Was Epictetus Practicing Motivational Interviewing?

 I was reading Epictetus’s Discourses this morning when I had the thought: “This sounds a little like motivational interviewing.”

In Book 2, Chapter 12, Epictetus challenges philosophers who become frustrated when someone doesn’t understand them. If your response is to ridicule the person or dismiss their ability to learn, he suggests, perhaps you need to examine your own ability to guide.

He compares it to finding someone who has lost their way. A helpful guide shows them the path. Insulting them and walking away doesn’t accomplish much. 

Sound familiar?

For those of us who practice motivational interviewing, there’s a recognizable connection and an interesting parallel: stay curious, preserve dignity, and help people explore their own understanding. MI draws out a person’s reasons for change within a relationship rooted in acceptance, compassion, and respect for their choices. 

Epictetus also praises Socrates for helping people recognize contradictions in their own thinking while remaining calm and avoiding insults. There’s an invitation here for anyone who coaches, supervises, teaches, or supports recovery: pay attention to how you’re participating in the conversation.  

There is an important distinction to make also. Epictetus’s philosopher is helping someone arrive at what the philosopher understands to be true. MI emphasizes a shared direction and the person’s freedom to choose. Asking questions that maneuver someone toward your preferred answer can undermine that partnership.  

Still, the parallel offers a useful reminder across the centuries. When a conversation gets difficult, we can pause, examine our approach, and make room for the other person’s thinking.

A question for your next helping conversation: Am I making room for discovery or getting impatient because they haven’t reached my conclusion?