Case Study

Life as a Stoic is one focused on improving the world. In more specific terms, Epictetus believed the purpose of moral philosophy was to help show people the way to lead better lives. A life as a Stoic philosopher is therefore an ideal one for members of a society, for its focus is on improvement for all. However, for the actual individual, leading the life of a Stoic philosopher is difficult, for it commands that the individual subordinate his own ends to the ends and needs of his society. As such, life as a Stoic philosopher demands sacrifice. Thus, it is clear that the more Stoic philosophers in a society, the better. Yet, because it's so difficult to live as a Stoic, regardless of how desirable such a life may be, doing so is impossible for many in anything but a small degree.

For Epictetus, philosophy is not an interesting pastime or even a particular body of knowledge, but it is a way of life. The keystone of Stoicism is that ings are up to us and some things are not up to us. Our opinions are up to us, and our impulses, desires, aversions–in short, whatever is our own doing. Our bodies are not up to us, nor are our possessions, our reputations, or our public offices, or, that is, whatever is not our own doing. (Epictetus 1, page 11)

Essentially, Epictetus believes that human beings are vulnerable and, therefore, are frequently hurt. Because most of the time one can't do anything to stop the things that ail him, the only possible (and worthwhile) thing to do, in Epictetus' mind, is to use those things that one can control to make the best out of the situation. For example, if someone hits another person's