HOW PHILOSOPHY CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

Jules Evans 2013Jules Evans is a British writer and journalist and the author of the book Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations. In this talk he discusses his own history of drug use and how it led to panic attacks and social anxiety. He was helped immensely by a psychological technique called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, developed by the American psychologist Albert Ellis. Evans interviewed Albert Ellis, and found that he developed CBT based on the teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus.

1. What statement by Epictetus was of particular inspiration to Albert Ellis?

2. Summarize Ellis’ famous “ABC” theory of the emotions. According to Jules Evans, why is it often difficult to apply Ellis’ theory to our daily lives?

3. According to the ancient Greeks, how do we cause most of our own suffering? How did Socrates think we can free ourselves from this suffering?

4. What were the two spheres into which Epictetus divided all of life? How did this division relate to his philosophy of resilience?

5. According to Epictetus, what do we NOT control in life? What DO we control?

6. Epictetus believed that emotional problems arise from two mistakes humans make. What are they?

7. How did Epictetus help Jules Evans in his struggle with social anxiety?

8. According to Jules Evans, how did the Greeks try to make their philosophies practical in order to help people actually succeed at changing their lives?

9. Evans believes that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is missing some important elements that can be found in the ideas of the ancient Greeks and Romans. What are these elements and why do they matter?

Epictetus (2nd century B.C.E.)

Albert Ellis (1913-2007)