The Critics of Religion in Early Hellenistic Philosophy Cover Image

Критика религии в ранней эллинистической философии
The Critics of Religion in Early Hellenistic Philosophy

Author(s): Vladimir Brovkin
Subject(s): Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Ancient Philosphy, Philosophy of Religion
Published by: Новосибирский государственный университет
Keywords: Euhemerus; Epicurus; Theodorus the Godless; Bion of Borysthenes; Cult of Kings; Olympian religion; religious syncretism; crisis of polis;

Summary/Abstract: This article discusses the socio-historical conditions of the formation of criticism of religious representations in Greek philosophy in the period of early Hellenism. It is established that the formation of this criticism according to Epicurus, Theodorus, Bion and Euhemerus was influenced by the following factors. First, it is the rapid development of the cult of Hellenistic kings. Secondly, it is the emergence of new influential gods, the growing popularity of the Eastern gods in Greece, and religious syncretism. Thirdly, it is a gradual weakening of the traditional cult of the Olympian gods. Fourthly, it is the crisis of the polis, which contributed to the growth of individualism, weakening of religious and moral norms.

  • Issue Year: XIII/2019
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 637-647
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Russian