Liberation movements such as the civil rights movement of the 1960s or India's independence from England are excellent references in the method of achieving freedom and to see what freedom means to different types of people. To further understand the previously mentioned movements or other liberation events, a philosophical understanding of freedom is essential. As a rubric, if you will, Epictetus and John Stuart Mill both contributed significantly to the understanding of freedom. Both philosophers lived in very different times, thus providing different interpretations of freedom. However, both reacted to their experiences to lay the foundation for their interpretation. Mill's interaction with Victorian social reform and Epictetus' experience as a slave, each experience provided distinction to the interpretation of freedom. With all this in mind, both philosophers emphasize the belief that individuals prematurely have the ability to choose to be happy, and this happens by acting in the realm of freedom. To fully understand both interpretations of freedom it is necessary to analyze The Handbook by Epictetus and Liberty by John Stuart Mill. Starting from Epictetus, The Handbook, in a nutshell the book illustrates how to be free and happy despite life's obstacles. The implicit semi-pessimistic and deterministic atmosphere of the book is due to Epictetus' experience as a slave. Particularly the permanent deformity resulting from being a slave; Epictetus' leg was intentionally broken by its owner, leaving him limping in his walk. He later moved to Greece from Rome and opened a school, this is where his philosophy was archived by a student. It is clear that Epictetus' interpretation of freedom is centered on the internal context... at the center of the paper... ran counter to Mill's beliefs; he had to be careful about his response to the reform. As mentioned, Epictetus' experience as a slave is described in his philosophy. As a slave, his life was determined for him and there was little to no independence. Worrying or acting on things out of one's control would cause distress, so belief in a deity can be interpreted as a coping method. In summary, the context had a great impact on both philosophers' method of understanding freedom because they saw in terms of personal matters. In conclusion, Mill and Epictetus are not in philosophical harmony, but both responded in terms of times and experiences. Consequently, when it comes to understanding freedom, these philosophies complement each other because they both address different components of freedom. Consequently, we can attempt to produce a synthesis for freedom.