Abstract

BRAICOVICH, Rodrigo. Rationalism and Rhetoric in Philodemus of Gadara. Diánoia [online]. 2017, vol.62, n.79, pp.141-164. ISSN 0185-2450.

I aim to examine certain specific aspects of the work of Philodemus of Gadara from the point of view of the rhetorical dimension of philosophical speech in order to show that Philodemus’ use of certain rhetorical devices i) does not necessarily entail a break with Epicurean norms on the correct usage of rhetoric, ii) cannot be read as an abandonment of the Epicurean rationalist project, but iii) may be interpreted as an expression of a rich and complex conception of human reason, a conception that incorporates the descriptive capacities of human language as essential tools for the transmission of relevant information in decision procedures.

Keywords : Epicureanism; description; visualization; cognitivism; understanding.