The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1976
Abstract
In this paper I try to establish the following differences between Epicurean and Lucretian psyches:
1. For Lucretius, the psyche is composed of particles of air, breath, heat, and a fourth unnamed constituent. Epicurus suggests that the psyche is composed of a single kind of atom, and that it in some way resembles heat and in some way resembles breath.
2. For Epicurus, breath and heat are properties of compounds, not kinds of atoms or kinds of compound entities. Lucretius apparently takes the opposite position.
3. For Lucretius, the components of the psyche seem to be entities larger than atoms.
Recommended Citation
Harrington, K. W., "Epicurus' Conception of the Psyche" (1976). The Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy Newsletter. 82.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/sagp/82
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Ancient Philosophy Commons, History of Philosophy Commons
Notes
K. W. Harrington presented “Epicurus’ Conception of the Psyche” to the Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy at its meeting with the American Philological Association in New York, 1976.