1990 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
A Documentary Study of Hellenistic Atomism.
| Project/Area Number |
63510006
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
Philosophy
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| Research Institution | Hiroshima University |
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Principal Investigator |
NISHIKAWA Akira Hiroshima Univ. Letters Professor, 文学部, 教授 (30033484)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1988 – 1990
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| Keywords | Atomism / Anima. Animus / Psyche / Pneuma / Democritus / Epicurus |
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| Research Abstract |
The aim of this study is to examine positively the Greek-Roman atomism in hellenistic period by virtue of documentary records, especially on the views which Epicurus and some philosophers in these days entertained. Particularly I consider Epicurus opinion on soul, because I am concerned with the problem of the constituent elements of soul.
In Epicurus' letter to Herodotus (D. L. X. 63), he is supposed to say that soul is composed of three kinds of coporeal particles, namely those resembling breath ( pneuma ), those resembling heat and the third particles. But according to Lucretus. Plutarch and Aetius, Epicurus maintained that soul consists of heat, breath (or wind), air ( aer ) and a nameless something.
I first examine the functions of each part of souls, especially the working of sensation, in order to solve the problem whether or not Epicurus added the air as a component to three other particles.
And then I inquire how he used air in his letters. So I presume that he used it more carefully in relation to the theory of sensation in his letter to Herodotus, because he referred to air in some passages where he refuted Democritus theory of the idols that the intervening air served the purpose of a medium in vision and hearing. I consider that did not use it to avoid confusion.
Finally I conclude that Epicurus held perhaps three kinds of particles in souls except air, because the breath involves the nature of air in itself and air bringing calmness to souls will impede their essential mobility.
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