Is Epictetus's philosophy pessimistic?
Some may perceive a pessimism in my focus on what we cannot control. However, I see it as profoundly realistic and ultimately liberating. By acknowledging the limitations of our power over externals, we are freed from the anxieties and disappointments that arise from striving for the unattainable. This understanding allows us to cultivate gratitude for what we have and to act virtuously within the sphere of our own volition, which is where true flourishing lies.