Kaluđerović, ŽeljkoThe paper analyses fragmentarily preserved views of Empedocles, that, in the author’s opinion, represent the antecedents of deviations from the anthropocentric vision of the world and anticipate the majority of later attempts at scientific, philosophical, and legal modifications of the status of all living beings. Empedocles, namely, claims that all beings think, i.e., that they have understanding or consciousness. He is, moreover, portrayed as a proponent of the thesis that plants as well have both intellect and the ability to think, and that they are driven by desire and have feelings, sadness and joy. According to him, the idea that the whole nature is akin not only has a vital-animal meaning but, to a certain extent, a mental meaning. Empedocles urged his disciples to abstain from consuming ensouled beings, since it is in the bodies of these beings that penalized souls reside. He believed that he himself was one of them who had been killed and eaten, and that it is by purification that prior sins in connection with food should be treated. Empedocles’ case shows that humans are living beings that err, and that they owe to animals justice based on mutual kinship. Aside from living a pure life, practicing the recommended katharmoi, and abstaining from flesh in any version, the path to the salvation of the soul leads through two additional dimensions. The first is being revealed in the important phrase of the sage from Acragas that one should fast from evil. And secondly, the wealth of divine thoughts is connected with being happy, just as those who have vague opinions about the gods are wretched. Eventually, the “Sicilian Muse” believed that if people live in a holy and just manner, they shall be blessed in this life, even more so after leaving this one, because they will achieve happiness that will not be temporarily, and be able to rest for eternity.application/pdfhttps://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/Conatus/article/view/31570engThe NKUA Applied Philosophy Research LaboratoryCopyright (c) 2023 Željko Kaluđerovićhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0Conatus-Περιοδικό Φιλοσοφίας2459-38422653-9373Conatus - Περιοδικό Φιλοσοφίας; Τόμ. 8 Αρ. 1 (2023): Conatus - Journal of Philosophy; 167-183Conatus - Journal of Philosophy; Vol. 8 No. 1 (2023): Conatus - Journal of Philosophy; 167-183ensoulmenthappinesswhole nature is akinEmpedoclesjusticeincarnationkatharmoiabstainingEmpedocles on Ensouled Beingsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion2023-06-30Δημοσίευση σε περιοδικόPublication in journalΦιλοσοφίαPhilosophyisi - Philosophy covers resources on every branch of philosophy including logic, metaphysics, epistemology, descriptive ethics, and metaphilosophy.Επιστημονικό άρθροScientific articleΕργαστήριο Εφαρμοσμένης ΦιλοσοφίαςGreek Aggregator OpenArchives.gr | National Documentation Centre (EKT)