engleski

Epicurean Perception

Epicurean epistemology is usually summarized in a controversial thesis according to which all perceptions are true. Although it seems very problematic and counterintuitive, careful investigation of the main sources shows us that Epicurus claim for the truth of perceptions is not so hasty but supported with some serious arguments. I will try to show in this paper that his epistemological considerations on perceptual infallibility become more convincing and plausible if properly placed within Epicurus general physical theory. The strongest evidence for this strategy of interpretation of connecting epistemology with physics we can find in Epicurus Letter to Herodotus and I will mostly rely on that text in the paper. So, I will first briefly examine Epicurus physical theory according to which everything in the world is composed of atoms and void. Then I will try to explain his account of the process of observation of physical objects. In the end this should provide us with an explanation of why Epicurus assigned epistemic authority to the senses and characterized perceptions as basic truths.

Epicurus; perception; images; visual process

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