The Slave Who Was Free | Berkeley’s AA Long on Epictetus
Lessons from the Stoic Grandmaster
Born a slave, Epictetus taught that happiness is always within our control, no matter the external circumstances. Once freed from bondage, he became one of Rome’s most sought-after teachers, shaping a generation of elite young men with his stoic wisdom on living a life beyond the whims of fortune.
In this interview, renowned Epictetus scholar Anthony Long breaks down the stoic teachings that prepared young men for the highest levels of society, and shares how those lessons can be of relevance to us today.
Topics we cover:
01:53 Epictetus: From Slave to Philosopher
09:17 Why Virtue Is Necessary and Sufficient for Happiness
20:31 The Stoic Take on Religion
23:22 The Four Cardinal Virtues of Stoic Ethics
25:42 Happiness Doesn't Depend On External Fortune
30:47 How Epictetus Challenges Classic Stoic Ethics
33:06 Why Stoics Care About Health, Wealth, and Honor
38:40 Why Stoics Reject Universal Moral Rules
45:02 Epictetus vs. Aristotle: Can Virtue Alone Guarantee Happiness?
51:38 How Epictetus Defines What’s in Our Control
56:21 Why Everything Depends on Your Judgment
58:50 The Blind Spot of Modern Stoicism
1:01:11 Why Stoicism Resonates in Times of Crisis
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