Autore: Lalli, Chiara
Titolo: Rethinking Cicero’s Voluptas: Philosophical Depth behind a Roman Polemic
Rivista/Miscellanea: Elenchos 47, 1
Anno edizione: 2026
Pagine: : 91-112
Parole chiave: Philosophie - Filosofia - Philosophy
Descrizione: Cicero’s critique of Epicurean philosophy is often dismissed as the expression of a moral prejudice rooted in the Roman mos maiorum, leading to an underestimation of his philosophical seriousness. This paper challenges that view by arguing that his engagement with hedonism in De finibus I–II constitutes a philosophically significant critique of the coherence of the system. Cicero demonstrates a deep understanding of Epicurus’ doctrine, highlighting tensions in his concept of pleasure. Focusing on ἡδονή and the debated distinction between pleasures in motu and in stabilitate (Fin. II 16), he questions whether the mere absence of pain can meaningfully be called pleasure. By contrasting immediate sensory pleasures with the rational tranquility pursued by adults, Cicero offers a constructive perspective that reveals a subtle developmental dimension in this ethical framework. [Author]
Opere:
Sigla autore: Lalli 2026
Titolo: Rethinking Cicero’s Voluptas: Philosophical Depth behind a Roman Polemic
Rivista/Miscellanea: Elenchos 47, 1
Anno edizione: 2026
Pagine: : 91-112
Parole chiave: Philosophie - Filosofia - Philosophy
Descrizione: Cicero’s critique of Epicurean philosophy is often dismissed as the expression of a moral prejudice rooted in the Roman mos maiorum, leading to an underestimation of his philosophical seriousness. This paper challenges that view by arguing that his engagement with hedonism in De finibus I–II constitutes a philosophically significant critique of the coherence of the system. Cicero demonstrates a deep understanding of Epicurus’ doctrine, highlighting tensions in his concept of pleasure. Focusing on ἡδονή and the debated distinction between pleasures in motu and in stabilitate (Fin. II 16), he questions whether the mere absence of pain can meaningfully be called pleasure. By contrasting immediate sensory pleasures with the rational tranquility pursued by adults, Cicero offers a constructive perspective that reveals a subtle developmental dimension in this ethical framework. [Author]
Opere:
Sigla autore: Lalli 2026
