The Role Ethics of Epictetus

Stoicism in Ordinary Life

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ancient, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Cover of the book The Role Ethics of Epictetus by Brian E. Johnson, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Brian E. Johnson ISBN: 9780739179680
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: December 4, 2013
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Brian E. Johnson
ISBN: 9780739179680
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: December 4, 2013
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The Role Ethics of Epictetus: Stoicism in Ordinary Life offers an original interpretation of Epictetus’s ethics and how he bases his ethics on an appeal to our roles in life. Epictetus believes that every individual is the bearer of many roles from sibling to citizen and that individuals are morally good if they fulfill the obligations associated with these roles. To understand Epictetus’s account of roles, scholars have often mistakenly looked backwards to Cicero’s earlier and more schematic account of roles. However, for Cicero, roles are merely a tool in the service of the virtue of decorum where decorum is one of the four canonical virtues—prudence, justice, greatness of spirit, and decorum. In contrast, Epictetus sets those virtues aside and offers roles as a complete ethical theory that does the work of those canonical virtues.

This book elucidates the unique features of Epictetus’s role based ethics. First, individuals have many roles and these roles are substantial enough that they may conflict. Second, although Epictetus is often taken to have only a sparse theory of appropriate action (or “duty” in older translations), Brian E. Johnson examines the criteria by which appropriate action is measured in order to demonstrate that Epictetus does have an account of appropriate action and that it is grounded in his account of roles. Finally, Epictetus downplays the Stoic ideal of the sage and replaces that figure with role-bound individuals who are supposed to inspire each of us to meet the challenges of our own roles. Instead of looking to sages, who have a perfect knowledge and action that we must imitate, Epictetus’s new ethical heroes are those we do not imitate in terms of knowledge or action, but simply in the way they approach the challenges of their roles.

The analysis found in The Role Ethics of Epictetus will be of great value both to students and scholars of ancient philosophy, ethics and moral philosophy, history, classics, and theology, and to the educated reader who admires Epictetus.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Role Ethics of Epictetus: Stoicism in Ordinary Life offers an original interpretation of Epictetus’s ethics and how he bases his ethics on an appeal to our roles in life. Epictetus believes that every individual is the bearer of many roles from sibling to citizen and that individuals are morally good if they fulfill the obligations associated with these roles. To understand Epictetus’s account of roles, scholars have often mistakenly looked backwards to Cicero’s earlier and more schematic account of roles. However, for Cicero, roles are merely a tool in the service of the virtue of decorum where decorum is one of the four canonical virtues—prudence, justice, greatness of spirit, and decorum. In contrast, Epictetus sets those virtues aside and offers roles as a complete ethical theory that does the work of those canonical virtues.

This book elucidates the unique features of Epictetus’s role based ethics. First, individuals have many roles and these roles are substantial enough that they may conflict. Second, although Epictetus is often taken to have only a sparse theory of appropriate action (or “duty” in older translations), Brian E. Johnson examines the criteria by which appropriate action is measured in order to demonstrate that Epictetus does have an account of appropriate action and that it is grounded in his account of roles. Finally, Epictetus downplays the Stoic ideal of the sage and replaces that figure with role-bound individuals who are supposed to inspire each of us to meet the challenges of our own roles. Instead of looking to sages, who have a perfect knowledge and action that we must imitate, Epictetus’s new ethical heroes are those we do not imitate in terms of knowledge or action, but simply in the way they approach the challenges of their roles.

The analysis found in The Role Ethics of Epictetus will be of great value both to students and scholars of ancient philosophy, ethics and moral philosophy, history, classics, and theology, and to the educated reader who admires Epictetus.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Godliness and Greed by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book The Social Order of Postconflict Transformation in Cambodia by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book The American Philosopher by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Finite Transcendence by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Refining Nature in Modern Japanese Literature by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book The Harvard-Yenching Institute and Cultural Engineering by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Democratic Destiny and the District of Columbia by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Buddhist Learning in South Asia by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Superheroes and Critical Animal Studies by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book The Iroquois and the Athenians by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book For the Honor of Our Fatherland by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Early Modern Skepticism and the Origins of Toleration by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Locating Queerness in the Media by Brian E. Johnson
Cover of the book Hegel's Critique of Modernity by Brian E. Johnson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy