Discipline of Assent - Epictetus

• What we will do:
We will read and discuss selected writings of Epictetus' Enchiridion and Discourses about the Discipline of Assent.
Epictetus's claim is that between an impression striking us and our reacting to it, there is a gap, and in that gap we have the power — and the responsibility — to test the impression before agreeing to it. Nothing outside us can distress us directly; only our own assent to a judgment about it can.

Here are the specific texts we'll be reading:
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Epictetus,_the_Discourses_as_reported_by_Arrian,_the_Manual,_and_Fragments/Book_1/Chapter_20
#1, #5, #17, #20, #43 and #16 from here: https://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html

• Why we meet
The goal of this group is to discuss how to apply Stoicism to our daily lives and how we can get better at it.
You don't need to be an academic or have any sort of philosophy training to join this group.
The best contribution you can make is to tell a short personal story, how some of the text we read, applied to an experience you have actually had.

• Where we meet
We will meet at the Encinitas Public Library (outside patio).
Note: IN CASE OF RAIN, we will meet directly at the Modern Times coffee, food and bar on 470 S Coast Hwy 101, 92024 Encinitas. A less than 10 minute walk, downhill from the library.
If you want to and have time you can join us after the Meetup for lunch at Modern Times.
There is plenty of parking at the library. We'll be meeting on the outside patio of the library with its beautiful ocean view.

• What to bring
We'll be sitting outside on the patio. Please dress accordingly. Prepare for both, sun and cold wind.

• Important to know
The focus of this group is self-improvement and socializing.
Though I encourage people to be politically active, we don't want to get into political discussions at our Stoicism meetups.