Epictetus’s Thoughts About True Freedom

Abstract

The aim as this paper is to study the ideas of Epictetus, one of the representatives of ancient Roman stoicism, regarding the status of human freedom. According to his teachings, implementation of the principle of «living reasonably and honestly» is the most important prerequisite for freedom. Awareness of his/her freedom is the guarantee of a person’s decent life.Research methodology. The paper is based on sociocultural and systemic approaches, with the help of which the author studies Epictetus’s ethical rationalism, his views on the essence of individuals as rational and moral-ethical human beings. The author uses analytical, comparative and terminological methods of research. A descriptive method for presentation of the content of some conceptual ideas of the philosopher is also used as an additional one.Results. According to Epictetus, the awareness by individuals to be free human beings is the most important prerequisite for implementation of the principle of «living reasonably and honestly». He focuses on the concept of freedom as a conscious necessity that is characteristic of all Stoics. Having realized the need for a particular event, a person should act within the framework of this necessity. If a person goes beyond its scope, the necessity of certain events will force his/ her to obey it. Thus, in the context of the rationalist paradigm of the philosophy of the Stoics, it is possible to attain the state of freedom. Complementary to the rationalist aspect of freedom, Epictetus also considers an ethical aspect as a necessary one. Only the person who lives according to ethical principles achieves true freedom. Two principles: to live reasonably and honestly, are like two sides of one medal. According to Epictetus, reasonableness shows itself in decent behavior, which is caused by reasonableness. The interdependence of these two principles is reflected in the following dialectical concepts: «reasonable decency» or «decent reasonableness.» A person, who combines these two principles in his life, lives a good life. Human decency is one of the highest values in the axiological paradigm of Epictetus’s philosophy.Novelty. The author substantiates the idea concerning Epictetus’s interpreting true freedom. On the first hand, freedom consists in comprehension of life and on the second hand, it is based on the honest attitude of a person towards his neighbor and society as a whole.The practical significance. The material of this paper should be used in further research of the philosophical ideas of stoicism, as well as in educational courses in the humanities, first of all in the study of philosophy, ethics, and culturology.