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Patient-Relativity and the Efficacy of Epicurean Therapy

Augustin, Michael J.
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Abstract

According to Epicurus, philosophy’s sole task is to ensure the well-being of the soul. Human souls are often riddled with diseases; the most serious are the fear of the gods and the fear of death. Thus, the Epicureans offered several arguments designed to demonstrate that, for instance, “death is nothing to us,” and should therefore not be feared. Since their creation there has been much discussion, both in antiquity and by contemporary philosophers, about these arguments. In this thesis, I argue that Epicurean philosophical arguments are patient-relative; they necessarily adapt themselves so as to be therapeutically effective for their intended audience. The end result is that when we evaluate Epicurean philosophical arguments, we must do so in light of the audience for whom they were intended.

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Date
2011-04-20
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Research Projects
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Keywords
Epicurus, Lucretius, Philodemus, Death, Philosophy, Epicureanism, Ancient philosophy
Citation
Augustin, Michael J.. "Patient-Relativity and the Efficacy of Epicurean Therapy." 2011. Thesis, Georgia State University. https://doi.org/10.57709/2556513
Embargo Lift Date
2012-02-22
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