Sense-Experience Argument 1) All “…good and bad consists in sense-experience” (124). Rather, we simple "are not". All people strive for pleasure as the chief good, as Epicurus defines pleasure as the “…first innate good” (129). It is arguable that the removal of pain through death is good and the removal of pleasure through death is bad. Responding as humans rather than philosophers it is easier to conclude that Epicurus has disregarded the totality of the problem of death. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. The fear and evaluation of this eternal "nothing" is living in the present and can induce the "fear" Epicurus hoped to dispel through his contested use of logic. Once one is dead however, then one cannot have negative feelings, but the purpose of having negative feelings when we are alive, is to avoid becoming dead and losing our consciousness. Epicurus taught and vis-à-vis the death a philosophy of detachment, of ataraxia (peace of mind). Thus, Premise 2 is untrue and the Sense-Experience Argument is unsound. Because these are inextricably linked, and it is impossible to attain the permanent state of death without experiencing either pleasure or pain at the moment of dying, death necessitates either a pleasurable sensory experience or a painful sensory experience. Epicurus: Our body ceases to function, blood stops flowing, our neurons stop firing, etc. Extract from the Letter to Menoeceus by Epicurus: “Take the habit of thinking that death is nothing for us. a. Neither heaven nor hell are to be feared in Epicureanism. Perhaps if we had sophisticated equipment we could completely alter your memories or give you the memories of someone else. The site thus covers the main philosophical traditions, from the Presocratic to the contemporary philosophers, while trying to bring a philosophical reading to the cultural field in general, such as cinema, literature, politics or music. Shelly Kagan of Yale comes to mind. Powered by WordPress. And now our Skeptic unveils himself Through the evaluation of Epicurus’ Sense-Experience Argument and Unnecessary Pain Argument, it will be concluded that death cannot be ‘nothing’ and that death should be feared in particular instances. If a life were destined to be absolutely painful and devoid of pleasure, the most pleasant (least painful) option would seemingly be death, assuming the momentary act of dying was not exceedingly painful. But not knowledge. On the other hand, death is good and should not be feared only if the momentary act of dying is pleasurable due to a net decrease in pain, as this is made possible through the absence of previously existing pain. also the argument assumes that it's ok to be totally free of the capacity to feel pain. The universe is huge and goes on for a long time and there could be a lot of brains very similar to yours way in the future or in the past. Aeneas’ journey in search of the Latium shores parallels Odysseus’ […], In his Letter to Menoeceus, Epicurus outlines his philosophy of attaining happiness and details the proper attitude that Epicureans should have toward the gods and toward death. Since we no longer exist, we can feel neither pain nor pleasure. Premise B will be refuted for the same reason: because the anticipation of death could lead an individual to avoid death and, thus, to avoid a painful act of dying, it could actually prevent unnecessary pain. According to Epicurus, death is the deprivation of __ Sense experience. Or are the former not directly related to death, and is the latter illogical? In contemporary French philosophy people such as Badiou have reformulated the notion of negation believing it to always possess productive, creative elements. Infinite copies of yourself. In his Letter to Menoeceus, Epicurus outlines his philosophy of attaining happiness and details the proper attitude that Epicureans should have toward the gods and toward death. If so, why? If an individual suffered through an excruciating “…pain in the body [or] disturbance in the soul” (131), the lesser pain of the dying moment could distract from the other greater physical pain or greater pain of the soul. Could “I” become consciousness as someone else in the future? His assumption is "fears" arise from and within "experience," therefore the absence of experience cannot be a rational source of fear. A profligate life b. Therefore, it may be concluded that death is bad and should be feared only if the momentary act of dying is painful and only if this pain is greater than the mental pain associated with anticipating and fearing death. Special offer for LiteratureEssaySamples.com readers. Should I prohibit a player from having a character goal that makes me uncomfortable? Skeptic: What do you mean by no longer exist? Theories of rationality/emotions which make Epicurus' death argument work? If what you think is true and everything will finish up to nothingness with death then all of you the believers and non-believers would be the same, but if what they say about God and judging day is true then after death you would find yourself in a long journey never got ready for it before whereas they have got ready for it and can easily continue their way toward the uttermost joy ever after, and you will be regretful of the time you have lost here".