Apatheia (ἀπάθεια)

apatheia • ah-pah-THEY-ah
Greek Ethics Browse A

Meaning

Freedom from destructive passions (pathē) achieved through the rule of reason.

In practice: Not emotional numbness, but mastery over irrational impulses.

Examples & notes

  • Epictetus presents apatheia as a condition of inner freedom.
  • Apatheia allows emotions to arise without enslaving judgment.

Seen in

Epictetus Marcus Aurelius

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