Book Review: On Human Freedom

I’m not entirely sure what I read here. It was philosophy; it was interesting at points. But honestly, if a book goes in one errand out the other… can I say it was a good book? I hypothesise that I have read too much philosophy of late, and I’m a bit knackered by it. I’m sure what Epictetus says is profound and, in parts, moving.

Epictetus was a former slave, and the experience of slavery is probably not one he wishes on anyone, but it did change his worldview of ‘ownership’ and what it means to him. Being owned is not just limited to other humans ‘owning’ humans. It can be extended to our possessions as well. Do we possess them or do they possess us, as Epictetus decrees that not only do we own objects, but we are irrevocably tied to them as well.

There is, naturally, the question of ‘what does freedom really mean?’ It seems that honouring that which is eternal: goodness, justice and the god is in line with freedom. But beholding your control to that which is not eternal - say the whims and laws of the Emperor… then you are not free. There are some odd little contradictions here. The gods of the time were fundamentally flawed; just pick up a book of ancient Roman or Greek mythology and you’ll see why. They are anthropomorphised and ruled by the same desires, troubles and petty jealousies as humans are. While following the desires and whims of the gods probably seems like the smart idea from the viewpoint of divinity, it does not seem like freedom to me. But hindsight is a funny thing.

This was a short and sweet book ‘Penguin Great Ideas’ series is a fun way of packing a small punch of knowledge. Doesn’t mean you have to agree with all the ideas, thoughts or policies projected. But I guess the point is more ‘food for thought’ than ‘this is how you should do your life’.