Editing Epictetus (section)

== Thought ==
[[Image:Epictetus.png|thumb|upright|An eighteenth century engraving depicting Epictetus]]
Epictetus maintains that the foundation of all philosophy is [[Self-knowledge (psychology)|self-knowledge]]; that is, the conviction of our ignorance and gullibility ought to be the first subject of our study.<ref>Epictetus, ''Discourses'', ii.11.1</ref> [[Logic]] provides valid reasoning and certainty in judgment, but it is subordinate to practical needs.<ref>Epictetus, ''Discourses'', i.7.1–8</ref> He also maintained that the first and most necessary part of philosophy concerns the application of doctrine, for example, that people should not [[lie]]. The second concerns reasons, e.g., why people should not lie. The third, lastly, examines and establishes the reasons.<ref name="ritter201">[[Heinrich Ritter]], Alexander James William Morrison, (1846), ''The History of Ancient Philosophy'', Volume 4, p. 201</ref> This is the logical part, which finds reasons, shows what is a reason, and that a given reason is a correct one.<ref name="ritter201"/> This last part is necessary, but only on account of the second, which again is rendered necessary by the first.<ref>Epictetus, ''Discourses'', iii.2.1–6; ''Enchiridion'', 52</ref>