PHILOSOPHY IN THE REPUBLIC
Greek Background
"PreSocratic" Philosophers
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Milesian philosophers: cosmology
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Heraclitus: Zen-like paradox
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Pythagoras: music, math, mysticism
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Democritus/Leucippus: atomism
Socrates (d. 399 BC)
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Emphasis on ethics (vs. science)
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Philosopher as moral exemplar
Plato & Aristotle (4th c. BC)
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Philosophical systems
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Schools (Academy, Lyceum)
Hellenistic Schools
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Stoicism
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Epicureanism
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Cynicism
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Skepticism
Philosophy at Rome
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Supplies ethical element religion lacks
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Philosopher as moral authority
Greek Philosophers
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Stoics
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Philodemus: Epicurean
Aristocrats as Adherents/Patrons
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Stoic: e.g. Cato the Younger, Brutus
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Epicurean: e.g. Calpurnius Piso, Cassius
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modified Scepticism: Cicero
Philosophy in Latin
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Cicero
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On the Nature of the Gods
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On Duties
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On Friendship
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On Old Age ... etc.
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Lucretius, On the Nature of Things
Stoicism
Zeno (335-263) & Chrysippus (c. 280-207)
Stoic < stoa (= colonnade where Stoics met)
Basic principles
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Individual as philosophic focus
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Virtue good: emotions bad
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Determinist universe: all events fated ... but allowing exercise
of free-will.
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Cyclical destruction of world by fire
Epicureanism
Founded by Epicurus (341-270)
Sources
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Epicurus's own writings
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Inscription of Diogenes of Oenoanda
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Lucretius, "On the Nature of Things"
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Herculaneum papyri
Doctrines
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World = random atoms (< Democritus)
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Gods exist, but do nothing
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No life after death
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Effort to minimize pain & achieve ataraxia
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