Adventure time with epictetus and the stoics
by ethan wedge
Epictetus (55-135 AD) was a Stoic philosopher who contributed primarily to Stoic ethics
and methods of teaching. He focused on human qualities like integrity, self-management, and
personal freedom. Epictetus connected these to two central ideas: volition, the ability to make
one’s own decisions, and the correct use of impressions, meaning how one determines and
differentiates multiple points of view or aspects of the world (impressions). While these were his
primary and most renowned ideas, Epictetus had a set of “aphorisms” in his book, The
Enchiridion of Epictetus that was directly referred to in a popular TV show today, Adventure
Time. These aphorisms, or as he refers to them, The Three Topoi, are principles to live by. His
work is very extensive and he is an influential Stoic philosopher.
Adventure Time (2007-Present) is an animated show on Cartoon Network. It is about Finn
the Human and his friend/ adoptive brother Jake the Dog. They live in a post-apocalyptic land
called Ooo and they are primarily heroes of the land. They have many adventures and they fight
crime in Ooo. The show has been widely acclaimed and many believe it is a show that appeals to
everyone, due to its unique humor, characters, and plot. Adventure Time is currently in its 6th
season and is still thriving.
In the episode “Puhoy” (S5, E16, 2013), Finn is sad because of some lady problems.
The show opens on Finn, sitting and looking very pensive and sad. BMO and Jake are building a
large, complex pillow fort and they are trying to cheer him up. When asked what is wrong, Finn
begins explaining how he told Flame Princess, his girlfriend, a joke and she didn’t laugh at all.
BMO and Jake assure him that things are alright and maybe she didn’t get it just yet. Jake goes
on to say that Finn is worrying about problems that don’t even exist yet and he shouldn’t worry
about these imaginary struggles. He then demonstrates this idea by grabbing his favorite cup and
throwing it out the window:
You're getting all hung up, all hung up on imaginary problems. You gotta focus on what's
real, man. [Grabs a cup.] You see this cup? This is literally my favorite cup. [He throws it
through the window, shattering the window.] Now it's gone forever. So it's not real, and I
don't care about it anymore.
This quote from Jake the Dog directly refers to the Third Topoi in The Enchiridion of Epictetus.
The Third Topoi speaks of the correct use of impressions in the sense that one should know what
is real and have a firm grasp of it. One should not fret on something that does not exist. In this
case Finn is worrying that Flame Princess is mad at her because of a tiny little thing when she
actually is not, and they are fine. In reality, there is no problem yet Finn still worries. Jake uses
this philosophical concept to help out his friend in an episode that now seems to have more
meaning than before.
Adventure Time is known for its plot and appeal to all ages but there has always been
deeper meaning in its episodes. The writers of AT must realize the importance of philosophy and
decided to incorporate it into their show. Not only is there a direct reference to Epictetus in
Puhoy, but throughout the show there are references to other deep concepts like ethics, existence,
and there is even a legendary book called “The Enchiridion”. This philosophical influence in a
popular TV show reflects the recognition and importance of philosophy to mankind.
and methods of teaching. He focused on human qualities like integrity, self-management, and
personal freedom. Epictetus connected these to two central ideas: volition, the ability to make
one’s own decisions, and the correct use of impressions, meaning how one determines and
differentiates multiple points of view or aspects of the world (impressions). While these were his
primary and most renowned ideas, Epictetus had a set of “aphorisms” in his book, The
Enchiridion of Epictetus that was directly referred to in a popular TV show today, Adventure
Time. These aphorisms, or as he refers to them, The Three Topoi, are principles to live by. His
work is very extensive and he is an influential Stoic philosopher.
Adventure Time (2007-Present) is an animated show on Cartoon Network. It is about Finn
the Human and his friend/ adoptive brother Jake the Dog. They live in a post-apocalyptic land
called Ooo and they are primarily heroes of the land. They have many adventures and they fight
crime in Ooo. The show has been widely acclaimed and many believe it is a show that appeals to
everyone, due to its unique humor, characters, and plot. Adventure Time is currently in its 6th
season and is still thriving.
In the episode “Puhoy” (S5, E16, 2013), Finn is sad because of some lady problems.
The show opens on Finn, sitting and looking very pensive and sad. BMO and Jake are building a
large, complex pillow fort and they are trying to cheer him up. When asked what is wrong, Finn
begins explaining how he told Flame Princess, his girlfriend, a joke and she didn’t laugh at all.
BMO and Jake assure him that things are alright and maybe she didn’t get it just yet. Jake goes
on to say that Finn is worrying about problems that don’t even exist yet and he shouldn’t worry
about these imaginary struggles. He then demonstrates this idea by grabbing his favorite cup and
throwing it out the window:
You're getting all hung up, all hung up on imaginary problems. You gotta focus on what's
real, man. [Grabs a cup.] You see this cup? This is literally my favorite cup. [He throws it
through the window, shattering the window.] Now it's gone forever. So it's not real, and I
don't care about it anymore.
This quote from Jake the Dog directly refers to the Third Topoi in The Enchiridion of Epictetus.
The Third Topoi speaks of the correct use of impressions in the sense that one should know what
is real and have a firm grasp of it. One should not fret on something that does not exist. In this
case Finn is worrying that Flame Princess is mad at her because of a tiny little thing when she
actually is not, and they are fine. In reality, there is no problem yet Finn still worries. Jake uses
this philosophical concept to help out his friend in an episode that now seems to have more
meaning than before.
Adventure Time is known for its plot and appeal to all ages but there has always been
deeper meaning in its episodes. The writers of AT must realize the importance of philosophy and
decided to incorporate it into their show. Not only is there a direct reference to Epictetus in
Puhoy, but throughout the show there are references to other deep concepts like ethics, existence,
and there is even a legendary book called “The Enchiridion”. This philosophical influence in a
popular TV show reflects the recognition and importance of philosophy to mankind.