Read more
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 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.
List of contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Preface
- 1: First Things
- 2: Vices, Emotions, and 'Bites'
- 3: Analysis and Treatment: Methodological and Epistemological Prolegomena
- 4: Therapeutic Tactics
- 5: On Frank Speech
- 6: Flattery and the Desire to Please
- 7: Arrogance and Related Vices
- 8: Wealth and Property Management
- 9: Anger and the Desire for Revenge
- 10: The Fear of Death
- References
- Index Locorum
- General Index
About the author
Voula Tsouna is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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. Tsouna examines Philodemus's theoretical principles in ethics, his contributions to moral psychology, his method, his conception of therapy, and his therapeutic techniques.
Additional text
an immensely valuable basis for further work on Philodemus.
Report
Review from previous edition A fine book on important and challenging texts. I am grateful for the substantial benefits she has provided to scholars of Epicureanism. Polis: The Journal for Ancient Political Thought
