Socratic Influence on the Stoic Epictetus

[摘要] The primary aim of this project is to examine the nature of Socrates;; influence on the Stoic Epictetus. While Plato;;s Socrates certainly influenced Epictetus, the Socrates portrayed in Xenophon;;s Memorabilia plays an even larger role in shaping the Socrates Epictetus seeks to imitate. This claim will be substantiated by drawing close parallels between passages in Epictetus;; Discourses and Handbook and Xenophon;;s Memorabilia . The discussion here demonstrates that Epictetus;; methodology is a reflection of Xenophon;;s approach, characterized by committed doctrines and proscriptive advice giving, rather than the searching dialectical approach ending with negative results found in Plato;;s Socratic dialogues. I begin by examining A.A. Long;;s claim that it is Plato;;s Socrates that Epictetus emulates, and providing a critical analysis of this argument. I then argue that the methodology of Epicetetus;; Discourses , as well as the content and subject matter, are inspired by Xenophon;;s Socrates.

[发布机构] Rice University

[效力级别] Religion