The primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía in Epicurus

• Grant number: 12/15981-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy - Ethics
• Principal Investigator: João Carlos Kfouri Quartim de Moraes
• Grantee: Thiago Harrison Felício
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

We will investigate in the Letter to Menoeceus, the Maxims and the Sentences of Epicurus, the theme of the primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía. In the line 132 of the Letter to Menoeceus we read that the phrónesis is more precious than the philosophía. The phrónesis is taken as a practical and continuous wisdom, essential to the life of the sage, whereas the philosophía is taken as an "exercise", whose main goal is to free the man from the fears of vain opinions, acting in a therapeutic way, as a medicine. Comparing the notions which the Letter reveals with other passages that make reference to such terms, we note that Epicurus doesn't show contempt for the philosophía. So how can we locate and understand the reasons why the philosopher declares the primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía? To answer this question, we will research both comments of interpreters already enshrined in the tradition - whose publications have relevance even in our century - as the comments of the latest interpreters. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FELÍCIO, Thiago Harrison. The primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía in Epicurus. 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas Campinas, SP.