Kimasomaso (English stoicism for evasion of responsibility) pt. 2

In part 1, we looked at stoicism as a function of a powerful aggressor in being cold and apathetic to evade responsibility for inflicting pain.

Kimasomaso - pretence:

Kufanya kimasomaso - to try to get out of a difficult argument, tight corner by trickery, e.g. by pretending not to understand or to have forgotten.

Zuzu - imbecile, fool, idiot, blockhead, simpleton.

Zuzuwaa - sink into oblivion, be foolish/stupid.

In English, an equivalent phrase is ‘playing dumb’.

To pretend to be dumb, whether

1. To feign muteness.

2. To feign stupidity or ignorance of some knowledge, usually in order to avoid responsibility or gain some advantage.

In part 2, we combine that with Stoicism being also a function of an oppressed entity in being cold and apathetic to his own pain.

Stoicism: The consensus of the master and the slave

The aim of the idea of stoicism is achieving a state of serenity; unbothered and untouched by events in one’s environment. It implies that the goal of human existence is achieving maximum pleasure and minimum pain. The key to the consensus between the master and slave could be defined as maximum pleasure for the master and minimum pain for the slave. To achieve this, zero reaction to stimuli is expected from both master and slave. They both have to be cold and apathetic.

It is very illustrative that the foremost philosophers of stoicism were Epictetus (a slave), and Marcus Aurelius (a Roman emperor).

Epictetus is usually portrayed with clutches by his side. It is often narrated that his leg was broken by his owner. In an unverified story narrated by the Christian theologian Origen, praising Epictetus’ presumed logic and wit, it is claimed that:

“Epictetus had a sadistic slave owner who at one time was twisting his leg. As the owner continued to twist Epictetus’ leg, Epictetus said, smiling and unmoved “if you continue to twist, you will break my leg”. The sadistic owner continued to twist and finally a cracking sound came out as the leg broke. Epictetus looked at his sadistic owner and said, “I told you it would break”.

The consensus works by blocking revulsion on the part of the person committing evil and blocking sensible reaction on the part of the person on whom evil is being committed. An automatic technique in maintaining evil status quo.

 

References

TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.