Metrodorus of Lampsacus (the younger)
Metrodorus | |
---|---|
Born | 331/0 BC |
Died | 278/7 BC |
Era | Hellenistic philosophy |
Region | Western philosophy |
School | Epicureanism |
Main interests | Ethics, Physics |
Metrodorus of Lampsacus (
Life
Metrodorus was a native of
Metrodorus died in 278/7 BC, in the 53rd year of his age, seven years before Epicurus, who would have appointed him his successor had he survived him. He left behind him a son named Epicurus, and a daughter, whom Epicurus, in his will, entrusted to the guardianship of
Philosophy
The philosophy of Metrodorus appears to have been of a more sensual kind than that of Epicurus.[7] Perfect happiness, according to Cicero's account, he made to consist in having a well-constituted body, and knowing that it would always remain so. He found fault with his brother for not admitting that the belly was the test and measure of every thing that pertained to a happy life.[8] According to Seneca, Epicurus placed Metrodorus among those who require assistance in working their way towards truth.[9]
- Πρὸς τοὺς ἰατρούς, τρία – Against the Physicians (3 volumes)
- Περὶ αἰσθήσεων – On Sensations
- Πρὸς Τιμοκράτην – Against Timocrates
- Περὶ μεγαλοψυχίας – On Magnanimity
- Περὶ τῆς Ἐπικούρου ἀρρωστίας – On Epicurus's Weak Health
- Πρὸς τοὺς διαλεκτικούς – Against the Dialecticians
- Πρὸς τοὺς σοφιστάς, ἐννέα – Against the Sophists (9 volumes)
- Περὶ τῆς ἐπὶ σοφίαν πορείας – On the Way to Wisdom
- Περὶ τῆς μεταβολῆς – On Change
- Περὶ πλούτου – On Wealth
- Πρὸς Δημόκριτον – Against Democritus
- Περὶ εὐγενείας – On Noble Birth
Metrodorus also wrote Against the Euthyphro,[11] and Against the Gorgias[12] of Plato. Small fragments of his work On Wealth, were found among the charred remains at the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum.[13] Philodemus made use of this work in his own works On Wealth, and On Household Economics. Philodemus cites Metrodorus as the author of the view that Cynic poverty was to be rejected in favour of a more affluent way of life, although wealth in no way contributes to happiness.[14]
Notes
- ^ Dorandi 1999, p. 51.
- ISBN 9780521854986.
- ^ Laërtius 1925b, § 22; see also Strabo, xiii. and Cicero, Tusculanae Quaestiones, v. 37.
- ^ Laërtius 1925, § 6.
- ^ Laërtius 1925, § 16–21.
- ^ Diogenes Laërtius. "Lives Of Eminent Philosophers II: 6 10".
- ^ Cicero, De Natura Deorum, i. 40, Tusculanae Quaestiones, v. 9, de Finibus, ii. 28. § 92, 30. § 99, 31. § 101.
- ^ Cicero, De Natura Deorum, i. 40; Athenaeus, vii. 279 F; Plutarch, Non posse suaviter vivi secundum Epicurum, 1098; Adversus Colotem, 1108, 1125.
- ^ Seneca, Epistulae Morales, lii. 3
- ^ Laërtius 1925b, § 22.
- ^ Philodemus, On Piety, col. 25, 702-5, col 34, 959-60, Obbink
- ^ in two books, Philodemus, PHerc. 1005, col XI, 14-15, Angeli
- ^ PHerc. 200
- ISBN 9789047400240.
Sources
- Dorandi, Tiziano (1999). "Chapter 2: Chronology". In Algra, Keimpe; et al. (eds.). The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 51. ISBN 9780521250283.
- Lives of the Eminent Philosophers. Vol. 2:10. Translated by Hicks, Robert Drew(Two volume ed.). Loeb Classical Library. § 1–154.
- Lives of the Eminent Philosophers. Vol. 2:10. Translated by Hicks, Robert Drew(Two volume ed.). Loeb Classical Library. § 22.
Attribution:
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
{{cite encyclopedia}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help)