The ethics of Philodemus / Voula Tsouna.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tsouna, Voula.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Philodemus, approximately 110 B.C.-approximately 40 B.C--Ethics.

Philodemus.

Philodemus, approximately 110 B.C.-approximately 40 B.C.

Ethics.

Physical Description:

xiii, 350 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2007.

Summary:

Voula Tsouna presents a comprehensive study of the ethics of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, who taught Virgil, influenced Horace, and was praised by Cicero. His works have only recently become available to modern readers, through the decipherment of a papyrus carbonized by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Tsouna examines Philodemus' theoretical principles in ethics, his contributions to moral psychology, his method, his conception of therapy, and his therapeutic techniques. Part I begins with an outline of the fundamental principles of Philodemus' ethics in connection with the canonical views of the Epicurean school and highlights his own original contributions. In addition to examining central features of Philodemus' hedonism, Tsouna analyses central concepts in his moral psychology: notably, his conception of vices, which she compares with that of the virtues; his account of harmful or unacceptable emotions or passions; and his theory of corresponding acceptable emotions or 'bites'. She then turns to an investigation of Philodemus' conception of philosophy as medicine and of the philosopher as a kind of doctor for the soul. By surveying his methods of treatment, Tsouna determines the place that they occupy in the therapeutics of the Hellenistic era. Part II uses the theoretical framework provided in Part I to analyse Philodemus' main ethical writings. The works considered include: On Characters and Ways of Life, On Vices and the Opposite Virtues, and On the Passions.

Contents:

1 First Things 13

2 Vices, Emotions, and 'Bites' 32

3 Analysis and Treatment: Methodological and Epistemological Prolegomena 52

4 Therapeutic Tactics 74

5 Frank Speech 91

6 Flattery and the Desire to Please 126

7 Arrogance and Related Vices 143

8 Wealth and Property Management 163

9 Anger and the Desire for Revenge 195

10 The Fear of Death 239.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9780199292172

0199292175

OCLC:

123797292