University:
California State University, Northridge
Course:
PHIL 201 | Ancient Philosophy
Academic year:

2010
Views:

235

Pages:

1
Author:

Nadia Crane

EPICUREANISM (Lucretius) THE SOUL: material and a component entity ACTIVITY: sense experience is the only reality END: dissolution into constituent atoms, end of consciousness, "sleep" without dreams, no afterlife GODS: Gods exist but don't care about the world, they did not create the world, so should not be feared. Gods are unconcerned with human affairs. Tendency toward atheism since materialism is in accordance with Nature's designs. Total involvement of necessary and human activities. UNIVERSE: The Universe is the result of random combinations of atoms into forms, elements, and existing matter. The Universe will end when one element (earth, air, fire, water) totally dominates. This will be a continuous flux of elements. CIVILIZATION: Evolutionary view; humans started as individuals and formed complex societies for self-protection and mutual security. Social Contract. Law is the result of arrangements made from time to time and place to place. Another view prevents excess of wealth. True happiness comes from a simple life and contented mind. VIRTUE: ATARAXIA (freedom from disturbance); disassociation from entanglements of society and the body. Suppression of sensual desires. Emancipation from fear of death. True religion is contemplation of all things with a peaceful mind. Pleasure is not physical, comes from the mind. STOICISM (Cicero) THE SOUL: spiritual part of the human ACTIVITY: Economic "Nature" dictates what can be separated from the material END: separation from body to an uppermost sphere, continued consciousness GODS: Zeus-Nature. Reverence towards pantheon. All that happens is necessary, in accordance with Nature's eternal laws. That movement is reason, and human service. UNIVERSE: The cyclical conflagration and recreation, no final end, no beginning. The universe consists of four elements: fire, air, earth, and water. The place of the soul is in the Nature's sphere and its destiny is to be absorbed in the Nature. CIVILIZATION: Rational code of conduct and selfless service of fellow men in whom the divine spark burns. Classiness for one, happiness for all. Laws are universal, not out of every individual's inheritance. VIRTUE: DUTY toward fellow human beings. Moderation in all things. Justice regulates relations between individuals. Justice is Nature, and each soul part of nature. All can be just through rational thought about divine justice. Reward for virtues is becoming a god.