21 March 1984

Second hour
  • Frédéric Gros
  • François Ewald
  • Alessandro Fontana
Part of the Michel Foucault book series (MFL)

Abstract

I WILL TRY QUICKLY to read with you chapter 22 from Book III of Epictetus’ Discourses. It is an extremely interesting text inasmuch as it is well and truly the description of the Cynic mission. Following what I have just been saying, if we accept that the reversal of the theme of the sovereign life in the Cynics leads to the assertion that, on the one hand, the Cynic is a king, and that, on the other, he has a hard mission to fulfill, we find the second aspect (the mission) developed in Epictetus, whereas Dio Chrysostom lays more stress on the theme of Cynic kingship (Fourth and Eighth Discourses). So Epictetus is interesting for this definition of Cynic sovereignty as mission.

Keywords

Professional Philosopher Bare Life Philosophical Life True Life Ascetic Practice 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Copyright information

© Graham Burchell 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Frédéric Gros
  • François Ewald
  • Alessandro Fontana

There are no affiliations available

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