爱比克泰德的哲学思想(双语)

爱比克泰德

身为斯多亚主义者，爱比克泰德接纳亚里士多德的学说，倡导依照自然规律生活，追求理想的幸福，并将这门学说发展成为一门指引生活的哲学。他崇尚依照自然秩序过一种自制的生活，一种朴实为家庭和社会服务的生活而非去操纵自然或控制人类。

爱比克泰德认为, 我们必须充分利用我们所能控制的东西, 至于其他的, 就顺其自然吧。有些东西在我们的控制能力之下，而也有些东西是我们无法控制的。如果你只把自己的东西看做自己的，并非自己的不认作自己的，便没有人能强迫你，阻拦你，你也不会责怪别人或挑剔任何人，不会做有悖于意志的事，不会有敌人，没人会加害于你，有害的东西也无法触及你。

在爱比克泰德看来，美好人生并非把诸多规则一一列出来，然后机械地去遵守它们，而是很自然的让我们的行动与愿望保持和谐。善良是一个平等的机会，它的大门在任何时候都向每一个人敞开着：无论他贫穷或富有，也无论他受过良好教育或文化不高。

爱比克泰德把道德观念推进到一个简单平凡的境界，表现于人们日常的行为举止中。他为收获美好人生开出的处方围绕以下三个要点克制你的欲望，履行你的义务，学会清楚的考虑你自己以及在人类这个大的群体中你的各种关系。这些思想观念对于现世的我们来说，依然具有很强的启发和指导意义。

跟他的斯多亚先辈一样，爱比克泰德对宇宙的本质、物质或者精神没有兴趣。他最关心的是要找到一条忍受人生的办法。“永远不要说什么‘我已经失去它了’这类的话，而只说：‘我已经把它还回去了。’你的孩子死了吗?它是已经被送回去了。你的妻子死了吗?她被还回去了……”当造物主将其赐予你的时候，你要好好善待他，就像善待宾馆中不属于你的物品一样。

Epictetus

As a Stoic, Epictetus accepted Aristotle’s theory who advocated living under the nature law and pursuit the ideal happiness, so as to develop this doctrine into a guiding philosophy for life. He believes man should live in a way of self-restraint, which is a simple life, serving social and family rather than to manipulate the nature or controlled humans.

Epictetus claims that we must take full advantage of the things those are under our control, and the others, let them go. Some things are under our control, while others are not under our control. 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.

In Epictetus’s opinion, a good life is not comply with the mechanically rules, but maintain our actions and desires harmonious naturally. Good is an equal opportunity, opening its door to everyone at all time; no matter he is rich or poor, and whether he received a high-level education or not.

Epictetus promotes his moral idea to a mundane level, in people’s daily behavior. He has three prescriptions for harvest a better life：control your desire, fulfill your obligations, and consider your relationships in groups. Up to now, these ideas still have a strong inspiring and guiding significance.

Epictetus, the same as his predecessors, has no interest in the material, mind or the nature of universe. His main concern is to find a way enduring life. “Never say about anything, ‘I have lost it,’ but only ‘I have given it back,’Is your child dead? It has been given back. Is your wife dead? She has been given back. So long as the Giver gives it to you, take care of it as of a thing that is not your own, as travelers treat their inn.”