Epictetus' philosophy of control according to ChatGPT

 

ChatGpt, what is the meaning of Epictetus' Enchiridion 1?

"1. Some things are under our control, while others are not under our control. Under our control are conception, choice, desire, aversion, and, in a word, everything that is our own doing; not under our control are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, everything that is not our own doing. Furthermore, the things under our control are by nature free, unhindered, and unimpeded; while the things not under our control are weak, servile, subject to hindrance, and not our own. "Remember, therefore, that if what is naturally slavish you think to be free, and what is not your own to be your own, you will be hampered, will grieve, will be in turmoil, and will blame both gods and men; while if you think only what is your own to be your own, and what is not your own to be, as it really is, not your own, then no one will ever be able to exert compulsion upon you, no one will hinder you, you will blame no one, will find fault with no one, will do absolutely nothing against your will, you will have no personal enemy, no one will harm you, for neither is there any harm that can touch you. "With such high aims, therefore, remember that you must bestir yourself with no slight effort to lay hold of them, but you will have to give up some ​things entirely, and defer others for the time being. But if you wish for these things also, and at the same time for both office and wealth, it may be that you will not get even these latter, because you aim also at the former, and certainly you will fail to get the former, which alone bring freedom and happiness. "Make it, therefore, your study at the very outset to say to every harsh external impression, "You are an external impression and not at all what you appear to be." After that examine it and test it by these rules which you have, the first and most important of which is this: Whether the impression has to do with the things which are under our control, or with those which are not under our control; and, if it has to do with some one of the things not under our control, have ready to hand the answer, "It is nothing to me.""

"Epictetus' Enchiridion 1 is a Stoic philosophical text that emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting the things that are under our control and the things that are not. According to Epictetus, the only things that are truly under our control are our own thoughts, choices, and actions, while everything else, such as external events, our body, and our possessions, are not.

"Epictetus believes that by recognizing what is under our control, we can free ourselves from the influence of external events and avoid unnecessary suffering. "He argues that if we mistakenly believe that external events or possessions are under our control, we will be vulnerable to disappointment, frustration, and anger. In contrast, if we focus on what is truly under our control and accept that external events are not, we will be able to live with inner peace and freedom.

"Moreover, Epictetus advises that we should be aware of our goals and prioritize them. We should strive for the things that truly bring us freedom and happiness, rather than chasing after external possessions or power that are ultimately beyond our control.

"Finally, Epictetus suggests that we should practice detachment from external events by reminding ourselves that they are not what they appear to be. We should evaluate each external event and determine whether it is under our control or not. If it is not under our control, we should let it go and not allow it to disturb our inner peace."