Deck 9: Two Arguments for Epicureanism

Question 1

According to the Timing Argument

A) A person's death is bad for her, but it does not harm her.
B) A person's death is bad for her, but there is no time at which it is bad for her.
C) Since there is no time at which a person's death is bad for her, her death is not bad for her.
D) Since a person's death is not bad for her, there is no time at which it is bad for her.

Answer 1

Since there is no time at which a person's death is bad for her, her death is not bad for her.

Question 2

According to subsequentism

A) A person's death is bad for her after it occurs.
B) A person's death is bad for her at all times at which she occupies a well-being level of zero.
C) A person's death is bad for her at the moment she dies.
D) A person's death is bad for her at times at which she no longer occupies any well-being level.

Answer 2

A person's death is bad for her after it occurs.

Question 3

According to atemporalism

A) A person's death does not occur at any time.
B) A person's death is bad for her, but there is no time at which she occupies any well-being level.
C) A person's death is not bad for her, but there is a time at which it is bad for her.
D) A person's death is bad for her, but there is no time at which it is bad for her.

Answer 3

A person's death is bad for her, but there is no time at which it is bad for her.

Question 4

According to the Future Well-Being Argument

A) Although a person's death is detrimental to her well-being after it occurs, it is not bad for her.
B) Since a person's death is not detrimental to her well-being after it occurs, it is not bad for her.
C) A person's death is detrimental to her well-being before it occurs, but not after it occurs.
D) Since a person's death is not detrimental to her lifetime well-being, it is not bad for her.

Question 5

Johansson accepts

A) The Timing Argument but not the Future Well-Being Argument.
B) The Future Well-Being Argument but not the Timing Argument.
C) Neither the Timing Argument nor the Future Well-Being Argument.
D) Both the Timing Argument and the Future Well-Being Argument.

Question 6

What is Epicureanism? What is the Timing Argument? What is subsequentism and how is it supposed to undermine the Timing Argument? How can subsequentism be supported? What is atemporalism and how is it supposed to undermine the Timing Argument? How can atemporalism be supported? Is subsequentism more plausible than, equally plausible as, or less plausible than atemporalism? Why?

Question 7

How does Johansson argue against the Future Well-Being Argument? How could an Epicurean try to respond to his criticism? Is Johansson's criticism convincing? Why/why not?