Affiliation:
1. Institut za filozofiju i društvenu teoriju, Univerzitet u Beogradu
Abstract
The paper explicates the Epicurean materialistic worldview which, by positing
exclusively the existence of atoms as the basic constituents of everything
existing, excludes any other form of the world?s origin, especially gods.
During the perpendicularly motion of atoms, falling from above downwards in
parallel lines, nothing would ever happen if there were no extremely small
swerve of atoms from their usual path. Only swerve, as an inherent property
of atoms, besides enabling the collision of atoms and the formation of their
conglomerates, i.e., everything that exists, also, as Epicurus believed,
enables freedom itself, i.e., freedom of will and decision-making in humans.
The paper demonstrates that the swerve of atoms, although perhaps necessary,
is not a sufficient condition for attributing freedom to the agents.
Funder
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
Publisher
National Library of Serbia
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