Aristippus (Aristippos)

Aristippus, Aristippos, of Cyrene, ca. 435 - after 366 years. BC. e., Greek philosopher. In Athens, was a disciple of Socrates. Later, as the sophists (1.) Taught for the money. Some time led a wandering life (among other things visited the court of Dionysius I and II in Syracuse). At the end of life, probably returned to Cyrene, where he lived with his daughter, Aretha. - A. argued that because of his philosophy he had found inner freedom, which allows him to enjoy (hedone) from any situation in life, regardless of wealth. Works A. (including dialogues and diatribes) were killed. Instructions A. and anecdotes about him have survived mainly in Diogenes Laertius and come from the collection, which was created later, at the beginning of III in. BC. e.

It is impossible, however, be ascertained to what extent this doksograficheskaya tradition reflects the views of the A. Is controversial as the question as to whether a. founder of the philosophical school of Cyrenaica, or it was his grandson Aristippus the Younger, called Metrodidaktos (a pupil of his mother), who created a comprehensive system of hedonism, based on the views of his grandfather. The main category of teaching, known as AA, limited by ethical issues, it was fun, understood physically. Getting the pleasures that the philosopher, however, manages, is true happiness (eudaimonia). Later Cyrenaica (ie followers of the teachings of AA, Anniker, Hegesias and Theodore) significantly changed these views. The school ceased to exist in the middle of the III. BC. e. Plato belonged to A. with hostility: he particularly emphasized in the Phaedo the absence of A. at the death of Socrates, and also criticized the hedonism A. (without naming him) in Filebe. In his Memoirs of Socrates, Xenophon presented Socrates, arguing against a. He was the main character works Spevsippa and Stilpona from Megara (who denounced his views and way of life).