Public piacerequesta with the original report. Enjoy it
Epicurus and "Quadrifarmaco"
Sabrina Sartori
The beginning of each day, for every man is marked by the wake.
For him, moreover, had been the case.
As every morning, had left a light sleeper and opened my eyes.
Each new day is placed in front of our existence, has the distinction of being unpredictable. Nothing really planned, nothing is certain ... you can never know what will happen.
fact, that day was to be the course of events more particular he never lived.
intent was to walk through the crowded street of the city where he lived.
not imagine that he was about to make an unusual encounter.
An old lady, like the best cliches, it was just out of the door of the Church, obviously saddened and concerned that the furrowed face.
him, moved by a force of which he himself was surprised he decided to see what was the big upset of the lady. He did not know why he was doing ... he had never been too supportive, too close to people who needed it, too worried if someone something went wrong. Did not care much if he could help someone ... there had never given too much weight. Moreover, the company now is based on selfishness ... and he had adapted very well.
he felt at that moment, something that pushed him toward the old lady.
not had to say a word, just close to the lady she had brought in a stream of words.
"Young man, remember well, faith is the most important thing we have. It is a precious value, inherent in each of us to care, nurture, and respect ... the wind does not blow it like I did! "
Despite the exposure of the lady was undoubtedly witty, he was not in agreement, despite she had never worried much about his attitude towards the faith. He wanted to learn more.
"What has made so serious? I think she's just emerged from a church ... well, I do not think so she does not cultivate the value that is so important for her "
" You do not know, you're basing on what you see now, dear boy. I had to go to confession because I feel terribly guilty. I missed several weeks of Sunday Mass, now the journey of my life is no longer designed to follow the example of the Gospel ... I can not even respect the commandment given to us by Christ, to love your neighbor ... as I can think of to receive the Grace God once that my life is over here? I do not deserve it even more. "
Unfortunately, he had to think again ... always talking about for clichés, the lady in front of him was the classic old God-fearing and the problem of earning the eternal grace. The company was still represented by a part from this type of people, with almost medieval beliefs.
"Madam, because you have to ruin the peaceful live with these problems far-fetched? God is perfect. God, in your opinion, how many times he is interested in going to Mass, how many times helps the next, and so on? God does not care if he has another plan. "
And so saying, he left dall'anziana lady, who had left stunned expression.
He began to think. Although it was a totally subjective advice, and may not apply from the lady, had suggested a "therapy" for his trouble, something totally outside of its normal average human act.
And once again, had been moved by the force that impelled him to approach the lady.
continued to walk, still brooding about what had just happened.
lost in thought, did not notice a little boy who was running. Bumped into him and this fell to the ground. She helped him get up and immediately realized he was crying in despair.
"Has anything happened?" Seriously thinking that something serious had happened, he turned to the boy.
The boy had his face capricious response typical of his age. Then he began to speak "I was shopping with my mother, because I promised that I would buy something. I've seen the latest model of the console, and since we have all of my friends, I asked my mother if I bought it ... but she said no, I could also settle for something that cost less. So I'm angry and I fled. "
Of course, before a whim of a boy, he could also be silent and say two or three words of the Convention. But again, that force, meant that the council, the "therapy" that had already been to the old lady, she was now on another prototype of today's society, the spoiled child that always wants more, influenced by the press media and from friends.
"Why do you want the console?" He said then.
"Because I like it, is the latest model, and at least I can play with my friends," replied the boy.
"Now tell me, play with your friends, you can not settle for a park and a ball?"
Despite being a "bad" very small, even for this managed to find the appropriate therapy.
It also left the little boy, with no chance to reply, as he did with the lady.
He was even more strange. He was not the man who listened to the "evils" of people, and suggested therapy to it.
The day was already too saturated and special events that can not be called random coincidences ... or he decided to start at home. He felt very tired, he decided to sit on a park bench that was going through, even though it was already occupied half by a beautiful girl, serene-looking, but who eyes a concealed displeasure.
For the second time, he was starting to talk, to ask.
"It looks like something you upset."
The girl was initially surprised by his speech. Then he smiled slightly and began to speak "You see, when you diagnose a tumor, which can not be upset at first."
He then and there remained speechless. Two "evils", the two problems were already confronted with today. But this was considerably more serious and earnest. Maybe it was not appropriate to say anything, given the age of the girl and the terrible evil. But as every time earlier, the force pushed him to set out his "therapy", his treatment of "evil", even if what was about to say might seem inappropriate given the state of the girl. In this day of strange encounters, his was a constant give these therapies without thinking about the conditions of those who had before or operability, or if he had been successful in the common consciousness, but only that he felt it was the right path to follow. It was the force that had guided him in that day who assured him that it was right to say. And even this time would stop.
"I can understand you, dear girl, but see you need not fear nor pain, nor death. Depending on its intensity, may be tolerable or short-lived, so it creates a problem. And the dead, as you infer, too, is not when we are ... and we did not when she's there. It's not a problem that concerns us. "He
for the first time that day, he gave the right of reply.
The girl did not seem shocked or disgusted by what he said. Indeed, he looked serene.
"You know, I must say that is the best thing i have been told since I found out. And I must give a reason. In fact, I'm not the least afraid of this thing, I live with serenity. "
He was glad that someone would gather his words, indeed, the force that drove him to say. Because he understood that it was something of enormous importance, indicating a way forward, a road once the pursuit of happiness.
"Can I at least know your name?" She said.
The mysterious force acted for a last time, and perhaps given the fact that he was still lost in thought, word came out of his mouth spontaneously, although it was not quite his real name.
"Epicurus".
In the story, "he" and the epitome of philosophy Epicureanism located in modern society through a character in the course of several meetings last week with three different types of people, torn by four different types of problems (the girl with the tumor represents two).
These four "evils" is a reference to "Quadrifarmaco" of Epicurus, which has the aim to free mankind from its four basic fears by proposing a suitable therapy for each.
Assaying for the first lady's figure, this is the first proposed in evil "Quadrifarmaco", or the fear of the gods and life after death.
First Epicurus therefore address the question of evil in relation to the proceeds and degrees
God does not will evil, but can not avoid it (God be good but powerless, it is not possible).
God can prevent evil but does not want (God would be bad, it is not possible).
God can not and will not avoid evil (God is bad and helpless, it is not possible).
God can and will, but because evil exists then God exists but is not interested in man. This is the conclusion that Epicurus considered true: the gods are indifferent to human affairs and close in their perfection.
is also fair to add that the reason why Epicurus says that the gods have lost interest in man is that they, in their happiness and perfection, not need to take care of men. To say that it is necessary for the care of something, in this case of men, would give a limit to the immense power of the gods, which, however, need not be interested in the earthly life. So
therapy, according to the thought of Epicurus, the problem is not how the gods and the afterlife, as gods are so perfect, so as not to contaminate the divine nature, are not interested in the affairs of mortal men and not give them rewards or punishments. The knowledge that
Epicurus accepted and that allows men to throw off the yoke of the gods is the atomic physics of Democritus.
This theory accepts the existence of the vacuum, allowing so the movement that the One eleati prevented.
In the vacuum there are any tiny matter is not further divisible, indestructible and immutable.
atoms differ in their form, order, position and size. Precisely because of these differences explains the variety of atomic clusters (bodies) that we know through experience of the senses.
atomic aggregates are formed by the movement of atoms which leads them to collide, and having different shapes and sizes can be assembled in countless ways which show the variety of natural beings.
The soul itself is an aggregate of atoms very light and thin with specialized functions, which can not survive outside the body.
Since there are an infinite number of atoms as a consequence, an infinite number of worlds (which considers Democritus atomic maximum aggregate size) and each of these worlds is centrally located in relation to other smaller bodies. A
lessons learned from the theory of Democritus, Epicurus adds Clinamen (inclination) that the derivation of the atoms from their path allows the collision between atoms that leads to their aggregation into bodies more and more complex: to the formation of the worlds. In the physics of Democritus
nothing is purposeful, natural processes are purely random and not controlled by the gods.
Epicurus believed that men were image of the deity. This image was produced by flows of atoms emanating from the same gods.
The second character who intervenes in history, the spoiled kid who wants at all costs the toy that her mother did not want to take, is representing a lack of pleasure.
It should make some considerations.
According to Epicurus, happiness is possible only if we assume as the ultimate pleasure, not in its social and psychological aspects but in the strictly natural and physiological.
The suppression of pain becomes a pleasure that is obtained satisfying the necessary incentives, such as hunger and thirst, and by removing the stimulus that by their nature can not be met and, therefore, lead to disappointment and pain.
fact Epicurus distinguishes between two basic types of pleasure: The pleasure
catastematico (static).
Pleasure kinetic (dynamic). Please
kinetic means the transient pleasure, which lasts for a while and then leaves the man dissatisfied than before. Kinetic pleasures are those related to the body, to the satisfaction of the senses. The pleasure is
catastematico rather durable, and consists of the ability of contentment with their life, to enjoy every moment as if it was your last, no worries for the future. The conduct, therefore, must be guided to a great moderation, unless you have, the less you fear to lose. Epicurus
develop a kind cataloging needs that if met procure eudemonia (literally "star with a good demon," "Serenity")
natural and necessary needs, such as drinking plenty of water to drink: as being entirely meet these volumes can be completely filled. Needs
natural but not necessary: \u200b\u200bsuch as drinking wine to drink, sure I will not be thirsty, but would like to drink wine more and more refined, and then the need will remain partly unfulfilled.
needs neither natural nor necessary, such as the desire for glory and riches: these are not natural, have no limit and therefore can never be satisfied. Epicurus
compares the life at a banquet, from which it can be driven out of the blue. The stone guest essay did not binge, do not wait the more refined, but can make do with what he had and is ready to leave when the time comes, without any remorse. The pleasure catastematico is deeply tied to the concept of ataraxia and Apone.
is important then friendship, understood as mutual solidarity between all those seeking the serene happiness. As for the company he recognizes the usefulness of laws that must be respected as trampling you can not have the certainty of impunity then would the fear of punishment that disturb the peace forever. The man should be happy to live quietly hiding (it is the Epicurean conception of "living secretly" or "live hidden" in greek λάθε βιώσας)
The disengagement of the Epicureans, who theorized a peaceful life and retreat, combined with a superficial interpretation of the concept Epicurean of "pleasure" over the centuries has led to a distorted view of Epicureanism, often associated with hedonism which has nothing to do. The Epicurean philosophy stands in contrast to a substantial charge and moral enlightenment, taught to reject all superstition and prejudice in a peaceful acceptance of their limitations and their potential. It teaches the
epucureismo science self-control, which Epicurus called "calculus of pleasure", which is just the therapy for lack of pleasure.
The last character in the story, the girl with the tumor, representing two kinds of "evils": the fear of physical pain, and fear of death.
As for the fear of physical pain, Epicurus said that if the harm is slight, the physical pain is bearable, and is never likely to overshadow the joy of the soul, if it is acute, is soon and if it is acute, leading early death, which is not that absolute insensitivity.
Regarding the fear of death, Epicurus says that it is a bug humans as we are when she is not there, when she is we are not here anymore. Epicurus thus tends to leave the concerns from the lives of his disciples, among many others the fear of death. In this case, the therapy is therefore not consider them as a human problem.
Epicurus proposed for the four most evil human therapy.
But where does this treatment?
The story is about a force that drives our Epicurus to listen to the problems of the characters he meets them and suggest solutions to these.
This force is precisely the philosophy, as Epicurus believes that philosophy should become the instrument, the means, both theoretical and practical, to achieve happiness getting rid of every restless passion.
Sabrina Sartori
4 BS
School Year 2010-2011 Report of Philosophy
