How does one remain Stoic in the age of outrageous political behavior? Can we sit back, unattached, while fascist tendencies grow stronger, while minorities are persecuted and out nation is divided? No, I don't think Epictetus would agree with that (although his comments about the "loss" of a child make one wonder). Since we can't ask him, we don't really know what he would have suggested. Does it matter, though? Epictetus would certainly agree that we should not be attached to a person (including him) so that we tie our fortunes to that person. So perhaps there should be less focus on whether one is or is not following his version of Stoicism, and more on whether we can indeed live with our actions, whatever they may be. Or, rather, our philosophy of living. Engage, but don't become overly attached?
If we are embedded in an incomplete world, how could we possibly know it? Can we grasp the totality, or even believe with confidence that there is a totality or whole waiting to be discovered, if we can only see the parts in space (physical, mental) and time around us?
This website has been dormant for too long. Actually, no, not too long, as that would suggest attachment to a preferred indifferent (thank you, Epictetus). I am not so attached. Regardless, I have taken up painting during the last few years, entered some art shows, and hope to display at more. Soon I will upload images of these on a new page.
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Live Free or Die. Archives
July 2020
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