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. The Meaning of Eudaemonia - "Good Demon" 1

      • Cassius
      • January 22, 2018 at 9:56 AM
      • Cassius
      • January 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM
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    4. Hiram

      January 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    2. A Hypothetical To Assist Self-Awareness And Understanding - "Which Shall It Be?" 1

      • Cassius
      • February 3, 2018 at 10:32 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 6, 2018 at 2:24 PM
    3. Replies
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      1.9k
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    4. Cassius

      February 6, 2018 at 2:24 PM

    2. On the associations between Virtue and Pleasure and my Epicurean Write up 1

      • Eoghan Gardiner
      • March 27, 2018 at 7:56 AM
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    4. Cassius

      March 27, 2018 at 7:56 AM

    2. Star Conclusions of Epicurean Theory 1

      • Cassius
      • October 24, 2018 at 9:09 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 26, 2018 at 7:10 PM
    3. Replies
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      1.8k
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    4. Cassius

      October 26, 2018 at 7:10 PM

    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
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      1.7k
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    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
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      2k
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    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 7:04 AM

    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
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      1.8k
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    4. Cassius

      March 5, 2019 at 5:59 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. 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. Graphic - Cassius To Cicero - A Question of Word Choice 2

      • Cassius
      • February 11, 2018 at 8:53 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 11, 2018 at 9:50 AM
    3. Replies
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      3.7k
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    4. Cassius

      February 11, 2018 at 9:50 AM

    2. A General Thought About The Future Of Epicurean Philosophy - On The Meaning of "Pleasure" 2

      • Cassius
      • April 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM
    3. Replies
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      3.5k
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    4. Hiram

      April 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM

    2. Priorities: How To Rank "Pursuing Pleasure" vs. "Avoiding Pain" 2

      • Cassius
      • February 4, 2019 at 5:10 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 5, 2019 at 5:18 PM
    3. Replies
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      2.3k
      2

    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 5:18 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
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    4. Cassius

      June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM

    2. Sedley paper on Plato with interesting Epicurean implications 2

      • Don
      • April 30, 2022 at 7:32 AM
      • Don
      • April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM
    3. Replies
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      2.3k
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    4. Don

      April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM

    2. Desiderata 2

      • Pacatus
      • August 2, 2023 at 7:02 PM
      • Pacatus
      • August 2, 2023 at 7:45 PM
    3. Replies
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      1.8k
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    4. Pacatus

      August 2, 2023 at 7:45 PM

    2. Questions re Pleasure 2

      • Matteng
      • November 9, 2024 at 5:35 AM
      • Matteng
      • November 9, 2024 at 3:50 PM
    3. Replies
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      2.5k
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    4. Matteng

      November 9, 2024 at 3:50 PM

    2. Why Do We Focus On "Pleasure" as the Goal and the Good, Rather than "Happiness?" 3

      • Cassius
      • December 18, 2018 at 8:50 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 18, 2018 at 12:47 PM
    3. Replies
      3
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      3.9k
      3

    4. Cassius

      December 18, 2018 at 12:47 PM

    2. How To Turn Epicurean Philosophy On Its Head As Quickly As Possible - A Quick Comment on Mark 12 3

      • Cassius
      • December 21, 2018 at 8:58 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 21, 2018 at 3:22 PM
    3. Replies
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      2.9k
      3

    4. Matt

      December 21, 2018 at 3:22 PM

    2. Nietzsche Channeling Epicurus "Never Losing One's Own Way," and How To Proceed With Philosophical Therapy 3

      • Cassius
      • December 23, 2018 at 10:13 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 1, 2019 at 10:27 AM
    3. Replies
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      4.3k
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    4. Cassius

      February 1, 2019 at 10:27 AM

    2. "Objective Morality" 3

      • Hiram
      • December 26, 2018 at 11:51 AM
      • Hiram
      • December 26, 2018 at 5:52 PM
    3. Replies
      3
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      4.7k
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    4. Cassius

      December 26, 2018 at 5:52 PM

    2. New Book by Erler (Würzburg Center): "Epicurus: An Introduction to His Practical Ethics and Politics" 3

      • Titus
      • June 24, 2021 at 3:39 PM
      • Titus
      • November 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM
    3. Replies
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      5.4k
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    4. Patrikios

      November 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM

    2. “How Epicurean Science Saves Humanity” 3

      • Pacatus
      • September 8, 2022 at 6:13 PM
      • Pacatus
      • September 8, 2022 at 6:54 PM
    3. Replies
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      2.3k
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    4. Cassius

      September 8, 2022 at 6:54 PM

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

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

      May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM

    2. Spitting Upon the Beautiful... 3

      • Adrastus
      • October 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
    3. Replies
      3
      Views
      534
      3

    4. Cassius

      October 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM

    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
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      3.5k
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    4. Cassius

      October 9, 2018 at 8:40 AM

    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
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      5k
      4

    4. Eikadistes

      August 16, 2025 at 10:10 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. Ruminations on leading with “Pleasure and Pain as the Guide” v “The Goal is Pleasure” 4

      • Godfrey
      • June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      3.3k
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    4. Cassius

      June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM

    2. Given The Stress That Many Greek Philosophers' Placed On "Virtue" or a perfect view of "The Good" As The Ultimate Goal, To What Extent Would An Epicurus Have Considered That Approach An "Unnatural and Unnecessary Desire?" 4

      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2024 at 4:51 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      3.2k
      4

    4. Don

      February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM

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