The Ethics of Philodemus

Abstract

This book presents a 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. The book 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, the book analyses central concepts in his moral psychology, notably: his conception of vices, which it compares with that of the virtues; his account of harmful or unacceptable emotions or passions; and his theory of corresponding acceptable emotions or ‘bites’. The book 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, the book 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 focus on certain vices and harmful emotions, including flattery, arrogance, greed, anger, and fear of death, as well as traits related to the administration of property and wealth.

Navigating the Biocosmos: Cornerstones of a Bioeconomic Utopia

“…The ancient Greeks saw nature as a source of abundance that, if economized well, would sustain the needs of the household members and produce surplus. "Natural and necessary desires [needs] are easy to satisfy, and their fulfilment is all that the philosopher needs in order to pursue his way of life" (Epicurus as quoted in [166] (p. 182)).…”

sobre el significado de ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ en los comentarios sobre música de Filodemo

“…Sobre este tema, que no pretendo desarrollar aquí, puede verse Annas (1994) yTsouna (2007).20 Para el caso de las virtudes, considérese el siguiente pasaje sobre la justicia (ΥΠΜ 138 12-21): "no es concebible que sonidos que movilizan sólo al oído, que es ἄλογος, contribuyan en algo a una disposición del alma que juzga teóricamente (πρὸς διάθεσιν ψυχῆς θεωρητικὴν) sobre las cosas ventajosas y desventajosas para nuestra mutua convivencia política" (itálicas mías).21 Esta cuestión excede el presente artículo. Me limito a señalar que Filodemo coincide sin duda con la tesis negativa del formalismo, a saber, que la música no representa nada externo a sí misma.…”