Epectitus makes the case that there are three layers of philosophy:
- How we should act
- Why we should act in this why
- Proof that layer (2) is in fact adequate reasoning for why we should act in a certain way
In practice, layer (1) in obviously the most important. The primary reason for thinking about the way we should act is so that we can actually act properly.
Not so we can tell others why what they’re doing is wrong, or how they’re thinking about something the wrong way. Or even so that we can develop iron-clad logical arguments.
The purpose is action.
Yet layers (2) and (3) are so seductive. When we spend the time to study something, we get excited about what we learned and we’re in a hurry to spread the word and teach everyone around us.
The important thing to remember though is that everything else is in service of the act itself.
The thing to avoid, as Epictetus says, is, “that we lie – but have no difficulty proving why we shouldn’t.”
-Brandon