Epictetus 3.23.33 and the three modes of philosophical instruction

Abstract

In Epictetus 3. 23. 33 the original reading of the codex unicus Bodleianus Auct. T. 4. 13, is certainly corrupt. All the editions accept the reading which is a correction by a later corrector of Bodleianus Auct. T. 4. 13. It is shown that this reading is to be rejected because is equivalent to the immediately preceding and because it leads to unsurmountable discrepancies with the closely related passage 3. 21. 19. As an alternative for, the emendation is proposed: with this reading all problems disappear. The new reading has important consequences for the evaluation of Epictetus' educational system.