When1: -310
When2: -280
Who: Epicurus
What: philosopher
Where: Samos, Ionia/Athens, Greece
works\ On Nature [-310 to -280]; Letter to Herodotus [-310 to -280]; Letter to Pythocles [-310 to -280]; Letter to Menoeceus [-310 to -280]; Principal Sayings [-310 to -280]; Vatican Fragments [-310 to -280]
Detail: He lived -341 to -270 and founded Epicurean School at the Garden [-306].
Ethics
Soul pleasures contemplate thoughts and expect bodily pleasures. They are more valuable than bodily pleasures alone. The ideal pleasure is freedom from distraction, which people can achieve by philosophy study and mind control, to achieve a happy life.
Fear of supernatural is distraction. Natural and physical mind and soul explanations remove fear of supernatural.
Prudence and self-control are good.
The private life is best.
Belief in determinism disallows criticism of people that do not believe in determinism, because both beliefs have predetermination {Epicurean objection}.
Metaphysics
Reality is only different atoms forming and disintegrating into different groups by motions in empty space. Atoms and universe are eternal.
Mind
Body and mind unify in special atoms. No afterlife exists.
Will
Chance, and will's free choice, show that nature has uncaused events. Will's free choice is the only explanation of good and evil, because God is surely able to remove evil from the world.
Social Sciences>Philosophy>History>Mind
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Date Modified: 2022.0224