Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Proper Use of Impressions

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Proper Use of Impressions

ChatGPT's interpretation of Keith Seddon's (pg. 114) text:

"1. Understand the relationship between your happiness and the disposition of your moral character: Recognize that your happiness and well-being, which Epictetus refers to as "good flow" or "euroia," are determined by the state of your moral character or prohairesis. Realize that maintaining the correct disposition is essential for your overall well-being.

2. Recognize the importance of using impressions correctly: Simply knowing about the connection between your moral character and happiness is not enough. It is crucial to understand how to use impressions properly to align your thoughts and actions with virtuous principles.

3. Maintain constant awareness of your assent: As a prokoptôn or a Stoic practitioner, strive to be conscious at all times of what you are assenting to. Stand between your awareness of factual information and your evaluations or judgments about those facts.

4. Engage in a dialogue with yourself: Actively engage in internal conversations as events or situations occur. Ask yourself questions like, "Now, what has happened here?" to bring your attention to the present moment and gain clarity about the nature of the situation.

5. Recognize what is beyond your control: When evaluating the situation, identify aspects that are outside your control. Acknowledge that these external factors hold no power over your inner well-being.

6. Choose a virtuous response: Determine how you should respond based on your role or position in the situation. Consider what action aligns with your virtuous nature and is in accordance with the principles of nature.

7. Identify and correct erroneous assent: If you notice yourself experiencing negative emotions or pathos, pause and reflect. Recognize that these emotions arise because you have wrongly assented to an impression. Shift your focus back to the impression that caused the emotional response.

8. Reassess the offending impression: Examine the impression that triggered the negative emotions or pathos. Judge it correctly by aligning it with reason and wisdom.

9. Determine the relevance of external matters: Assess whether the impression concerns something external, beyond your control, or within your sphere of influence. If it pertains to external matters, remind yourself that it holds no significance or power over your inner well-being.

10. Continue the practice: Repeat this process of engaging in a dialogue with yourself, assessing impressions, and responding virtuously as situations arise. Cultivate a continuous awareness of your assent and refine your ability to use impressions correctly in alignment with Stoic teachings.

Remember, these step-by-step instructions are based on the provided text [Seddon, pg. 114], which draws from Epictetus's teachings. Epictetus's philosophy emphasizes the importance of using impressions correctly to cultivate inner harmony and virtuous actions" (ChatGPT).

Keith Seddon (2005). Epictetus' Handbook and the Tablet of Cebes.