Revisiting the three topoi in Dissertationes 3.2

Abstract

I re-examine the three topoi or areas of study outlined in Epictetus, Dissertationes 3.2 and the claim that they align with the traditional three parts of Stoic philosophy. I argue that they do not correspond to the three parts, but instead map out a series of stages in philosophical training. I then compare these three topoi with another set outlined in Enchiridion 52. I argue that these are distinct from the set outlined in Dissertationes 3.2 and that this second set does not map on to the three parts of Stoic philosophy either. I conclude by suggesting that the three topoi in the Dissertationes are not as central to the philosophy of Epictetus as some commentators have supposed.

Keywords

• Epictetus
• Stoicism
• three topoi
• three parts of philosophy
• Pierre Hadot