Ancient Rome and Roman Philosophical Paradigms

Vocabulary flashcards covering notes on Ancient Rome and the three primary Roman philosophical paradigms: Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Skepticism.

Ancient Greece vs. Ancient Rome

Greece was known as a place of Art, whereas Rome was known as a place of Empire.

Orator-statesman

Potential leaders in Ancient Rome who were trained in rhetoric and military tactics.

Epicurean Paradigm

A Roman paradigm asserting that pleasure is life's chief good, distinguishing between natural and vain pleasures, challenging Plato, and acquiring knowledge through empiricism or sensory data.

Stoic Paradigm

A Roman paradigm asserting that virtue is life's chief good, emphasizing correct moral conduct, shifting to monotheism with a Stoic God determining fate, and acquiring knowledge from deduction.

Skeptic Paradigm

A Roman paradigm asserting that doubt is the chief good, knowledge is impossible, nothing can ever be true (only plausible), and focusing on questioning everything and the accepted truths of other philosophies.

Natural Pleasures

In Epicureanism, essential pleasures such as food.

Vain Pleasures

In Epicureanism, non-essential pleasures such as fame.

Empiricism (Epicurean)

The source of knowledge in Epicureanism, based on sensory data and challenging Plato's views.

Deduction (Stoic)

The method by which knowledge is obtained according to Stoic philosophy.

Skeptic View of Truth

The belief that nothing can ever be true, knowledge is impossible, and things can only be plausible.