Fear of Death in Epicurean Philosophy
Subject Areas : New findings regarding the development of ancient western philosophy (Greek and Hellenistic Philosophies)Ahmad Asgari 1 , Seyednima Salehi 2
1 - Assistant Philosophy, Philosophy Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 - PhD candidate of Philosophy of Art, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: Fear, death, Epicurus, joy, Pain, peace of mind, happiness,
Abstract :
This study investigates the basic principles and arguments of Epicurean philosophy in relation to the baselessness of fear of death and whether his reasoning in this regard is justified. In Epicurus’ philosophy, the soul is mortal and, thus, death means annihilation. He believes that although this idea does not negate happiness, fear of death impedes happiness. Hence, he provides some arguments to prove that it is unjustified and explains the correct way of encountering death. Here, while presenting a new interpretation of Epicurean view of fear of death, the author tries to propound and evaluate his views and arguments in the cultural and philosophical context of this problem and emphasizes that one must make a distinction between “fear of the process of dying” and “fear of being dead” in order to clearly understand the Epicurean view in this regard.