Introducing The Discourses of Epictetus Contemplate-A-Long

A 95-week shared experiment in philosophical understanding.

If we are to believe Aristotle in the ‘Nichomachean Ethics’, then the contemplation of philosophy leads to the highest form of virtue, happiness and human flourishing. Philosophy must not just remain only in the mind but convert to real practical wisdom. And to that end, there is no more practical philosopher than Epictetus. It’s also my favourite stoic text, and if I’m going to write about something every week for over two years, I’ll allow myself the indulgence.

Over on my YouTube channel, I’ve had a few requests for a book club from commentators. The channel is tiny, and so is my Substack, so I doubt a book club would work. It got me thinking about what I would want to do. I’ve been trying to find a regular writing habit in between some of the longer format essays I’m working on, and the piecemeal practical wisdom of Epictetus might be just the ticket.

Epictetus & The Discourses

The Discourses and Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations are the most widely read stoic works and have been for hundreds of years. And while the Meditations collects the real recollections and musings of the most powerful man in the world, it isn’t always immediately clear what to do about them. Epictetus had a more singular aim: to take the ethical principles of Stoicism and use them.

Born into slavery, later winning his freedom and founding a philosophical school, Epictetus's philosophy can be reduced to just one sentence.

“About things that are within our power and those that are not.”

Discourses 1.1

From this one sentence arises a surprising, complete, practical, simple and powerful worldview that has inspired everyone from Roman emperors to prisoners of war.

Epictetus didn’t write anything down, and the discourses were never meant for publication. They are the notes of what must have been a very keen student, Arrian. We learn this from a letter prefacing the work, where Arrian takes great pains to emphasise that the work was never meant for public consumption and that these are the details of a real conversation; any fault in them owes to his lack of ability, not Epictetus’s.

Unfortunately, of the eight books written, only four and a handful of fragments remain. Epictetus’s Enchiridion, or ‘The Handbook’, is a related and much shorter work. Consider this a much-condensed version of The Discourses, ready to be applied and consulted at a moment’s notice. If you’re unfamiliar with Epictetus, you might want to start here to get a taste of what you’re in for.

Goals, Translations and Schedule

My Goal

Much is written about the Stoics and their work rather than exploring their work as a primary source. This had led to a sort of neo-stoicism, which has been refracted and diluted by so many secondary and tertiary sources that, in the main, we’re not even talking about the same thing anymore. Some of this is the natural progression of the canon, but a lot of it is not. Consider this my humble and feeble attempt to be different.

I only engage in a public project if a failure for it to achieve success on a wider level would still be a success on a personal level. I also applied that heuristic to my YouTube channel, Substack, and this project. If no one were to join me in my so-called contemplate-a-long, I’d still be all the better off for doing it. I don’t mean to imply I won’t put the effort in; this is, after all, both a useful exercise in contemplation and communication, but I’ll keep going regardless of its reach.

I am just an amateur, so I’ll approach the works on a personal level, not a rigorous academic one. I’ve read a fair amount of philosophy, but I’m not your guy if you’re looking for a detailed dissection relating to the themes, history and arguments from its far-reaching impact. However, if you’re interested in sharing and reflecting on the wisdom of the Stoics’ most practical philosopher and exploring how best to learn from the text, you’re in the right place. This is, after all, pages to practice, not pages to thesis.

Translation

I’ll read and comment on Robin Hard’s translation for Oxford World Classics, Discourses, Fragments, Handbook. Mainly because that’s the one I’ve got, but I’ve also heard good things about Robin Waterfield’s translation. I know these two translations are complete, but I’m unsure if that is the case for all of them. Be warned.

If you’re trying to follow along at home, then Hard’s translation has the following number of discourses in each book:

Book One: 30
Book Two: 26
Book Three: 26
Book Four: 13

I’ll reference the text by <book>.<discourse>.<line>; for example, 3.10.5 is the fifth line of discourse ten in book three.

Schedule

I aim to publish an exploration of each discourse every Friday. That would put the first post of Discourse 1.1 this Friday, March 14th. Then, I’ll continue in that fashion for the next 95 weeks until all the discourses are finished. However, I’m under no illusions about everything that can waylay a plan over such a long time. It’ll surprise no one if I don’t finish, but I think it’ll be a helpful endeavour regardless.

Contemplate along with me!

I’m sharing this because I don’t think it needs to be a solitary endeavour, so the best way to contemplate along with me is to click subscribe below. Or you can bookmark the page and return regularly, whatever floats your boat.

Every article has a comment section, and I encourage you to join in with your thoughts and commentary on that week’s Discourse. I’ll pose a question at the end of every article to provoke thoughtful discussion. If you take the time to comment, I’ll read it and respond.

I’m looking forward to what will hopefully be an important and developing endeavour and to meeting anyone who decides to come along for the ride.