Lecture for 12 March

Hedonism and Ethics

• Hedonism Focus: Discussion on pleasure vs. pain.

  • Pleasure is seen as good; the absence of pain equates to freedom from distress.

  • Epicurean defense against the criticism of hedonism as primitive or overly indulgent.

Epicurus' Perspective on Pleasure and Pain

• Pleasure Defined: Not merely indulgence, but relief from pain and anxiety.

• Balance in Actions: Avoiding extremes in virtues (like bravery) to prevent pain.

  • Example: Too much bravery leads to recklessness, causing pain. Too little leads to cowardice and anxiety.

• Mental vs. Physical Pain: Distinguishes how mental pleasure can outweigh physical discomfort.

• Personal Anecdote: Memorable dining experience demonstrates fleeting physical pleasure compared to enduring mental pleasure from memory.

Mental vs. Physical Pleasure

• Lasting Impact of Mental Pleasure: Memories provide ongoing joy, contrasting with the short-lived nature of physical pleasures like a meal.

• Overcoming Physical Pain: Mental experiences can help alleviate physical discomfort, demonstrated by Epicurus during his suffering.

• Impact of Long-term Physical Pain: Raises questions about how Epicurus's philosophy applies to chronic conditions today.

Sources of Mental Pain According to Epicurus

1. Fear of God:

   • Ancient fears based on divine intervention and interpretations of events as punishments from gods.

   • Present-day implications of fear stemming from belief in divine judgment (e.g., fear of hell).

   • Notion that false interpretations of deities contribute to mental anguish.

2. Fear of Death:

   • Materialist View: Death equated with nonexistence and absence of sensation; not inherently bad if it cannot be experienced.

   • Analyzes why death is perceived as fearsome; likens it to dreamless sleep, suggesting it's not frightening if it simply ends existence.

   • Promotes contemplation of death as part of life to alleviate fears.

   • Lucretius' Argument: Reflect on the nonexistence before birth as a parallel to death's state; emphasizes no apprehension about nonexistence.

Tetrapharmakos: Four-Tiered Cure of Epicureanism

• Core Principles:

  1. Do not fear God.

  2. Do not fear death.

  3. What is good is easy to obtain.

  4. What is bad is easy to endure.

Historical Context: Epicurus' Works

• Lost Writings: Only fragments and few letters survive; vast majority of ideas are reconstructed through scholars.

• Discovery of Herculaneum: Insight into recreating Epicurean philosophy; potential for future discoveries of more texts.

Transition to Early Christendom and Augustine

• Christianity's Rise: Transition through the Roman Empire from persecution to acceptance leading to theological establishment under Constantine.

• Augustine of Hippo:

  • Background: Life before conversion emphasized seeking love and fulfillment through vice.

  • The Confessions: Reflective writing detailing his journey from sin to redemption.

• Exploration of Sin and Evil:

  • Key questions arise about the nature of sin, moral transgressions against God's will.

  • Augustine draws parallels between human behavior and divine characteristics when exploring sinful acts.

Augustine's Reflections on Sin

• Nature of Sin:

  • How do actions define sin? Is it intrinsic to the actions or based on divine decree?

  • Worst Sin Anecdote: Reflects on stealing pears as a key example of sin without motive beyond the joy of rebellion against God.

  • Anticipates further conclusions on the implications of human morality and the inherent nature of evil.