Episode 233 - Cicero's On The Nature of The Gods - Part 08 - An Epicurean Attack On The False God Of Stoicism
Date: 06/18/24
Link: https://www.epicureanfriends.com/thread/3905-episode-233-cicero-s-otnotg-08-an-epicurean-attack-on-the-false-god-of-stoicism/
Summary
Section titled “Summary”- Rejection of Supernatural Elements: The episode emphasizes Epicurus’ teaching that the universe is entirely natural, rejecting any supernatural elements, including the belief in life after death.
- Critique of Platonic and Stoic Theologies: The discussion critiques Platonic and Stoic views of gods, highlighting the Epicurean stance that gods are blessed, incorruptible, and uninvolved in human affairs.
- Nature of Epicurean Gods: Epicurean gods are described as animate beings that are deathless and perfectly blissful, contrasting with Stoic beliefs that deify abstract concepts like the law of nature.
- Epicurus’ View on Free Will: The podcast underscores Epicurus’ rejection of determinism and the importance of free will, opposing Stoic fatalism.
- Natural Law and Morality: The episode critiques the Stoic idea of natural law as an imposed divine order, arguing instead that Epicurean philosophy derives ethical guidance from the natural pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain observed in living beings.
Transcript
Section titled “Transcript”(Add transcript here)