Psychiatria pre prax 3/2018
Koncept hedónie v antických filozofických teóriách
Concept of hedonia in ancient philosophical theories
The proposed paper aims to reflect the concept of hedonia (from Ancient Greek hedone = pleasure, delight, enjoyment) in ancient philosophical reflections of the world and human being. The author endeavors, in chronological order of the most important ancient philosophical theories and movements (Pre-Socratics, Sophists, Socrates, Aristotle, Cynics, Stoics, Epicureans, Skeptics), to show that the desire to achieve pleasure was an integral and indispensable part of everyday life in antiquity. The paper clearly intimates that the humanistic ideals of contemporary psychiatry fit in perfectly with the search of the ancients for a happy and eudemonic life. Moreover, an ancient predecessor and founder of modern psychiatry treatment is identified in the personality Antiphon, Greek sophist from Corinth. The paper touches slightly the topic of medical terminology, as well, dealing with Greek origin of some medical terms widely used in psychiatry.
Keywords: hedonia, eudaimonia, ancient philosophy, art of life, psychiatric intervention
