EPICURUS - MIND

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>EPICURUS</FONT><BR> THE MASTER OF PLEASURE</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>Mind over Matter</B></FONT><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>MATTER IN MOTION</B></FONT><BR> The Epicurean system acknowledges two things only - matter, which is made up of small indivisible and unchangeable particles and space through which these particles move. These atoms are in constant motion and coalesce to form composite bodies. Much sounds familiar to the modern student of science. Yet more impressive than the apparent modernity of Epicurean physics is his use of the atomic theory to develop a complete guide to how life should be lived to the greatest advantage.<BR> (Diogenes Laertes X.35)<P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>DEATH IS FREEDOM</B></FONT><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE>"Death is nothing to us; for the body, when it has been resolved into the elements, has no feeling and that which has no feeling is nothing to us."<P> (Sovran Maxims 2 in Diogenes Laertes X.139)</BLOCKQUOTE> To Epicurus, the atomic theory was all embracing. The <A HREF="../t03/g050.html" TARGET="_top">Stoic</A> ideal of mind over matter was a nonsense, for the mind itself was matter. The soul was corporeal, composed of fine particles dispersed throughout the frame. It had the greatest share in causing sensation because it was in greatest contact with the frame. It would not have sensation if it were not confined and in contact with the frame. Once the body dies, the soul loses its sentience. There is no life after death. This, for Epicurus was the ultimate liberation.<P> Like the Stoic, the Epicurean faced death with equanimity, but for very different reasons. The Epicurean aimed to make life on earth a life of pleasure. He lived for the day and believed that: "man loses all semblance of mortality by living in the midst of immortal blessings." X.135 <BR clear=left><BR> <HR width=100%> <A HREF="http://www.creatorix.com.au"><IMG SRC="../creatorix.gif" WIDTH="85" HEIGHT="40" BORDER="0" ALT="Creatorix" align=right></A> </BODY>