Final answer:
Epictetus believed freedom and happiness derive from living a virtuous life, not from seeking power and riches, which are not directly controllable. Enlightenment thinkers refuted the notion of finite wealth and suggested wealth creation through trade and innovation could be infinite. Socrates considered the health of the soul and virtues as the most significant elements of a good life.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Epictetus, a prominent Stoic philosopher, freedom and happiness are attainable through living a life of virtue and wisdom. This is in contrast to the pursuit of power and riches, which are external and not under our control, therefore they can lead to dissatisfaction and turmoil. Epictetus and other Stoics believe that externals should not be the primary focus of one's life; instead, inner virtues and moral character should drive one's pursuit of a good life. The Stoic view is that true happiness comes from within and is the result of self-mastery and living by nature. Consequently, aiming for both freedom and happiness, alongside power and riches, is generally seen as contradictory in Epictetian philosophy.
Enlightenment thinkers did, indeed, reject the mercantilist idea that wealth is finite, proposing instead that wealth could be created. This shift in thinking laid the groundwork for modern economic theories and practices. They believed that through trade, innovation, and the division of labor, societies could increase their wealth beyond the zero-sum game perceived by mercantilism. Moreover, on the topic of Socrates, valued the health of the soul above all material or physical concerns. Socrates argued that harm to one's character is more significant than death because the soul and one's virtues are permanent, while life is transient. If the soul is corrupted, the very essence of what it means to live a good life is compromised, according to Socrates.