De moraal van het verhaal: Heracles als filosofisch rolmodel in de Socratische traditie

Abstract

Summary: This paper studies the reception of the figure of Heracles in the Socratic tradition. It discusses how various philosophers use Heracles and his Labours to illustrate their theories about the good life and to distinguish themselves from their rivals. Xenophon and Antisthenes use Heracles to criticize the hedonism of their fellow-Socratic Aristippus, arguing that the good life is the product of painful exercise (askêsis). Following in their wake the cynics celebrate the labours (ponoi) of Heracles as a rigorous program of both mental and physical training, with a special interest in the story of the cleansing of Augias’ stables. Stoics likewise regard the beasts and criminals that Heracles has to confront as useful exercises set up for him by divine Providence. In all these cases Heracles represents a life of action. For this reason the greatest of all Socratics, Plato, prefers Eros, the god, who leads us way from the life of action towards the contemplation of intelligible Beauty, over Heracles.