Online research in philosophy

Epicurus’ debt to Democritus’ metaphysics is obvious. Even where Epicurus feels the need to modify Democritus’ metaphysics because of its skeptical or fatalist implications, he is working within Democritus’ general framework. The situation is quite different in ethics. Ancient critics of Epicurus claim that the Cyrenaics’ hedonism is the inspiration for his ethics, and in modern times, Epicurus’ ethics is usually viewed in the context of Aristotle’s eudaimonism.

Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction; 2. Autodidact and student: on the relationship of authority and autonomy in Epicurus and the Epicurean tradition Michael Erler; 3. Epicurus' theological innatism David Sedley; 4. Epicurus on the gods David Konstan; 5. Not all politicians are Sisyphus: what Roman Epicureans were taught about politics Jeffrey Fish; 6. Epicurean virtues, Epicurean friendship: Cicero vs. the Herculaneum papyri David Armstrong; 7. Cicero's use and abuse of Epicurean theology Holger Essler; 8. The necessity of anger in Philodemus' 'On Anger' Elizabeth Asmis; 9. Philodemus, Seneca, and Plutarch on anger Voula Tsouna; 10. Philodemus and the fear of premature death Kirk R. Sanders.

In this paper, Nietzsche's interpretation of Epicurus is sketched. The ancient philosopher is seen as subscribing to 'idyllic heroism', i.e., heroically adopting an idyllic way of life.