ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY Epicurus the conflict between necessity
ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY 哲學研究所專任助理教授 陳斐婷
Epicurus: the conflict between necessity and freedom
Atomism version 1. 0 vs. version 2. 0 Democritus (atomism 1. 0 version): Atomism implies determinism. Epicurus (atomism 2. 0 version): (1) Determinism is incompatible with responsibility, there we must reject determinism. (2) Atomism does not necessarily implies determinism.
Why is Epicurus an atomist?
Does Epicurus’ atomism commit him to determinism?
Epicurus’ solution
The atoms swerve (Cicero’s report)
Reconstruction of the argument (0) Atoms swerve. (1) Suppose that an atom swerves as a result of being struck by another atom. (2) Atoms are born downwards by their weight in straight lines (at a uniform velocity). (3) But, if things are all born downwards by their weight in straight lines, they cannot be struck by one another. (4) Therefore, atoms swerve without a cause.
Epicurus on the seeds of actions
Epicurus: if you argue that you are not free, you presuppose that you are free.
Epicurus: future-tense statements are neither true or false
Epicurus on fortune
Objections to Epicurus Does the swerve explain freedom?
How often do atomic swerves happen?
D. J. Furley
Aberrations vs. past choices and decisions
Why exactly is it that which makes me responsible for my actions?
- Slides: 17