Jason Xenakis on Epictetus: Happiness, Cosmopolitanism, and Suicide (Pre-read)
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Coming from an affluent Greek family in Romania, Jason Byron Xenakis was born in Braila in 1923 – one of his brothers being the renowned composer Ianis. He studied in Harvard under Quine and became a world authority on Epictetus, Stoicism and suicide. He commited suicide in Athens in 1977. Several members of his family, including his brother, declined attending the funeral.
Reading the following units of his book Epictetus: Philosopher-Therapist should give you a sufficient grasp of Xenakis' interpretation of Epictetus' ethics:
5. Living for Happiness
6. Suicide, Euthanasia, Death
16. Proofs of Design
17. Cacodicy
35. Loneliness
39. Troubleshooting and Cosmopolitanism
X. Afterthoughts.
The book can be accessed here.
People who have not read the text are welcome to join and participate, but priority in the discussion will be given to people who have read the assigned text.