Epicurean Meteorology: Sources, Method, Scope and Organization

Erscheinungsjahr 2016
ISBN: 978-90-04-32156-4
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Greek, Ancient (to 1453), Band 142, 304 Seiten, Format (B × H): 225 mm x 251 mm, Gewicht: 579 g

Reihe: Philosophia Antiqua

In Epicurean Meteorology Frederik Bakker discusses the meteorology as laid out by Epicurus (341-270 BCE) and Lucretius (1st century BCE). Although in scope and organization their ideas are clearly rooted in the Peripatetic tradition, their meteorology sets itself apart from this tradition by its systematic use of multiple explanations and its sole reliance on sensory evidence as opposed to mathematics and other axiomatic principles.
Through a thorough investigation of the available evidence Bakker offers an updated and qualified account of Epicurean meteorology, arguing against Theophrastus’ authorship of the Syriac meteorology, highlighting the originality of Lucretius’ treatment of mirabilia, and refuting the oft-repeated claim that the Epicureans held the earth to be flat.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bakker, Fredericus Antonius

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Geowissenschaften Geologie Geschichte der Geowissenschaften
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Antike Philosophie
• Geowissenschaften Geologie Meteorologie, Klimatologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Contents

Preface
List of Tables
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations

1 General Introduction
2 Multiple Explanations
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Preliminary Observations
2.3 Truth, Probability and Personal Preferences
2.4 Multiple Explanations and Doxography
2.5 The Sources of the Method of Multiple Explanations
2.6 Conclusions
3 Range and Order of Subjects in Ancient Meteorology
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Range, Delimitation and Subdivisions of Meteorology
3.3 Terrestrial Phenomena Other Than Earthquakes
3.4 Order of Subjects
3.5 Relations between the Four Texts
3.6 Conclusions
3.7 Epilogue: Epicurean Cosmology and Astronomy
4 The Shape of the Earth
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Historical and Conceptual Context
4.3 Discussion of Relevant Passages
4.4 Conclusions
5 General Conclusions

Appendix 1: Multiple Explanations in Epicurus’Letter to Pythocles
Appendix 2: Multiple Explanations in Lucretius’drn v and vi
Appendix 3: General Structure of the Syriac Meteorology

Bibliography
Index Locorum
General Index

Über Autor(innen)

Frederik Bakker, PhD (2010) Utrecht University, is assistant professor of Ancient Philosophy at the Radboud University in Nijmegen. His research focuses on ancient, especially Epicurean, natural philosophy and its reception in the Renaissance and Early Modern Period.