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Simplicius: On Epictetus Handbook 27-53 Charles Brittain

Simplicius: On Epictetus Handbook 27-53 By Charles Brittain

Simplicius: On Epictetus Handbook 27-53 by Charles Brittain


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Summary

The Enchiridion or Handbook of the first-century AD Stoic Epictetus was used as an ethical treatise both in Christian monasteries and by the sixth-century pagan Neoplatonist Simplicius. This is the second volume of a translation of Simplicius' commentary on Epictetus' Handbook.

Simplicius: On Epictetus Handbook 27-53 Summary

Simplicius: On Epictetus Handbook 27-53 by Charles Brittain

The Enchiridion or Handbook of the first-century AD Stoic Epictetus was used as an ethical treatise both in Christian monasteries and by the sixth-century pagan Neoplatonist Simplicius. Simplicius chose it for beginners, rather than Aristotle's Ethics, because it presupposed no knowledge of logic. We thus get a fascinating chance to see how a pagan Neoplatonist transformed Stoic ideas. The text was relevant to Simplicius because he too, like Epictetus, was teaching beginners how to take the first steps towards eradicating emotion, although he is unlike Epictetus in thinking that they should give up public life rather than acquiesce, if public office is denied them. Simplicius starts from a Platonic definition of the person as rational soul, not body, ignoring Epictetus' further whittling down of himself to just his will or policy decisions. He selects certain topics for special attention in chapters 1, 8, 27 and 31. Things are up to us, despite Fate. Our sufferings are not evil, but providential attempts to turn us from the body. Evil is found only in the human soul. But evil is parasitic (Proclus' term) on good. The gods exist, are provident, and cannot be bought off.With nearly all of this the Stoics would agree, but for quite different reasons, and their own distinctions and definitions are to a large extent ignored. This translation of the Handbook is published in two volumes. This is the second volume, covering chapters 27-53; the first covers chapters 1-26.

About Charles Brittain

Tad Brennan is Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy, Yale University, USA. Charles Brittain is Associate Professor at the Department of Classics, Cornell University, USA.

Table of Contents

Preface Introduction Textual Emendations TRANSLATION Notes Bibliography English-Greek Glossary Greek-English Index Index of Passages Cited Subject Index

Additional information

NLS9781472557360
9781472557360
1472557360
Simplicius: On Epictetus Handbook 27-53 by Charles Brittain
New
Paperback
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
2014-04-10
240
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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