Epicurus' human beings : beyond person and self / Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hirschi, Solmeng-Jonas, author.

Series:

Oxford classical monographs

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Epicurus. Epistula ad Pythoclem.

Epicurus.

Epicurus. Letter to Menoeceus.

Epicurus. Letter to Herodotus.

Human beings--Philosophy.

Human beings.

Letter to Herodotus (Epicurus).

Letter to Menoeceus (Epicurus).

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations.

illustration

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2026]

Summary:

Epicurus' philosophical project is predicated on its eudaimonistic efficacy. His letters and maxims not only describe a way of life but also instantiate his practice of care and reform. To memorise and understand them is meant to actually advance one's capacity to reach and maintain a state of ataraxia, i.e. the absence of troubles. They are written and designed to have an impact. Thus, to read Epicurus solely as a theoretical philosopher is to turn a blind eye to his agenda. In this book, Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi advocates a stronger reading that takes Epicurus' intentions at face value. It brings the doctrine closer to its application, through an examination of the readers and intended practitioners of Epicurus' philosophy: human beings. The main corpus of this study consists of the three letters and the doctrines written by Epicurus as transmitted by Diogenes Laertius in book 10 of the Lives of Eminent Philosophers.

Contents:

Cover

Epicurus' Human Beings : Beyond Person and Self

Copyright

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Contents

List of Frequent Abbreviations

Introduction

1: Letter to Menoeceus

1.1. General Observations

1.1.1. In a State of Action

1.1.2. Trusting Truth

1.2. Textual Observations

1.2.1. Second-Person Deixis

1.2.2. Third-Person Deixis

1.2.3. First-Person Deixis

1.3. Conclusion

2: Letter to Herodotus

2.1. General Observations

2.1.1. Starting from Us

2.1.2. Free to Take

2.1.3. Limiting Everyone

2.2. Textual Observations.

4.1. Preliminary Remarks

4.1.1. Authenticity: The Authorial Deception Again (and Again)

4.1.2. Gnomology: Listing Matter(s)?

4.1.3. The Title: Words of Power

4.2. General Observations

4.2.1. Structure and Order: A Deliberate Chaos

4.2.2. If Not, Why Not?

4.2.3. Suggestion Box Philosophy?

4.3. Textual Observations

4.3.1. First- and Second-Person Deixis

4.3.2. Third-Person Deixis

4.4. Conclusion

Appendix Ad Matrem

General Conclusions

Bibliography

Index of Passages Cited

General Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (Oxford Academic, viewed on October 9, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version: Hirschi, Solmeng-Jonas. Epicurus' human beings.

ISBN:

9780191976605

0191976601

9780192882080

0192882082

OCLC:

1570330265

Publisher Number:

CIPO000344443

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license