Theory and Practice in Epicurean Political Philosophy

Security, Justice and Tranquility

Javier Aoiz,Marcelo D. Boeri

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2023
• ISBN:
  9781350346567
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Philosophie
• Subtopic: Philosophie ancienne et classique

The opponents of Epicureanism in antiquity, including Cicero, Plutarch and Lactantius, succeeded in establishing a famous cliché: the theoretical and practical disinterest of Epicurus and the Epicureans in political communities. However, this anti-Epicurean literature did not provide considerations of Epicurean political theory or the testimonies about Epicurean lifestyle. The purpose of this book is to shed light on the contribution of Epicurean thought to political life in the ancient world. Incorporating the most up-to-date material, including papyri which have been recovered from Herculaneum, documents of Greek epigraphy and the prosopography of the Roman Epicureans, this volume will bring to the foreground new testimonies surrounding the public activities of the Epicureans. In this way, the reader will learn that Epicurean political theory is, in fact, a crucial ingredient of its philosophy. As a result, this connection creates an ongoing dialogue with the Greek philosophical tradition, revealing the presence of Plato in the Epicurean philosophy.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Notes on the Texts and Translations
• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction
• 1 The Genealogy of Justice and Laws in Epicureanism
• 2 The City, the Natural Good and the Epicurean Promise of Security
• 3 Preconception, Justice and Usefulness in the Epicurean Contractual Political Model
• 4 Cicero, Plutarch and Lactantius as Readers of Epicureanism
• 5 The Epicurean Sage, the Issue of Justice and the Laws
• 6 The Greek Poleis, Rome and Its Illustrious Epicurean Citizens
• 7 Conclusions. Friendship, Law and Justice: The Epicureans and their Interest in Interpersonal Relations
• Notes
• References
• General Index
• Index Locorum
• Copyright