THESIS STATEMENT
In Hellenistic Greece, Epicureanism and Stoicism were two influential philosophies encouraging a life of happiness; these philosophies were similar in their belief of the afterlife, but differed in their beliefs of the gods and the approach to attain happiness in life.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
Through research and analysis, it is shown that Epicureanism and Stoicism both portrayed the general idea of a content life, but had more differences than similarities in their various beliefs.
INTRODUCTION
The Hellenistic period brought a new, refreshing start to Greece. Ancient Greece and its introverted culture transformed into Hellenistic Greece, which infused its culture into countries and empires outside of Greece’s boundaries. With this spreading influence, new forms of art, inventions, and religion emerged in the midst of the cultural growth. An innovated aspect within Hellenistic Greece was philosophy and its new schools. At the time, two of the most popular philosophies, Epicureanism and Stoicism, rivaled each other.
Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus, and Stoicism, founded by Zeno of Citium, gave the Greeks an attempt to have meaning in their lives. Although the two philosophies competed with each other, they had similarities along with their differences. As Hicks briefly describes, “Both schools sought by devious paths one and the same goal” (v). Epicureanism and Stoicism conceived the universe in different ways, which ultimately led to more differences than similarities between the two philosophies. However, the two schools coincided in their views of life’s purpose – achieving happiness throughout life.
Epicureanism and Stoicism had similarities and differences in how they perceived the world, which culminated in ...
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...Epicureans and Stoics] offered a conception of the world and human nature which drew its support from empirical observations, reason and a recognition that all men have common needs” (6). Though both views opposed each other in various ways, they both provided man with a way to live and to care for oneself.
WORKS CITED
Brennan, Tad. The Stoic Life: Emotions, Duties, and Fate. Oxford: Clarendon, 2005. Print.
Hicks, Robert Drew. Stoic and Epicurean. New York: Russell & Russell, 1962. Print.
Long, A. A. Hellenistic Philosophy; Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics. New York: Scribner, 1974. Print.
O'Keefe, Tim. Epicureanism. Berkeley: University of California, 2010. Print.
Panichas, George A. Epicurus. New York: Twayne, 1967. Print.
Sandbach, F. H. The Stoics. New York: Norton, 1975. Print.
Warburton, Nigel. A Little History of Philosophy. New Haven: Yale UP, 2011. Print.
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...nd the theme of immortality. However, each presents it in different ways. The Epic of Gilgamesh presents true immortality as deeds and actions that will keep your names in the memory of the people forever. In The Odyssey immortality is presented as something that is less important than your family and the people you love. This is reflected in each of the heroes decisions to turn down immortality; Gilgamesh turns it down because he knows the suffering would never make it worth it and Odysseus knows that he would never get to see his family again if he accepted the offer. The moral really is consider all the consequences before accepting something that seems all well and good.
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The times are in constant motion, and as a result the times always changing. Not only do life styles change over time, but peoples worldviews change from generation to generation. Looking back to the past, as scholars of history, we can see these worldview changes. The Iliad and the Inferno represent both radically different and strikingly similar concepts of the world with different aspects, such as society and religion, at their respective times. By investigating these works, one can begin to gain deeper knowledge of the history of mankind.
Many stoic philosophers have taken a different approach to virtue and happiness. Homer and Epicurus for instance argue that happiness through desires and virtue are co-dependent suggesting that men with no desires cannot live happy lives. This slightly counters Seneca’s belief that happiness is a result of virtue.
Epicurus. The Epicurus Reader: Selected Writings and Testimonia. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1994. Translated and Edited by Brad Inwood and L.P. Gerson.
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