Rationalism and Rhetoric in Philodemus of Gadara

Abstract

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.