Acceptance of Reality
In all the text, Epictetus seems primarily concerned that his readers accept reality. He begins the book with a statement about the power of the individual over certain spheres and utter lack of power in others. Lest someone try and take control over something outside of their power, Arrian warns that all attention must be devoted to the appropriate spheres. By focusing solely on the mind, the mental areas subject to oneself, the individual can perfect themselves to be an observer of all the rest. Things like reputation and relationships are subject to outside forces which the individual cannot truly control. In response to these often blurred lines of authority, Arrian urges his readers continually to observe external reality as accurately as possible. He wants the reader to be able to describe with perfect precision any circumstance to which they have been subjected, without rendering judgement. Only through the commitment to this acceptance of reality can the individual free himself or herself completely.
Practice
Epictetus is concerned with rapid growth. He continually urges his readers to practice the precepts of this text. Comparing the stoic to the athlete training for the Olympics, he illustrates the necessity of daily practice. In Arrian's opinion, daily decisions are the deciding factor of one's progress, so he advocates for a continual vigilance. Pay attention to each detail, describing it with accuracy. After years of training, the stoic may achieve mastery in his mind, which is the ultimate goal, according to Epictetus, because it is the only sphere of control in which the individuals may exert power legitimately while still retaining mental health.
Human Progress
As hinted in his overall discourse, Arrian hopes that through the rise of stoicism mankind may progress toward some more advanced version of human. Evolution is not an idea yet introduced to the culture when he is writing, but he definitely aligns himself with the moral of human progress. Arrian appears to believe in the untapped, infinite potential of the human mind. Through devoted practice of mastering one's own mind and of accepting reality as an exterior force, he hopes that humans as a collective can develop into the next stage of progress. He's speaking to individuals en mass because the human progress depends upon the development of the brain, which must be accomplished by each individual.
