In his work "Discourses and Selected Writings," Epictetus emphasizes the importance of understanding people's actions through the lens of their judgments rather than common perceptions. He believes that the moral value of individuals' actions lies in their decisions and the reasoning behind them, suggesting that evaluations of others should be based on their internal thought processes rather than superficial attributes.
This perspective encourages deeper reflection on personal accountability and the complexities of human behavior. By focusing on judgments, we can recognize that actions deemed good or bad are shaped by the thought and intention behind them, leading to a more compassionate understanding of others' motivations.