The primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía in Epicurus

Author(s)

Thiago Harrison Felício

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
• Defense date: 2014-03-07

Examining board members

João Carlos Kfouri Quartim de Moraes; Sidney Calheiros de Lima; Flávio Ribeiro de Oliveira

• Advisor: João Carlos Kfouri Quartim de Moraes

Abstract

We did an investigation of the theme of the primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía in the Letter to Menoeceus, in some of the Maxims and Sentences of Epicurus and in some late testimonies. 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 a theoretical wisdom and also 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 researched both comments of interpreters already enshrined in the tradition as the comments of the latest interpreters. In addition we translated the Letter to Menoeceus and some passages of the Epicurean corpus. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/15981-4 - The primacy of the phrónesis over the philosophía in Epicurus
• Grantee: Thiago Harrison Felício
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master