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Chapter 8 - Epilogue

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2024

Chiara Ferella
Affiliation:
Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Germany
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Summary

By first providing a summary of the main arguments in each chapter and then highlighting the ways, elaborated in this study, in which Empedocles’ physics is consistent with his religious interests in rebirth and purification, Chapter 8 sets out the main conclusion of this book, namely that rebirth and purification are an integral part of Empedocles’ physical system; indeed, that rebirth seems to be a premise of some of his physical principles and theories. In doing so, in addition to a new textual reconstruction of the proem of the physical poem, this book offers new insights into pivotal concepts and much debated issues of Empedocles’ thought, such as the conceptualization of rebirth and the notions of daimon, soul and personal survival, the purpose and role of physical doctrine for release from rebirth, the reconstruction of the cosmic cycle and the analysis of its moral significance. Finally, it is emphasized that this novel reconstruction of Empedocles’ thought, together with the book’s methodological standard, can provide a key to approaching and re-evaluating the character and aims of the thought of other early thinkers and of fifth-century natural philosophy in general.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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  • Epilogue
  • Chiara Ferella, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Germany
  • Book: Reconstructing Empedocles' Thought
  • Online publication: 01 February 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009392600.009
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  • Epilogue
  • Chiara Ferella, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Germany
  • Book: Reconstructing Empedocles' Thought
  • Online publication: 01 February 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009392600.009
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Epilogue
  • Chiara Ferella, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Germany
  • Book: Reconstructing Empedocles' Thought
  • Online publication: 01 February 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009392600.009
Available formats
×