Critical assent, intellectualism and repetition in Epictetus

BRAICOVICH, RODRIGO SEBASTIÁN

Apeiron. Journal for Ancient Philosophy and Science

Walter De Gruyter

Año: 2012 vol. 45 p. 314 - 337

0003-6390

The didactic strategy of repeating a certain theoretical principle over and over again (either as a didactic strategy or as an exercise that the student must apply on himself) is ubiquitous both in Epictetus´ Discourses and in the Enchiridion. However, although these techniques represent one of the most important strategies in the author´s program of moral therapy, they seem to conflict with Epictetus´ intellectualist conception of human agency. I will try to show not only that there is no such conflict but also that those techniques are necessary for his central therapeutical strategy (the demand for a critical examination of our impressions) to produce a virtuous outcome.