The Handbook by Epitectus and Liberty by John Stuart Mill

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Liberation movements such as the 1960’s Civil Rights movement or the independence of India from England are great references in the method to attain freedom, and to see what freedom means to different types of people. To further understand movements as previously mentioned or other liberation events, a philosophical understanding of freedom is essential. As a rubric if you will, Epictetus and John Stuart Mill both have contributed significantly to the understanding of freedom. Both philosophers lived in very different times, thus providing different interpretation of freedom. However, they both reacted to their experiences to set the foundation for their interpretation. Mill’s interaction with the Victorian social reform and Epictetus experience as a slave, each experience provided the distinctness to the interpretation of freedom. With all in mind, both philosophers have underlining belief that individuals untimely have the choice to be happy, and that’s done by acting within the realm of freedom. In order to fully understand both interpretations of freedom analyzes needs to be done on The Handbook by Epictetus and Liberty by John Stuart Mill.
Beginning with Epictetus, The Handbook, in a nutshell the book illustrates how to be free and happy in through life’s obstacles. The implicit semi pessimistic and deterministic ambiance of the book is due to Epictetus experience as a slave. In particular the lifelong deformity that resulted from being a slave; Epictetus’ leg was intentionally broken by his owner, leaving him with a limp in his walk. Later, he moved to Greece from Rome and opened a school, is here when his philosophy was archived by a student. It is evident that Epictetus interpretation of freedom centers around internal fr...

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...y went against Mill’s beliefs; he had to be careful about his response to the reform. As alluded, Epictetus’ experience as a slave is portrayed in his philosophy. As a slave, his life was determined for him, and there was little to no independence. Worrying or acting upon things out of his control would cause distress, so believing in a deity can be interpreted as a coping method. In summary, context had a great impact on both philosophers’ method of understanding freedom because they saw in terms of personal issues.
In conclusion, Mill and Epictetus are not in philosophical harmony, but they both were responding in terms of their times and experiences. Consequently, in regards to understanding freedom, these philosophies complement each other because they both address different components of freedom. As a result, we can attempt to produce synthesis for freedom.

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