Epictetus and laypeople : a stoic stance toward non-stoics / Erlend D MacGillivray.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

MacGillivray, Erlend D., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Stoics.

Epictetus.

Physical Description:

xxii, 215 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham : Lexington Books, [2020]

Summary:

"Explores the understanding that ancient philosophers had towards the vast majority of people at the time, those who had no philosophical knowledge or adherence--laypeople. After exploring how philosophical identity was established in antiquity, this book examines the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, who reflected upon laypeople with remarkable frequency. MacGillivray shows that Epictetus maintained his stance that a small and distinguishable group of philosophically aware individuals existed, alongside his conviction that most of humanity can be inclined to act in accordance with virtuous principles by their dependence upon preconceptions, civic law, popular religion, exempla, and the adoption of primitive conditions, among other means. This book also highlights other Stoics and their commentators to show that the means of lay reform that MacGillivray explores were not just implicitly understood in antiquity, but reveal a well-developed system of thought in the school which has, until now, evaded the notice of modern scholars"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: 1. Establishing a Philosophical Identity in Antiquity

2. Limitations on Moral Advancement

3. The Selective Engagement of Laypeople

4. Nonscholastic Instruction and Primitive Humanity

5. Preconceptions

6. Civic Religion and Law

7. Exempla.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 185-207) and index.

ISBN:

9781793618238

1793618232

OCLC:

1144964693

Publisher Number:

99989246945