Annikeris

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Annikeris ( ancient Greek Ἀννίκερις Anníkeris , Latinized Anniceris ; * in the 4th century BC in Cyrene ; † in the 3rd century BC) was a Greek philosopher of antiquity . One counts him to the direction of the Cyrenaic .

If there were any, his writings are lost; Only a few ancient accounts of Annikeris' life and teaching are preserved.

Lore

The most important sources are the ancient historians of philosophy Diogenes Laertios and Clemens of Alexandria , further reports can be found in Strabo and in the Suda (lexicon from the 9th century).

Life

The dates of life of Annikeris, who came from Cyrene, are unknown, but from ancient evidence it can be concluded that he was probably in the 4th century BC. BC and must have died in the 3rd. He was probably a student of the philosopher Paraibates and teacher of a certain Poseidonios. Misinformation may be that he lived at the time of Alexander the Great , that he became an Epicurean and the story passed down by Diogenes Laertios that he is said to have ransomed Plato , who had fallen into slavery . Possibly the latter incident was a namesake.

Teaching

See also: Teaching of the Cyrenaists

If Annikeris wrote any writings - there are no reports on them - they have been lost. In some cases it is difficult and often impossible to distinguish between the contributions of the various Cyrenaists to the Cyrenaic doctrine, since the ancient reports often refer to "the Cyrenaics" as a whole. Here are the views that are expressly ascribed to Annikeris.

Lust as the goal of every action

As for the early Cyrenaic , for Annikeris too, lust ( hēdonḗ ) was the goal ( télos ). He took the view that this goal could not apply generally to life as a whole, but that pleasure was the goal of every single action. In order to act consistently in accordance with this insight in everyday life, however, this insight is not sufficient: Courage and habituation must also be added.

The state free from pleasure and pain

The early Cynics had already spoken of a state that was free from pleasure and pain. Annikeris compares this condition to that of a dead person. This comparison is possibly a not entirely serious point compared to Epicurus , according to whose view the state of greatest pleasure would be the state of the elimination of all pain, free of any movement; whereas for the Cyrenaic lust was a movement.

Mental pleasure

In addition to physical pleasure, according to Annikeris, there are also purely emotional sensations. Such can arise from dealing with other people or from ambitious efforts. Friendship, gratitude, respect for parents and political activities can lead to emotional feelings of pleasure. The earlier Cyrenaists recognized these things as being of value only insofar as they could be a means of attaining physical pleasure. Diogenes Laertios, however, points out that for Annikeris it is not the happiness of friends that is worth striving for, but rather one's own emotional feelings of pleasure that arise from the happiness of a friend.

Source collection

literature

Footnotes

  1. ^ Klaus Döring: Annikeris . In: Hellmut Flashar (ed.): Outline of the history of philosophy. The philosophy of antiquity . Volume 2/1, Schwabe, Basel 1998, pp. 259–261, here: p. 259.
  2. ↑ The section on Annikeris' life follows Klaus Döring: Annikeris . In: Hellmut Flashar (ed.): Outline of the history of philosophy. The philosophy of antiquity . Volume 2/1, Schwabe, Basel 1998, pp. 259–261, here: p. 259.
  3. ↑ a b Suda, Article Annikeris .
  4. ↑ Diogenes Laertios, On the Life and Teachings of the Philosophers 2.86.
  5. ↑ Klaus Döring: Aristipp the Elder. and his grandson of the same name . In: Hellmut Flashar (ed.): Outline of the history of philosophy. The philosophy of antiquity . Volume 2/1, Schwabe, Basel 1998, pp. 246-257, here: pp. 246 and 250-252.
  6. ↑ Diogenes Laertios, On the Lives and Teachings of the Philosophers 2.97.
  7. ^ Clement of Alexandria, Stromata (carpets) 2,21,130,7.
  8. ↑ Diogenes Laertios, On the Lives and Teachings of the Philosophers 2.96.
  9. ↑ a b Clement of Alexandria, Stromata (carpets) 2,21,130,8.
  10. ^ A b Klaus Döring: Annikeris . In: Hellmut Flashar (ed.): Outline of the history of philosophy. The philosophy of antiquity . Volume 2/1, Schwabe, Basel 1998, pp. 259–261, here: p. 260.
  11. ↑ Diogenes Laertios, On the Life and Teachings of the Philosophers 2.96-2.97.
  12. ↑ Diogenes Laertios, On the Lives and Teachings of the Philosophers 2.96.
personal data
SURNAME Annikeris
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Greek philosopher and Cyrenaist
DATE OF BIRTH 4th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 4th century BC BC or 3rd century BC Chr.