Stoic News

By Dave Kelly

Friday, July 21, 2023

Stoicism Supports Personal Authority

 

ChatGpt,

Please generate an argument which demonstrates that the assertions of Text 1 are supported by the principles of Text 2.

Text 1. 

"No man is master of another's moral purpose; and: In its sphere alone are to be found one's good and evil. It follows, therefore, that no one has power either to procure me good, or to involve me in evil, but I myself alone have authority over myself in these matters. Accordingly, when these things are secure for me, what excuse have I for being disturbed about things external?" (Epictetus, Discourses, 4.12.7--9).

Text 2.

Core Beliefs of Stoicism 

1. "Happiness (eudaimonia) is to be found exclusively in Virtue." 
2. "The only things we control are inner events such as our beliefs, desires, and acts of will." 
3. "Virtue (or virtue and certain things that can be attained only by those with virtue) is the only genuine good, and vice the only genuine evil." 
4. "Ergo, since virtue and vice are types of acts of will, they are in our control."
5. "Ergo, things not in our control [externals] are neither good nor evil."
6. "Emotions (or passions, if you prefer) arise from (false) beliefs that externals have value. 
7. "No-one should be distressed by any external occurrence" (Grant C. Sterling, modified).


"ChatGPT"

"The assertions in Text 1 are supported by the principles outlined in Text 2, particularly Core Beliefs 2, 3, 5, and 7 of Stoicism. Let's examine how each principle from Text 2 reinforces the arguments in Text 1:

• Core Belief 2: "The only things we control are inner events such as our beliefs, desires, and acts of will.""

"Text 1: "No man is master of another's moral purpose; and: In its sphere alone are to be found one's good and evil. It follows, therefore, that no one has power either to procure me good, or to involve me in evil, but I myself alone have authority over myself in these matters."

"Support: Core Belief 2 aligns with the idea that individuals have control only over their inner events, such as beliefs and acts of will. This principle agrees with the assertion in Text 1 that one's good and evil are within their own sphere of control. No external person or circumstance can directly control an individual's moral purpose or inner events.

• Core Belief 3: "Virtue (or virtue and certain things that can be attained only by those with virtue) is the only genuine good, and vice the only genuine evil.""

"Text 1: "In its sphere alone are to be found one's good and evil."

"Support: Core Belief 3 reinforces the concept in Text 1 that genuine good (virtue) and genuine evil (vice) reside within oneself. Stoicism emphasizes that external factors are not inherently good or evil. Instead, the only true good lies in cultivating virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and self-discipline. Therefore, Text 1's assertion aligns with the Stoic belief that virtue is the only true good."

• Core Belief 5: "Things not in our control [externals] are neither good nor evil."

"Text 1: "It follows, therefore, that no one has power either to procure me good, or to involve me in evil."

"Support: Core Belief 5 complements Text 1 by asserting that things external to oneself, which are beyond our control, hold no inherent value of good or evil. Text 1's argument that no one else can procure good or involve an individual in evil aligns with the Stoic belief that external events are neutral in nature. It is our response and interpretation of these events that determine their impact on us."

• Core Belief 7: "No-one should be distressed by any external occurrence."

"Text 1: "Accordingly, when these things are secure for me, what excuse have I for being disturbed about things external?"

"Support: Core Belief 7 reinforces Text 1's argument that there is no excuse for being disturbed by external events when we have control over our inner events and virtues. Stoicism teaches that emotional distress often arises from false beliefs and judgments about external occurrences. By recognizing the distinction between what is in our control and what is not, one can achieve a state of tranquility even amidst external turbulence."

"In summary, the principles of Stoicism outlined in Text 2 support and reinforce the assertions made in Text 1. Both texts emphasize the importance of focusing on one's inner events, virtues, and responses to external circumstances to achieve a state of contentment and inner peace. The Stoic beliefs align with the idea that one's good and evil lie within their own sphere of control and that external events, devoid of inherent value, should not disturb an individual who has authority over their own inner state" (ChatGPT).


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