paragraph, Handbook)

2. The role of interpretation and directness; discuss Leo and our friend who needed a bath; introduce him with the state hospital mug.

3. The jug (#3, p. 280 ) & the cup (#26, 283). Epictetus' advice to me when I lose my favorite cup; the non-egoistic point of view . .

4. Contemporary views of Albert Ellis and the school of rational emotive therapy; the advantages and disadvantages of a life without extremes. Leo and the weeping client. conclude with some ideas about on the value of this school of philosophy.
 

Michael Kagan
Le Moyne College
March 30, 2001