The Radicality of Ancient Contemplation in Epicureanism and Philo of Alexandria
A religious and a non-religious perspective
Abstract
The Straussian return to the original meaning of the tension between contemplation and political activity clarifies what Ancient philosophers understood about the relation between philosophy and politics. We analyze two cases where that tension is exposed in its most radical sense: Epicureanism and Philo’s community of therapists. Our intention is to show Lucretius’ understanding of theoría and its radical detachment from human activity. We will question whether Philo’s alleged religious understanding of this same problem is strictly religious or rather philosophical. The analysis will be guided by Strauss’ commentaries on Lucretius and his arguments about the political requirements of religion.References
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