Epictetus is one of the founders of stoicism who believed the emotions, feelings, and desires of a person are under his control. He is known for his interpretation of stoicism, a philosophical approach that teaches the development of self-control as a solution to overcome any destructive emotion and develop inner calm in helping people cope with pain and suffering ( Long, 2002) . According to Epictetus, all external events are beyond the control of a person, and people should accept whatever happens. However, he also stated that everyone is responsible for what they do and should control them through self-discipline.
The philosophy of Epictetus focuses on providing reasoning and certainty in judgment. He believed the foundation of philosophy lies self-knowledge where the principle of unawareness is the first subject to systematic study ( Long, 2002) . Epictetus philosophy discovers reasons and causes for phenomena through logic that is subordinate to practical needs. He believed the determination of what is right and evil could not be done by choice, instead of through reason. Choice only grants people the freedom that is only present in rational beings. Epictetus thus believed philosophy was a way of life rather than a theoretical discipline ( Long, 2002).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
On the other hand, Lucretius was an Epicurean poet who was the first to introduce Roman readers to epicurean philosophy that includes atomism and psychology. He contributed in the development of atomism that describes the nature of mind and soul and development of phenomena in the world ( O'Keefe, 2003) . Lucretius believes the universe operates guided by chance other than divine intervention. He thought religion caused unnecessary hardship for people and denied the existence of any supernatural being. According to his philosophy, belief in God and superstition was the cause of anxiety and war in a person ( O'Keefe, 2003).
His atomism philosophy believes once the body dies, the mind and spirit can no longer exist. In this regard, he stated that death could neither be good or bad and therefore the fear of death is a prediction of anxieties experienced in life. The philosophy of Epicurus by Lucretius emphasizes tranquility and peace of mind as a necessity to attain happiness ( O'Keefe, 2003) . He declared pleasure as the only intrinsic good and so the absence of pain as the greatest pleasure. His philosophy can, therefore, relate to the concept of emotional detachment. Lucretius also believed that all organisms have the best chances of surviving if they adapt best to the environment. His theory of natural philosophy states that living organisms survive based on their strength, speed or intellect ( O'Keefe, 2003).
However, one problem with the philosophy of Epictetus and Lucretius is that it advances its followers to be selfish. For example, Epictetus claimed that a person’s wife or child is just among the many human beings and their deaths should not distress them since death occurs each day to many other people ( Long, 2002) . As such, he believed a person should feel about the death of loved ones the same way they feel about the death of many other people dying on a daily basis. In the same way, Lucretius believed people who are love do not need to fear death because it has not touched them ( O'Keefe, 2003) . This principle of selfishness among the two philosophers is a misguided one since being in a deep personal relationship creates a deep emotional connection with the welfare of beloved ones. Another problem with stoicism and Epicureanism as advanced by the two philosophers is their excessive emphasis on self and avoiding any benefit of developing a deep relationship as it causes unavoidable pain and suffering. It is only imperative that a person cares about their loved ones and become vulnerable when they die. Avoiding doing this is a form of preventing pain can translate to selfishness.
I agree with his philosophy regarding emotional detachment as a necessity for well-being. Emotional detachment allows an individual to experience an inner peace without getting attached to anything that may cause suffering. For example, a person who is experiencing pain from losing something valuable can achieve inner peace by accepting that death is part of life and accept the emotional strife. Such an individual can detach from the emotional concept of loss and let go of a belief that life should be easy. Emotional detachment can also involve embracing the idea of change and a concept of impermanence, which can help a person to appreciate things without getting attached to them. Achieving happiness is therefore in emotional detachment. Human beings should learn to let go and allow life to take its course without getting attached and creating suffering.
References
Long, A. A. (2002). Epictetus: A Stoic and Socratic guide to life . Clarendon Press.
O'Keefe, T. (2003). Lucretius on the Cycle of Life and the Fear of Death. Apeiron , 36 (1), 43-66.
