Philosophy of Death: Platonic vs Epicurean

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Questions and Answers

What are the two traditional strains of philosophy of death?

The Platonic and the Epicurean.

The Platonic strain of the philosophy of death is characterized by a rejection of an afterlife and a desire to diminish death's relevance in life.

False

How does Plato connect philosophy and death in the Phaedo?

Plato claims that philosophers are "nearly dead", who seek to live a life that is more aligned with a state of pure knowledge and understanding, which is only possible when the soul is separated from the body.

What are the key differences between the Stoics and the Epicureans on the subject of death?

While the Stoics believe that the universe is actively involved in human affairs, the Epicureans believe that the gods are largely indifferent to human beings. In addition, the Stoics believe in the divine spark that animates all life, while the Epicureans believe that the soul is composed of tiny particles called atoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objection to the Epicurean view on death, regarding its effect on the living?

Even if death is nothing to the dead, it seems like death should still matter to those who are alive, as death is something that we all face. An Epicurean denial of death, however, seems to make death completely irrelevant, which seems to go against our lived experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument advanced by Epicurus to combat the fear of death?

Epicurus argues, "death is nothing to us", because when a person is alive, death is not yet present, and when death is present, the person is no longer alive. Death then, is nothing that can be experienced or feared. Signup and view all the answers

How did Montaigne apply the Stoic and Epicurean attitudes toward death to his own life?

Montaigne embraced a Stoic indifference to life and death, and used the Epicurean practice of meditation on death to help him overcome the fear of death and detach himself from the cares and anxieties of worldly life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the Christian view on death and the Epicurean view?

The Christian view on death emphasizes the significance of death in relation to an afterlife, and it is important to prepare oneself for this transition. The Epicurean view denies the possibility of an afterlife and attempts to diminish the relevance of death for the living. The main difference is that the Christian view sees death as a crucial turning point that separates this life from the next, while the Epicurean view sees death as the end of existence. Signup and view all the answers

How did Spinoza, following a Stoic view on God and the universe, apply this idea to his thoughts on death?

Spinoza believed that the universe is governed by a deterministic force, and that humans should strive to understand and align themselves with this force. Death is an inevitable part of this order, which should not be feared. Signup and view all the answers

What is Leibniz’s view on the nature of the soul, and how does it relate to his views on the afterlife?

Leibniz believes that the soul is indivisible and indestructible, just like the monads, the smallest and fundamental units of reality, that make up the universe. Therefore, death does not involve the complete cessation of existence, but rather a shift in the soul's perceptions and relationships, although Leibniz denies both transmigration of souls and a perfect death. This view suggests that death does not necessarily mean an end to personal existence, but rather a change in its form. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction

Death is a central topic in Western philosophy, with diverse perspectives.
Two traditional approaches exist: Platonic (soul's continued existence) and Epicurean (soul's annihilation).
A third approach, existential, arises in response to these.
Kierkegaard and Heidegger, though influenced by Christianity, develop an existential philosophy of death that bridges Platonic and Epicurean insights.
The book explores the origins and tensions in these philosophical traditions surrounding death.

The Platonic Strain

Plato's Phaedo portrays death as a transition into a superior existence separated from the body.
The soul, existing prior to birth, possesses higher knowledge than the embodied soul.
Death is not feared because it leads to a complete separation and a more perfect afterlife.
Philosophy is likened to dying, focusing on the soul's qualities.
Early Christian thought echoes this with the concept of life in death—dying to the world for a renewed life after death.

Early Christian Appropriation

Paul's writings portray Christianity as requiring a dying to the sinful world and rebirth in Christ.
This dying can be understood as a physical transition or as a metaphorical separation from worldly concerns.
Augustine's work emphasizes the corrupt state of humans due to the Fall, requiring divine grace for redemption.
This understanding emphasizes a spiritual dying to the world as necessary for Christianity.

From Neoplatonism to Medieval Christianity

Neoplatonism influenced Augustine's view of the fall from grace, leading to a need for a spiritual transformation to regain a perfect state.
Monasticism, though aiming to isolate from the world, was criticized as not fully embodying the essence of dying to the world.
Scholasticism, epitomized by Aquinas, emphasized a more integrated role for reason in faith, offering a framework for the reconciliation of reason and faith.

An Augustinian Reformation

Luther sought a return to a more Augustinian interpretation of Christian death.
He emphasized a focus on Christ's death over individual death.
Luther saw suffering and persecution as inherent in Christianity and not incompatible with living in the world.
Pascal questioned the excessive reliance on reason in Christianity, advocating for a role for faith and the heart.
This included dying to reason as part of accepting the mysteries of Christian belief.

The Epicurean Strain

Epicurus argued that death is the end of personal existence, eliminating any threat of post-mortem harm.
Epicurus rejected the notion of the gods as involved in human judgment or penalties after death.
Epicurus's atomistic theory explained this complete annihilation of the soul at death.
Stoicism shared some common ground with Epicureans, denying the afterlife and emphasising detachment from bodily desires.
This indifference to death and worldly material desires, though similar to Christianity, lacks a desire for the same moral/spiritual transformations.

The Stoics

Stoicism's views on death often challenged the notion of fearing death.
The emphasis on aligning with the natural order, including accepting death as part of this order, was vital.
The Stoics' acceptance of suicide in certain circumstances differentiates them, though suicide was acceptable in extreme cases for Epicureans as well.

Early Modern Appropriation

Modern thinkers like Montaigne, Spinoza, and Leibniz embraced aspects of Hellenistic philosophy.
Montaigne challenged the significance of individuals in a larger universe and advocated a detachment from death anxieties.
Spinoza emphasized the eternal nature of the mind, yet still detached himself from death-related concerns.
Leibniz's metaphysics of monads also denied personal annihilation, yet with continued existence not quite an afterlife.
Hume, while expressing similarly Stoic tendencies, advocated detachment from death concerns and embraced earthly values.

The Nineteenth-Century Germans

Hegel's concept of lordship/bondage, while complex, suggested aspects of individuals engaging the world and accepting death.
Schopenhauer expressed pessimistic views that align with the Epicurean strain and detachment from death, while Nietzsche criticized Christianity's denial of the world.

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Description

This quiz delves into Western philosophy's views on death, focusing on Platonic and Epicurean perspectives. It explores how these traditions shape our understanding of the soul's existence, both after death and in life. Additionally, the existential approach is considered in relation to Kierkegaard and Heidegger.