Athletic imagery as an educational tool in Epictetus

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper examines Epictetus’ use of athletic imagery as a pedagogical tool and what this tells us about his views on what philosophers can learn from athletes. This paper argues that this imagery serves an important protreptic, or motivational, function. By comparing virtue to Olympic victory and philosophical progress to athletic training, Epictetus inspires students to take up a life of philosophy and treat Stoicism as an ethically transformative practice rather than an abstract intellectual pursuit. These comparisons also show that Epictetus considers achieving virtue and athletic excellence to be similar kinds of pursuits, and because of this the philosopher can benefit by learning from the athlete’s example.