Epictetus, a Stoic philosopher born circa 55 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia, was once a slave in Rome before earning his Freedom and teaching in Nicopolis, Greece. His teachings emphasized personal control and the Power of rational Thought, reflecting the intellectual climate of the Roman Empire. The "Enchiridion," a manual of practical ethical advice distilled by his pupil Arrian around 125 AD, emerged during a Timewhen Stoicism was highly regarded. Initially embraced by Stoic scholars, the text provided a moral guide admired among Roman elites. Over centuries, it became a cornerstone of Stoic Philosophy, influencing early Christian thought, Enlightenment thinkers such as Kant, and modern cognitive-psychology, resonating across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
Guiding Question
Are you in control of your mind or just its captive?