Epicurus adopted Democritus's atomic theory and used it as his basis to argue that
A) all caused events have purpose.
B) all caused events are accidental.
C) individuals need not fear the whims of the gods and are free to pursue socially responsible forms of happiness.
D) individuals need not fear the whims of the gods and are free to pursue unbridled hedonism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Epicurus believed that the gods, if they existed, did not interfere in human affairs and that individuals were free to pursue socially responsible, moderate forms of happiness. This belief was based on his adoption of Democritus's atomic theory, which held that all things were ultimately composed of atoms in motion and that natural laws governed the behavior of these atoms. Thus, Epicurus believed that the world was deterministic but not directed by divine intervention, and that individuals could control their own happiness by pursuing a life of moderate pleasures and avoiding pain.

Epicurus Adopted Democritus's Atomic Theory and Used It as His