I’m not one to argue with Epictetus, but I don’t believe Stoicism is the most appropriate philosophy to apply at this point. While we shouldn’t subject ourselves to internal worry at the conduct of others, we should respond to conduct that harms the good of others, just as we should respond to the actions of thieves or murderers. Utilitarianism or maybe just compassion would seem to be more suitable.
We are all connected to others in a kind of “essential network” that is outside of our normal control (we have to buy groceries, etc.). But when we add an inessential contact with only one friend (per person per household) we exponentially increase the possible danger of infection to the overall society:
UW team illustrates the adverse impact of visiting ‘just one friend’ during COVID-19 lockdown
So just one irresponsible jogger can endanger hundreds or thousands of others. Worthy of concern, in my view.
But utilitarianism and compassion aren’t incompatible with stoicism. Pardon the use of an indirect source here, but I’m too busy to consult the works of Epictetus themselves:
In our relations with other people we are to be governed by the attitudes Epictetus calls “modesty” (aidōs) and “love of humanity”(philanthrōpia). Modesty consists in an awareness of the perspective of others and a readiness to curtail one’s own unseemly behavior; love of humanity is a willingness to exert oneself on others’ behalf.
