Counterdihairesis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

According to the Stoic philosophy of Epictetus, Counterdihairesis is the second-power Judgement, or Superjudgement that, among ordinary judgements about any situation, concludes that those things not subject to our exclusive power are subject to our exclusive power or, conversely, concludes that those things truly subject to our exclusive power are in fact not subject to our exclusive power. Among the many examples contained in the ‘Discourses’ we can choose the following: A) ‘Today I must surely die. Must I groan too?’ B) ‘Tomorrow I must be fettered. Must I moan too?’ C) ‘I have been condemned to exile. Does anyone prevent me from being serene?’ A Prohairesis that assumes an attitude in accordance with Counterdihairesis will, in case A, groan and struggle against death, in case B attempt to escape and moan when the body is fettered, in case C try to avoid exile and experience the opposite of serenity. Counterdihairesis is the Superjudgement in exact opposition to Dihairesis.

[edit] External links