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Discourses · Chapter II.25
Epictetus · Book II

Chapter II.25

How is logic necessary?

1

When someone in his audience said, Convince me that logic is necessary, he answered: Do you wish me to demonstrate this to you?—Yes.—Well, then, must I use a demonstrative argument?—And when the questioner had agreed to that, Epictetus asked him. How, then, will you know if I impose upon you?—As the man had no answer to give, Epictetus said: Do you see how you yourself admit that all this instruction is necessary, if, without it, you cannot so much as know whether it is necessary or not?

Epictetus, Discourses, Chapter II.25, translated by W. A. Oldfather (1925–1928). The Stoic Library.