Ethics - General Discussion

In this section we discuss Epicurean Ethics and how to live as an Epicurean in a world where there are no supernatural gods and no life after death.

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  1. Ancient Epicurean Texts (300 BC to 300 AD)
  2. The Lucretius Today Podcast and other Projects
  3. Study Resources and Activism
  4. Physics - The Nature of the Universe
  5. Canonics - The Tests of Truth: The Five Senses, Anticipations, and Feelings of Pleasure and Pain
  6. Ethics - How to Live As An Epicurean
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    2. Understanding of good vs. bad desires? 1

      • Hiram
      • February 13, 2019 at 6:54 AM
      • Hiram
      • February 13, 2019 at 9:09 AM
    3. Replies
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      2.1k
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    4. Cassius

      February 13, 2019 at 9:09 AM

    2. ‪Could #Epicurus save us?‬ ‪A #philosophy of #pleasure could cure our modern ills 1

      • Hiram
      • March 5, 2019 at 5:06 PM
      • Hiram
      • March 5, 2019 at 5:59 PM
    3. Replies
      1
      Views
      1.8k
      1

    4. Cassius

      March 5, 2019 at 5:59 PM

    2. Epicureanism Vs Asceticism 8

      • Hiram
      • March 12, 2019 at 9:44 AM
      • Hiram
      • March 14, 2019 at 1:37 PM
    3. Replies
      8
      Views
      6.7k
      8

    4. Cassius

      March 14, 2019 at 1:37 PM

    2. Empathy vs pleasure 1

      • azbcethananderson
      • May 24, 2020 at 2:27 PM
    3. Replies
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      1.9k
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    4. Don

      May 24, 2020 at 2:27 PM

    2. On "Desires" And Their Relationship To Pleasure 30

      • Godfrey
      • September 10, 2020 at 2:53 PM
      • Godfrey
      • September 12, 2020 at 7:44 PM
    3. Replies
      30
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      13k
      30

    4. Cassius

      September 12, 2020 at 7:44 PM

    2. Inferential Foundations of Epicurean Ethics by David Sedley 1

      • Godfrey
      • June 3, 2021 at 4:47 PM
    3. Replies
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      1.7k
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    4. Cassius

      June 3, 2021 at 4:47 PM

    2. Epicurus On Money, And A Connection With Limits Referenced By A Modern Philosopher 2

      • Cassius
      • June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM
    3. Replies
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      2.4k
      2

    4. Cassius

      June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM

    2. Would There Be Benefit In Adapting the "Benjamin Franklin Journaling Model" To Our Discussion of Practical Exercises? 16

      • Cassius
      • July 12, 2021 at 12:26 PM
    3. Replies
      16
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      8.6k
      16

    4. A_Gardner

      July 12, 2021 at 12:26 PM

    2. To What Extent Is This Consistent With Epicurean Ethics: "Life is Short - Life Passionately"

      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2021 at 4:08 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2021 at 4:08 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      1k

    2. Epicureans On Kingship 15

      • Cassius
      • August 2, 2022 at 10:16 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 10, 2022 at 5:11 AM
    3. Replies
      15
      Views
      6.8k
      15

    4. Sid

      October 10, 2022 at 5:11 AM

    2. Epicurus And Pleasure As The Awareness Of Smooth Motion 13

      • Cassius
      • February 6, 2024 at 12:24 PM
    3. Replies
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      5.1k
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    4. Cassius

      February 6, 2024 at 12:24 PM

    2. "Living Life Full Measure" as an Epicurean Metaphor 3

      • Cassius
      • May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM
    3. Replies
      3
      Views
      1.6k
      3

    4. Pacatus

      May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM

    2. Social feelings/actions to not-friends(or strangers, animals) (Philantropy /compassion /sympathy / kindness / charity /) 4

      • Matteng
      • May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      2.8k
      4

    4. Joshua

      May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM

    2. Would You Rather Live For A Week As (1) Epicurus During the Last Week of His Life or (2) An Anonymous Shepherd Laying In The Grass In The Summertime With No Pain At All? 104

      • Cassius
      • September 6, 2023 at 2:36 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 22, 2023 at 3:28 PM
    3. Replies
      104
      Views
      35k
      104

    4. Pacatus

      October 22, 2023 at 3:28 PM

    2. "Absence Of Pain Is Pleasure" - How Would You Articulate That To Someone? 37

      • Eoghan Gardiner
      • April 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM
    3. Replies
      37
      Views
      17k
      37

    4. Rolf

      April 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM

    2. Explaining Perspectives - Chart Of Whole Organism vs Discrete Feelings

      • Cassius
      • October 17, 2023 at 8:52 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 17, 2023 at 8:52 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      1k

    2. Is All "Ataraxia" Equal? 30

      • Cassius
      • November 18, 2023 at 7:47 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 19, 2024 at 12:29 PM
    3. Replies
      30
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      12k
      30

    4. Cassius

      February 19, 2024 at 12:29 PM

    2. Maximum pleasure as absence of all pain: a philosophical question concerning neuroscientific and Epicurean outlook toward the feeling of pleasure 10

      • shahabgh66
      • January 26, 2024 at 7:24 PM
    3. Replies
      10
      Views
      8.4k
      10

    4. DavidN

      January 26, 2024 at 7:24 PM

    2. When Epicureans Choose Pain / When Epicureans Treat Pain As Good 4

      • Cassius
      • December 22, 2024 at 8:51 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      1.9k
      4

    4. Don

      December 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM

    2. Cicero's Comparison of the Life of Lucius Balbus (Pleasure) Against That Of Marcus Regulus (VIrtue)

      • Cassius
      • August 6, 2025 at 8:55 AM
      • Cassius
      • August 6, 2025 at 8:55 AM
    3. Replies
      0
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      1.5k

    2. Defining and Summarizing Epicurean Ethics 4

      • Kalosyni
      • December 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
    3. Replies
      4
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      112
      4

    4. Kalosyni

      December 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM

    2. The Meaning of Eudaemonia - "Good Demon" 1

      • Cassius
      • January 22, 2018 at 9:56 AM
      • Cassius
      • January 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM
    3. Replies
      1
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      4.7k
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    4. Hiram

      January 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    2. Criticisms of An Article Entitled "Epicurean Pleasure" (October 1, 2018) 4

      • Cassius
      • October 2, 2018 at 9:28 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 9, 2018 at 8:40 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      3.5k
      4

    4. Cassius

      October 9, 2018 at 8:40 AM

    2. My Best Summary As Of November 2018

      • Cassius
      • November 2, 2018 at 7:01 AM
      • Cassius
      • November 2, 2018 at 7:01 AM
    3. Replies
      0
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      1.4k

    2. Major Controversies In Understanding Epicurean Philosophy

      • Cassius
      • December 11, 2018 at 2:25 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 11, 2018 at 2:25 AM
    3. Replies
      0
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      2.5k

    2. Hiram Crespo on The Pursuit of Happiness, Epicurean Philosophy, and Changing Your Mindset 6

      • Hiram
      • December 14, 2018 at 2:23 PM
      • Hiram
      • December 17, 2018 at 12:22 PM
    3. Replies
      6
      Views
      4.7k
      6

    4. Hiram

      December 17, 2018 at 12:22 PM

    2. Why was Epicurus condemned to the sixth circle of hell in Dante's Divine Comedy? 4

      • Hiram
      • January 7, 2019 at 10:55 AM
      • Hiram
      • August 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      5k
      4

    4. Eikadistes

      August 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM

    2. A Place to Start

      • Cassius
      • January 21, 2019 at 4:41 PM
      • Cassius
      • January 21, 2019 at 4:41 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      981

    2. We are All Born Hedonists 1

      • Hiram
      • January 27, 2019 at 11:39 AM
      • Hiram
      • January 27, 2019 at 12:01 PM
    3. Replies
      1
      Views
      1.7k
      1

    4. Cassius

      January 27, 2019 at 12:01 PM

    2. Episode 208: Epicurus on Seeking Pleasure (Part Two) 1

      • Hiram
      • February 4, 2019 at 3:12 PM
      • Hiram
      • February 5, 2019 at 7:04 AM
    3. Replies
      1
      Views
      2k
      1

    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 7:04 AM

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