Musonius Rufus — Lectures V & VI: On theory, practice, and training

[image: funerary relief (circa 500 BC) depicting wrestlers, Wikipedia]

One day Musonius Rufus, the first century Stoic who taught Epictetus, was having a conversation with his students. Someone asked whether he thought philosophical theory or practice was more effective, if one’s goal is to become a better person. He said:

Suppose that there are two physicians, one able to discourse very brilliantly about the art of medicine but having no experience in taking care of the sick, and the other quite incapable of speaking but experienced in treating his patients according to correct medical theory. Which one would you choose to attend you if you were ill? (V)

The answer to this rhetorical question is obvious. It is the practice, the results of what one does, that are of paramount importance, regardless of how articulately one may be able to speak about the subject matter. Musonius then gives another, similar example, asking his students to think about two sailors, one with a lot of experience navigating the waters, but unable to explain the principles of navigation. The second one being very eloquent, but with no actual experience on a boat. Once more, the choice is clear. Just in case his students were still not getting it, Musonius comes up with a third example, this time concerning two musicians. Now, how do we apply this to philosophy?

“Well, then,” said Musonius, “that being the case, in the matter of temperance and self-control, is it not much better to be self-controlled and temperate in all one’s actions than to be able to say what one ought to do?” (V)

However, Musonius also warns his students that theory is important. After all, it is the theory that drives the practice. It’s not important, therefore, to be able to speak about the theory — especially if one’s practice is lacking — but it is crucial to understand it, or one’s practice will certainly be lacking.