Coop & Tay discuss Marx's analysis of differences between Democritus and Epicurus, including atomistic theories, time, free will, quantum entanglement, philosophy and science, eternal nature of atoms, quasi cause, and comparison of Hume and Epicurus
Democritus valued skepticism while Epicurus trusted sense impressions.
Epicurus emphasized pleasure, practical ethics, and freedom from mental disturbance.
Atoms' swerving motion forms the basis of reality and the random nature of climate.
Deep dives
Difference between Democritus and Epicurus
Democritus, a man of science, was obsessed with skepticism of the senses while Epicurus valued trust in sense impressions. Democritus sought knowledge through science and embraced geometry, while Epicurus focused on dispelling fears and leading a good life.
The Philosophy of Epicurus
Epicurus prioritized pleasure, practical ethics, and leading a healthy life. He distinguished between natural and necessary desires, natural and unnecessary desires, and unnatural and unnecessary desires. Wisdom and friendship were considered the sources of wealth, and he emphasized freedom from mental disturbance and fear.
Indeterminism and Freedom in Epicurus' Philosophy
Epicurus believed in the swerve, a concept that allowed for indeterminism and freedom in human actions. He emphasized achieving freedom through adoraxia, freedom from disturbance, confusion, superstition, and unnecessary desires. Philosophy and self-consciousness played a crucial role in living a good life.
The Swerve of Atoms and the Reality of Climate
A central idea discussed in the podcast is the concept of atoms and their swerving motion. The speaker talks about how atoms, while indivisible and eternal, can enter into combinations and form composites with the incidents of their collisions. This swerve of atoms is seen as the basis of the reality of climate. Through a metaphor of sunlight coming through a barn, the speaker illustrates the chance encounters of dust particles bouncing off each other and forming aggregates. This metaphor highlights the random and complex nature of climate, which can be observed in the motion and interactions of dust particles.
Death, Pleasure, and the Immortality of Atoms
Another key point discussed in the podcast is the perspective of Epicurus on death, pleasure, and the immortality of atoms. Epicurus argues that atoms are eternal and indivisible, and it is the composites formed by the aggregation of atoms that dissolve and die. He suggests that death is not to be feared, as it is the breaking down of these composites, while atoms themselves are immortal. Epicurus emphasizes the importance of finding joy and pleasure in the present moment, as he believes that knowledge accumulation is meaningless if it does not lead to a healthier and more enjoyable life.
This week Coop & Tay have a look at Marx's dissertation, The Difference Between the Democritean and Epicurean Philosophy of Nature. The dissertation is a focal point in Thomas Nail's Marx in Motion, which we will be discussing in next week's episode.
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