Erlend Dr. MacGillivray's Epictetus and Laypeople: A Stoic Stance toward the Rest of Humanity explores the understanding that ancient philosophers had towards the vast majority of people at the time, those who had no philosophical knowledge or adherence-laypeople. After exploring how philosophical identity was established in antiquity, this book examines the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, who reflected upon laypeople with remarkable frequency. MacGillivray shows that Epictetus maintained his stance that a small and distinguishable group of philosophically aware individuals existed, alongside his conviction that most of humanity can be inclined to act in accordance with virtuous principles by their dependence upon preconceptions, civic law, popular religion, exempla, and the adoption of primitive conditions, among other means. This book also highlights other Stoics and their commentators to show that the means of lay reform that MacGillivray explores were not just implicitly understood in antiquity, but reveal a well-developed system of thought in the school which has, until now, evaded the notice of modern scholars.

About the Author
Erlend D. MacGillivray received his PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in 2018.


Book Information
ISBN 9781793618238
Author Erlend D. MacGillivray
Format Hardback
Page Count 238
Imprint Lexington Books
Publisher Lexington Books
Weight(grams) 544g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 160mm * 25mm