Mondays, 10am–12pm, Corpus Christi College (off the main quad)
Convened by Prof Luca Castagnoli and Prof Tobias Reinhardt
This graduate class will explore all main areas of ancient Epicureanism, with emphasis on the arguments marshalled by the supporters and critics of Epicureanism for and against the central tenets of the Epicurean philosophical system. The main sources are those collected in Long and Sedley (eds.) (1987) Hellenistic Philosophers. Cambridge: CUP (LS). They will be supplemented with additional texts made available for the weekly classes.
Knowledge or Ancient Greek or Latin is not required. Attendees will be offered the opportunity to give short presentations.
Provisional Schedule
- The aim and scope of philosophy (LS 25); atomism (LS 4-12, especially 4-6, 8 and 11)
- Cosmology, gods, anti-teleology (LS 13 and 23)
- Perception and knowledge (LS 15-18)
- Happiness and pleasure (LS 21)
- Death (LS 14 and 24)
- Freedom and Responsibility (LS 14 and 20)
- Justice, Law and Political Withdrawal (LS 22)
- Love and Friendship (LS 22O and Lucretius DRN 4.1037-1287)
