A Target is Not Set Up to be Missed: Handbook of Epictetus, sections 16-30

Probably the most interesting aspect of Stoic philosophy is its capability to adjust one’s points of view about a certain situation in order to deal with various circumstances from a different perspective. “’What weighs down on this man is not what has happened, but his judgment about it.’” (p. 15). This reminds me of Einstein’s theory of relativity, which states that when space and time come close to the speed of light, they become relative. Both of these principles stress the ideal that nothing in life is certain, but up to us to evaluate. Circumstances in life are as good or as bad as we want to make them seem. So it is always better, like Epictetus mentions, to look at the bright side of things and take advantage of every situation to grow as an individual. Everything in life has a purpose, we just need to learn to discover it. “Just as a target is not set up to be missed, in the same way nothing bad by nature happens in the world.” (p.19). Whether we want to reap the benefits of a circumstance is only up to us.

Apart from stressing uncertainty and relativity, the Handbook of Epictetus emphasizes human insignificance and vulnerability. The text places us humans at the mercy of a superior force that acts coherently upon individuals, who are unable to change the situation or defy the occurrences that nature places in their lives. “Remember that you are an actor in a play, which is as the playwright wants it to be… What is yours is to play the assigned part well.” (p. 16). We, humans, are also expected to concentrate on our own welfare and accept our fates by living our lives the best way we can. This gives a very individualistic tinge to the text.

I also noticed that in order to make his arguments convincing, Epictetus uses blame (or forensics) in his writing. “But are you not ashamed that you turn over your own faculty of judgment to whoever happens along, so that if he abuses you it is upset and confused?” (p.19). By appealing directly to people’s ways of acting and thinking, Epictetus, I believe, manages to make them feel guilty and more prone to accepting his ideas. People who have not been introduced to the art of rhetoric are more susceptible to fall into this trap and hurriedly believe what Epictetus is proposing without taking the time to analyze the facts and logic of the argument.

Apart from using blame, the author uses a lot of logic in his arguments. The examples he presents come from everyday life, and are therefore more credible and more likely to be accepted by the people. Epictetus merges science with philosophy in an attempt to prove that life follows an orderly pattern, and that we as humans are expected to behave rationally according to the circumstances. For example, the text makes references to Newton’s Third Law of Motion in order to explain the sequence of events in life. “For each action, consider what leads up to it and what follows it, and approach it in the light of that.” (p. 19). One of the most interesting aspects is that Newton’s Third Law of Motion is used in the majority of he texts we read last year, including the KJB and the Dao de Jing. In another instance, Epictetus used genetics to convince the reader to assume one role in life instead of behaving like a child and being indecisive about what you are. “Different people are naturally suited for different things.” (p.20). As can be seen from the previous quote, differences in people are attributed to nature, or genetics, and not to culture or other external influences. We, as actors in a play, are bound to accept the characteristics that nature gives us and make the most out of every situation by learning to recognize the orderly pattern of events and forces that govern the universe.