Assignment 1: Epictetus and Medea
Background
The Greek philosopher Epictetus, in discussing why people perform acts
that are harmful to themselves, uses examples from the play Medea
to illustrate an extreme case of a self-destructive act. Essentially, he
argues that people go against their best interest because they are unable
(for whatever reason) to determine what is best for them, and that if
they are shown the course of action that is best for them, they will
inevitably choose that plan.
The idea that everyone is naturally drawn to the good and that people
fail to choose the best for themselves because they lack full knowledge
of their situation goes back to Plato and Aristotle. In the
Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle presumes that everyone wants to be
happy, and that by using reason, we can attain personal happiness and at
the same time be ethically good.
In seeking to understand why people perform harmful or irrational acts,
philosophers tend to emphasize lack of reason or understanding as a
cause, and they tend to propose reason or education as a solution.
Writers of fiction, poetry, or drama, on the other hand, are frequently
more skeptical about the power of reason. Eurpides, through the
character of Jason, shows how easily humans can manipulate reason (or
rationalize) rather than using it to reach an understanding.
Purpose
The purpose of Assignment 1 is to analyze the basic argument of Epictetus
and to determine whether or not his conclusion fits with your
interpretation of the play.
Steps
- Read the Selections
from the Discourses by Epictetus, and skim the background texts on
Stoicism that are listed on that page.
- Outline or summarize briefly the point of each of the two passages.
- Compare the interpretations of Epictetus with the actual passages (in
our translation) for accuracy. If he seems to misquote or misrepresent
tha actual text, discuss how.
- Decide whether or not Epictetus' conclusions on Medea's motivation
match your own interpretation of the play. If you agree with Epictetus,
state the main points of similarity (and provide additional support from
the play, if possible). If you disagree with his view (that is, if in
your view, the play's meaning somehow doesn't fit with the philosophy of
Epictetus) specify how the play (in your interpretation) suggests other
views of Medea's motivation. Your answer should be about 1/2 page, and
should refer briefly to specific passages in the play, but should not
present lengthy plot summaries. Turn in your answer by noon, 1/24/97.
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