Epiktetov savet- kako se rešiti zavisnosti

Zadovoljstvo može biti:

• usled konzumacije npr. ogromnih količina slatkiša
• usled pobede razuma i našeg karaktera nad zavisnostima i našim instinktima

Ako se odlučimo za ogromne količine slatkiša (ili za bilo koju drugu zavisnost koje hoćemo da se lišimo), to zadovoljstvo će biti kratkotrajno i površno, praćeno kasnijim kajanjem. U drugom slučaju zadovoljstvo će biti dublje i trajnije, jer smo uspeli da odolimo, posledično podstičući naš dobar karakter.

Ono na čemu stoici zasnivaju svoje učenje jeste razum. Stalnim življenjem vođenim instinktima nećemo izgraditi dobar život, predvođen razumom.

Odluka je na nama. Kratkoročno/ površno ili dugoročno/ dubinsko zadovoljstvo?

“If you are struck by the appearance of any promised pleasure, guard yourself against being hurried away by it; but let the affair wait your leisure, and procure yourself some delay. Then bring to your mind both points of time: that in which you will enjoy the pleasure, and that in which you will repent and reproach yourself after you have enjoyed it; and set before you, in opposition to these, how you will be glad and applaud yourself if you abstain. And even though it should appear to you a seasonable gratification, take heed that its enticing, and agreeable and attractive force may not subdue you; but set in opposition to this how much better it is to be conscious of having gained so great a victory.”