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Single Idea 12044
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / c. Purpose denied
]
Full Idea
Epicurus alone among the ancient schools denies that in nature we find any teleological explanations. Nothing in nature is for anything, neither the world as a whole nor anything in it.
Gist of Idea
Only Epicurus denied purpose in nature, for the whole world, or for its parts
Source
report of Epicurus (fragments/reports [c.289 BCE]) by Julia Annas - Ancient Philosophy: very short introduction
Book Ref
Annas,Julia: 'Ancient Philosophy: a very short introduction' [OUP 2000], p.89
A Reaction
This may explain the controversial position that epicureanism held in the seventeenth century, as well as its incipient atheism.
The
101 ideas
from Epicurus
14027
|
If we are to use words in enquiry, we need their main, unambiguous and uncontested meanings
[Epicurus]
|
14028
|
Nothing comes to be from what doesn't exist
[Epicurus]
|
14029
|
If disappearing things went to nothingness, nothing could return, and it would all be gone by now
[Epicurus]
|
14030
|
The totality is complete, so there is no room for it to change, and nothing extraneous to change it
[Epicurus]
|
14031
|
Space must exist, since movement is obvious, and there must be somewhere to move in
[Epicurus]
|
14032
|
Totality has no edge; an edge implies a contrast beyond the edge, and there can't be one
[Epicurus]
|
14033
|
Bodies are unlimited as well as void, since the two necessarily go together
[Epicurus]
|
14034
|
There exists an infinity of each shape of atom, but the number of shapes is beyond our knowledge
[Epicurus]
|
14035
|
Atoms just have shape, size and weight; colour results from their arrangement
[Epicurus]
|
14036
|
There are endless cosmoi, some like and some unlike this one
[Epicurus]
|
6010
|
Illusions are not false perceptions, as we accurately perceive the pattern of atoms
[Epicurus, by Modrak]
|
14037
|
Atoms only have shape, weight and size, and the properties which accompany shape
[Epicurus]
|
14038
|
There cannot be unlimited division, because it would reduce things to non-existence
[Epicurus]
|
14039
|
Above and below us will never appear to be the same, because it is inconceivable
[Epicurus]
|
14040
|
Observation and applied thought are always true
[Epicurus]
|
14041
|
The soul is fine parts distributed through the body, resembling hot breath
[Epicurus]
|
14042
|
The soul cannot be incorporeal, because then it could neither act nor be acted upon
[Epicurus]
|
14043
|
The void cannot interact, but just gives the possibility of motion
[Epicurus]
|
14044
|
The perceived accidental properties of bodies cannot be conceived of as independent natures
[Epicurus]
|
14045
|
Accidental properties give a body its nature, but are not themselves bodies or parts of bodies
[Epicurus]
|
14046
|
A 'body' is a conception of an aggregate, with properties defined by application conditions
[Epicurus]
|
14047
|
Bodies have impermanent properties, and permanent ones which define its conceived nature
[Epicurus]
|
14048
|
Astronomical movements are blessed, but they don't need the help of the gods
[Epicurus]
|
14049
|
We aim to know the natures which are observed in natural phenomena
[Epicurus]
|
14050
|
We aim to dissolve our fears, by understanding their causes
[Epicurus]
|
14052
|
Begin philosophy when you are young, and keep going when you are old
[Epicurus]
|
14054
|
Fearing death is absurd, because we are not present when it occurs
[Epicurus]
|
14053
|
It is absurd to fear the pain of death when you are not even facing it
[Epicurus]
|
14055
|
The wisdom that produces a good life also produces a good death
[Epicurus]
|
1833
|
Pleasure is the first good in life
[Epicurus]
|
14056
|
We only need pleasure when we have the pain of desire
[Epicurus]
|
14057
|
All pleasures are good, but it is not always right to choose them
[Epicurus]
|
1835
|
True pleasure is not debauchery, but freedom from physical and mental pain
[Epicurus]
|
14058
|
Pleasure is the goal, but as lack of pain and calm mind, not as depraved or greedy pleasure
[Epicurus]
|
1836
|
Prudence is more valuable than philosophy, because it avoids confusions of the soul
[Epicurus]
|
14060
|
Prudence is the greatest good, and more valuable than philosophy, because it produces virtue
[Epicurus]
|
14059
|
The best life is not sensuality, but rational choice and healthy opinion
[Epicurus]
|
1837
|
We should not refer things to irresponsible necessity, but either to fortune or to our own will
[Epicurus]
|
14061
|
Our own choices are autonomous, and the basis for praise and blame
[Epicurus]
|
14062
|
Sooner follow mythology, than accept the 'fate' of natural philosophers
[Epicurus]
|
14063
|
Sooner a good decision going wrong, than a bad one turning out for the good
[Epicurus]
|
1828
|
God does not intervene in heavenly movements, but is beyond all action and perfectly happy
[Epicurus]
|
14051
|
A cosmos is a collection of stars and an earth, with some sort of boundary, movement and shape
[Epicurus]
|
21386
|
We should accept as explanations all the plausible ways in which something could come about
[Epicurus]
|
2639
|
Some say Epicurus only pretended to believe in the gods, so as not to offend Athenians
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
14527
|
If god answered prayers we would be destroyed, because we pray for others to suffer
[Epicurus]
|
6018
|
Epicurus was the first to see the free will problem, and he was a libertarian
[Epicurus, by Long/Sedley]
|
20922
|
Epicurus showed that the swerve can give free motion in the atoms
[Epicurus, by Diogenes of Oen.]
|
6035
|
Soul is made of four stuffs, giving warmth, rest, motion and perception
[Epicurus, by Aetius]
|
1820
|
The criteria of truth are senses, preconceptions and passions
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1821
|
Sensations cannot be judged, because similar sensations have equal value, and different ones have nothing in common
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1843
|
Friendship is by far the most important ingredient of a complete and happy life
[Epicurus]
|
2668
|
Epicurus says if one of a man's senses ever lies, none of his senses should ever be believed
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
4549
|
Epicurus denied knowledge in order to retain morality or hedonism as the highest values
[Nietzsche on Epicurus]
|
1487
|
When entering a dark room it is colourless, but colour gradually appears
[Epicurus]
|
14526
|
The rational soul is in the chest, and the non-rational soul is spread through the body
[Epicurus]
|
3562
|
Fine things are worthless if they give no pleasure
[Epicurus]
|
1909
|
How can pleasure or judgement occur in a heap of atoms?
[Sext.Empiricus on Epicurus]
|
7814
|
It was Epicurus who made the question of the will's freedom central to ethics
[Epicurus, by Grayling]
|
1840
|
Pleasure is the chief good because it is the most natural, especially for animals
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
3557
|
The end for Epicurus is static pleasure
[Epicurus, by Annas]
|
1839
|
Pains of the soul are worse than pains of the body, because it feels the past and future
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1842
|
Pleasures only differ in their duration and the part of the body affected
[Epicurus]
|
1482
|
If two people disagree over taste, who is right?
[Epicurus, by Plutarch]
|
1823
|
We can't seek for things if we have no idea of them
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1824
|
To name something, you must already have an idea of what it is
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1483
|
Bath water is too hot for some, too cold for others
[Epicurus, by Plutarch]
|
13291
|
Slavery to philosophy brings true freedom
[Epicurus]
|
22758
|
Philosophy aims at a happy life, through argument and discussion
[Epicurus]
|
14523
|
We should come to philosophy free from any taint of culture
[Epicurus]
|
22733
|
Epicurus accepted God in his popular works, but not in his writings on nature
[Epicurus, by Sext.Empiricus]
|
2670
|
Epicurus despises and laughs at the whole of dialectic
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
1484
|
We should say nothing of the whole if our contact is with the parts
[Epicurus, by Plutarch]
|
21668
|
Epicurus rejected excluded middle, because accepting it for events is fatalistic
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
21676
|
Epicureans say disjunctions can be true whiile the disjuncts are not true
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
1822
|
Reason can't judge senses, as it is based on them
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
14525
|
Stoics say time is incorporeal and self-sufficient; Epicurus says it is a property of properties of things
[Epicurus]
|
1845
|
Justice has no independent existence, but arises entirely from keeping contracts
[Epicurus]
|
1831
|
Wise men should partake of life even if they go blind
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
12044
|
Only Epicurus denied purpose in nature, for the whole world, or for its parts
[Epicurus, by Annas]
|
2637
|
For Epicureans gods are made of atoms, and are not eternal
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
2633
|
Epicurus saw that gods must exist, because nature has imprinted them on human minds
[Epicurus, by Cicero]
|
1829
|
A wise man would be happy even under torture
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
1841
|
We choose virtue because of pleasure, not for its own sake
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
|
20907
|
Democritus says atoms have size and shape, and Epicurus added weight
[Epicurus, by Ps-Plutarch]
|
21669
|
Atoms don't swerve by being struck, because they move in parallel, so the swerve is uncaused
[Cicero on Epicurus]
|
21680
|
What causes atomic swerves? Do they draw lots? What decides the size or number of swerves?
[Cicero on Epicurus]
|
14516
|
There is no necessity to live with necessity
[Epicurus]
|
22240
|
The aim of medicine is removal of sickness, and philosophy similarly removes our affections
[Epicurus]
|
5949
|
Epicurus says colours are relative to the eye, not intrinsic to bodies
[Epicurus, by Plutarch]
|
14524
|
Bodies are combinations of shape, size, resistance and weight
[Epicurus]
|
14517
|
We value our own character, whatever it is, and we should respect the characters of others
[Epicurus]
|
14518
|
In the study of philosophy, pleasure and knowledge arrive simultaneously
[Epicurus]
|
14513
|
Justice is a pledge of mutual protection
[Epicurus]
|
14519
|
It is a great good to show reverence for a wise man
[Epicurus]
|
3560
|
Justice is merely a contract about not harming or being harmed
[Epicurus]
|
14515
|
A law is not just if it is not useful in mutual associations
[Epicurus]
|
14520
|
It is small-minded to find many good reasons for suicide
[Epicurus]
|
14521
|
If everything is by necessity, then even denials of necessity are by necessity
[Epicurus]
|
3563
|
Pleasure and virtue entail one another
[Epicurus]
|
14522
|
What happens to me if I obtain all my desires, and what if I fail?
[Epicurus]
|