The Rejection of the Epicurean Ideal of Pleasure in Late Antique Sources: not Only Misunderstandings

No disponible en català. Vegeu resum en anglèsEpicureanism was seen by its opponents, both ‘pagan’ and Christian, as the philosophy of pleasure and atheism. From the theological point of view, the accusation of atheism was incorrect, since Epicurus and the Epicureansadmitted of the existence of deities, and posited them as models of moral perfection, while denying their interest in human affairs, i. e. providence. This denial aimed at guaranteeing their imperturbability (ataraxia). From the ethical point of view, the ideal of pleasure (hedone), on which I shall concentrate here, was grossly misunderstood or distorted by the opponents of Epicureanism, who generally did not take into consideration the moderation, equilibrium, and serenity that the superior ‘catastematic pleasure’ (Epicurus’s real ideal of pleasure) involved. I shall analyse the attitude of late-antique sources, especially Christian, toward Epicureanism and its ethics. A great many of Usener’s and Arrighetti’s fragments of Epicurus indeed come from Christian late-antique authors, such as Clement, Origen, Eusebius, Lactantius, and Augustine, but other patristic authors should be added, such as Basil and Gregory of Nyssa. Even if patristic interest in Epicureanism is often critical, and sometimes imprecise or distorted, nevertheless it is tangible. I shall focus on the authors who make the most interesting use of Epicurean sources, particularly with respect to the ethical doctrine: Origen, Dionysius of Alexandria, Lactantius, Ambrose, Jerome and Augustine, Gregory Nyssen, and Nazianzen, the only one who really understood and praised Epicurus’s notion of hedone. I shall also argue that the fading away of the availability and use of good sources on Epicureanism, along with the disappearance of the Epicurean school itself, brought about an impoverishment in the understanding of, and hostility to, Epicurus and Epicureanism

Religion and Science in Gregory of Nyssa: The Unity of the Creative and Scientific Logos

I have chosen to focus on Gregory of Nyssa’s approach to science, for this conference, because, among all the religious thinkers I know, he is one of the very richest theologians and mystics and, at the same time, the one most interested in science, with a positive attitude towards it. Indeed, Gregory († 394ca.) was not only one of the most outstanding theologians in Christian Patristics – a direct heir of the great philosopher, theologian and exegete Origen of Alexandria – but he was also deeply interested in science. These two aspects, theology and science, are not opposed to one another in Gregory’s thought, since both proceed from the same logos. The logos, in its most perfect form, is Christ, the Logos of God, whose full expression is found in Christian revelation (both in Scripture and, more directly, in the very Person of Jesus Christ). But it is also the same logos that has always illuminated all human intellectual achievements in philosophy and science, even among “pagans,” because it is present in every rational creature or logikon as such. Thus, to seek a rational justification and explanation – at the level of the philosophical and scientific logos – of doctrines that come from the logos of Scripture (such as the doctrine of the resurrection) is for Gregory an operation that is not only fully legitimate but also necessary on a very theoretical plane. In sum, for Gregory, science, philosophy and theology are all grounded in the logos and thus ultimately consistent with each other. This paper is one of a collection that originated in the IAHR Special Conference “Religions, Science and Technology in Cultural Contexts:  Dynamics of Change”, held at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology on March 1–2, 2012. For an overall introduction see the article by Ulrika Mårtensson, also published here

Constantine: the legal recognition of christianity and its antecendents

Ya antes de Constantino hubo intentos de invalidar los efectos del senatus consultum (35 D.C.) sobre la ilicitud del cristianismo, como parece haber hecho Galieno, aunque con un efecto parcial y temporal, y como habían intentado tal vez Adriano, Alejandro Severo y Elagabalus. Pero quien realmente invirtió los efectos de esa decisión senatorial fue Constantino, al transformar el cristianismo de una religio illicita en una religio licita en el imperio. En el presente artículo se estudian las implicaciones de ese senatus consultum, que está atestiguado no sólo en Tertuliano, sino también en un pasaje de Porfirio, además de las Actas de Apolonio. Se intenta contextualizarlo en el marco político y religioso de la era tiberiana y la relación entre Tiberio y el Senado. ------------------As Gallien seems to have done before him, but with a partial and temporary effect, and as Hadrian, Severus Alexander, and Elagabalus may have intended to do, Constantine reversed the effects of a senatus consultum from A.D. 35, transforming Christianity from a superstitio illicita to a religio licita in the empire. I study the implications of that senatus consultum, which is attested not only in Tertullian, but also in a Porphyrian passage, besides the Acts of Apollonius. I endeavour to contextualise it in the political and religious framework of the Tiberian age and the relationship between Tiberius and the Senate

Observational indications of magneto-optical effects in the scattering polarization wings of the Ca I 4227 \AA\ line

Several strong resonance lines, such as H I Ly-$\alpha$, Mg II k, Ca II K, Ca I 4227 \AA\, which are characterized by deep and broad absorption profiles in the solar intensity spectrum, show conspicuous linear scattering polarization signals when observed in quiet regions close to the solar limb. Such signals show a characteristic triplet-peak structure, with a sharp peak in the line core and extended wing lobes. The line core peak is sensitive to the presence of magnetic fields through the Hanle effect, which however is known not to operate in the line wings. Recent theoretical studies indicate that, contrary to what was previously believed, the wing linear polarization signals are also sensitive to the magnetic field through magneto-optical effects (MO). We search for observational indications of this recently discovered physical mechanism in the scattering polarization wings of the Ca I 4227 \AA\ line. We performed a series of spectropolarimetric observations of this line using the Zurich IMaging POLarimeter (ZIMPOL) camera at the Gregory-Coud\'e telescope of IRSOL (Switzerland) and at the GREGOR telescope in Tenerife (Spain). Spatial variations of the total linear polarization degree and of the linear polarization angle are clearly appreciable in the wings of the observed line. We provide a detailed discussion of our observational results, showing that the detected variations always take place in regions where longitudinal magnetic fields are present, thus supporting the theoretical prediction that they are produced by MO effects.Comment: Accepted by A&

The Rejection of the Epicurean Ideal of Pleasure in Late Antique Sources: not Only Misunderstandings

Epicureanism was seen by its opponents, both 'pagan' and Christian, as the philosophy of pleasure and atheism. From the theological point of view, the accusation of atheism was incorrect, since Epicurus and the Epicureansadmitted of the existence of deities, and posited them as models of moral perfection, while denying their interest in human affairs, i.e. providence. This denial aimed at guaranteeing their imperturbability (ataraxia). From the ethical point of view, the ideal of pleasure (hedone), on which I shall concentrate here, was grossly misunderstood or distorted by the opponents of Epicureanism, who generally did not take into consideration the moderation, equilibrium, and serenity that the superior 'catastematic pleasure' (Epicurus's real ideal of pleasure) involved. I shall analyse the attitude of late-antique sources, especially Christian, toward Epicureanism and its ethics. A great many of Usener's and Arrighetti's fragments of Epicurus indeed come from Christian late-antique authors, such as Clement, Origen, Eusebius, Lactantius, and Augustine, but other patristic authors should be added, such as Basil and Gregory of Nyssa. Even if patristic interest in Epicureanism is often critical, and sometimes imprecise or distorted, nevertheless it is tangible. I shall focus on the authors who make the most interesting use of Epicurean sources, particularly with respect to the ethical doctrine: Origen, Dionysius of Alexandria, Lactantius, Ambrose, Jerome and Augustine, Gregory Nyssen, and Nazianzen, the only one who really understood and praised Epicurus's notion of hedone. I shall also argue that the fading away of the availability and use of good sources on Epicureanism, along with the disappearance of the Epicurean school itself, brought about an impoverishment in the understanding of, and hostility to, Epicurus and Epicureanism.O Epicurismo foi visto pelos seus oponentes, tanto pagãos quanto cristãos, como a filosofia do prazer e do ateísmo. Do ponto de vista teológico, a acusação de ateísmo era incorreta, desde que o Epicuro e os epicuristas admitiram a existência de divindades e depositaram neles os ideais de perfeição, enquanto negavam seu interesse nos negócios humanos, isto é, a providência. Esta negação visa garantir sua imperturbabilidade (ataraxia). Do ponto de vista ético, o ideal de prazer (hedone), no qual eu irei me concentrar, foi grosseiramente mal-entendido ou distorcido pelos oponentes do Epicurismo, que geralmente não consideravam a moderação, equilíbrio, e serenidade que o "Prazer Catastemático" superior (verdadeiro ideal de prazer do Epicuro) envolvia. Analisarei a atitude em fontes tardo-antigas, especialmente cristãs, a cerca do Epicuro e sua ética. Grande parte de fragmentos do Epicuro de Usener e Arrighetti na verdade são de autores cristãos tardo-antigos, como Clemente, Orígenes, Eusébio, Lactêncio, e Agostinho, mas outros autores patrísticos deveriam ser adicionados, como Basílio e Gregório de Nyssa. Mesmo se o interesse patrístico no Epicurismo fosse frequentemente de crítica, e às vezes imprecisa ou distorcida, no entanto, é tangível. Focarei nos autores que mais se interessaram no uso de documentos do Epicuro, particularmente a despeito da doutrina ética: Orígenes, Dionísio de Alexandria, Lactêncio, Ambrósio, Jerônimo e Agostinho, Gregório Nyssen, e Nazianzeno, o único que realmente entendeu e elogiou noção de hedone do Epicuro. Também argumentarei acerca do desaparecimento da disponibilidade de uso de boas fontes sobre o Epicuro, juntamente com o desaparecimento da própria escola epicurista, que provocou um empobrecimento na compreensão e na hostilidade do Epicuro e epicurismo

Spatial variations of the Sr i 4607 {\AA} scattering polarization peak

Context. The scattering polarization signal observed in the photospheric Sr i 4607 {\AA} line is expected to vary at granular spatial scales. This variation can be due to changes in the magnetic field intensity and orientation (Hanle effect), but also to spatial and temporal variations in the plasma properties. Measuring the spatial variation of such polarization signal would allow us to study the properties of the magnetic fields at subgranular scales, but observations are challenging since both high spatial resolution and high spectropolarimetric sensitivity are required. Aims. We aim to provide observational evidence of the polarization peak spatial variations, and to analyze the correlation they might have with granulation. Methods. Observations conjugating high spatial resolution and high spectropolarimetric precision were performed with the Zurich IMaging POLarimeter, ZIMPOL, at the GREGOR solar telescope, taking advantage of the adaptive optics system and the newly installed image derotator. Results. Spatial variations of the scattering polarization in the Sr i 4607 {\AA} line are clearly observed. The spatial scale of these variations is comparable with the granular size. Small correlations between the polarization signal amplitude and the continuum intensity indicate that the polarization is higher at the center of granules than in the intergranular lanes.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

First polarimetric measurements and modeling of the Paschen-Back effect in CaH transitions

We report the first spectropolarimetric observations and modeling of CaH transitions in sunspots. We have detected strong polarization signals in many CaH lines from the A-X system, and we provide the first successful fit to the observed Stokes profiles using the previously developed theory of the Paschen-Back effect in arbitrary electronic states of diatomic molecules and polarized radiative transfer in molecular lines in stellar atmospheres. We analyze the CaH Stokes profiles together with quasi-simultaneous observations in TiO bands and conclude that CaH provides a valuable diagnostic of magnetic fields in sunspots, starspots, cool stars, and brown dwarfs

Cohort profile: the Swiss Cerebral Palsy Registry (Swiss-CP-Reg) cohort study.

BACKGROUND Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders of movement and posture that follow injuries to the developing brain. It results in motor dysfunction and a wide variety of comorbidities like epilepsy; pain; speech, hearing and vision disorders; cognitive dysfunction; and eating and digestive difficulties. Central data collection is essential to the study of the epidemiology, clinical presentations, care, and quality of life of patients affected by CP. CP specialists founded the Swiss Cerebral Palsy Registry (Swiss-CP-Reg) in 2017. This paper describes the design, structure, aims and achievements of Swiss-CP-Reg and presents its first results. METHODS Swiss-CP-Reg records patients of any age diagnosed with CP who are born, are treated, or live in Switzerland. It collects data from medical records and reports, from questionnaires answered by patients and their families, and from data linkage with routine statistics and other registries. The registry contains information on diagnosis, clinical presentation, comorbidities, therapies, personal information, family history, and quality of life. RESULTS From August 2017 to August 2021, 546 participants (55% male, mean age at registration 8 years [interquartile range IQR: 5-12]), were enrolled in Swiss-CP-Reg. Most had been born at term (56%), were less than two years old at diagnosis (73%, median 18 months, IQR: 9-25), and were diagnosed with spastic CP (76%). Most (59%) live with a mild motor impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level I or II), 12% with a moderate motor impairment (GMFCS level III), and 29% with a severe motor impairment (GMFCS level IV or V). In a subset of 170 participants, we measured intelligence quotient (IQ) and saw lower IQs with increasing GMFCS level. Swiss-CP-Reg has a strong interest in research, with four nested projects running currently, and many more planned. CONCLUSIONS Swiss-CP-Reg collects and exchanges national data on people living with CP to answer clinically relevant questions. Its structure enables retrospective and prospective data collection and knowledge exchange between experts to optimise and standardise treatment and to improve the health and quality of life of those diagnosed with CP in Switzerland