• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Deism and Epicurus

S

Straw Dog

Well-Known Member
Greetings!

I was wondering lately about the similarities between deism and the theology postulated by the Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus. He envisioned the gods as being unconcerned with mortal affairs and living in a state of perfect tranquility (ataraxia) within the metakosmia, the empty spaces between worlds in the vastness of infinite space. It was useful to imagine and imitate the deities, but they couldn`t help beyond that. This seems similar in effect to deism as God doesn't directly interfere.

Was this theology a precursor to deism? Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
S

Straw Dog

Well-Known Member
I guess they are different in some ways too. Deism implies a creator deity that observes people whereas the gods for Epicurus weren't creators or particularly aware of human affairs. They were conceived as material beings in a state of freedom from suffering and anxiety. They served as examples of the perfect life, but left human problems for us to solve. Furthermore, Epicurus' theology didn't require a creator since the Universe was eternally self-sustaining and in flux.

Both deism and his theology are naturalistic in their implications. They also leave it on humanity to mature by our own effort and by our own volition in contrast to reward and punishment "daddy" theologies. I can see why both theologies might be considered non-revealed, or rather naturalistic.
 
D

drakek

Member
Straw Dog said:
Greetings!

I was wondering lately about the similarities between deism and the theology postulated by the Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus. He envisioned the gods as being unconcerned with mortal affairs and living in a state of perfect tranquility (ataraxia) within the metakosmia, the empty spaces between worlds in the vastness of infinite space. It was useful to imagine and imitate the deities, but they couldn`t help beyond that. This seems similar in effect to deism as God doesn't directly interfere.

Was this theology a precursor to deism? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

This is old and ancient subject which need to more discover and need to understand,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top