Epicurus' Ethical Theory: The Pleasures of Invulnerability

Phillip Mitsis

Published by Cornell University Press 2014

Epicurus' Ethical Theory

The Pleasures of Invulnerability

Phillip Mitsis

Volume 48 in the series Cornell Studies in Classical Philology

https://doi.org/10.7591/9780801466885

Overview
Contents

About this book

The ethical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-271 B.C.) is commonly taken to be narrowly egoistic, and there is ample evidence in his writings to support this view—for example, in his maxims on friendship, his emphasis on the utility of friends and his continual effort to link friendship and pleasure. By means of a comprehensive and penetrating examination of the main elements of Epicurean ethics Phillip Mitsis forces us to reevaluate this widely misunderstood figure in the history of philosophy. Measuring Epicurean doctrines against both their ancient and modern alternatives, Mitsis argues that Epicurus' hedonism, when properly understood in its original philosophical context, is a complex and significant ethical option.

Mitsis shows that Epicurus perceived, and brought forward in his writings, a series of conflicts between rival, though individually well founded, claims. Epicurus was ultimately unable to resolve these conflicts, Mitsis says, and therefore the Epicurean "system" cannot be regarded as a consistent whole. Looking closely at the surviving ancient evidence, Mitsis reconstructs the wider theoretical framework of particular Epicurean arguments and proposes new interpretations of Epicurus' accounts of pleasure, human action and responsibility, the virtues, and altruism. Woven through the exposition and criticism of Epicurean positions are illuminating references to later moral philosophers, from Hobbes and Mill to contemporary figures.

Author / Editor information

Phillip Mitsis is Associate Professor of Classics at Cornell University.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1. Pleasure, Happiness, and Desire Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
2. Justice and the Virtues Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	59
3. Friendship and Altruism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	98
4. Reason, Responsibility, and the Mechanisms of Freedom Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	129
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	167
Index Locorum Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	177
Index of Modern Scholars Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	182

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 198
Keywords: Ancient History & Classical Studies

eBook

Published: February 15, 2014
ISBN: 9780801466885