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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List Of Frequently Used Forums
  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
  7. Uncategorized Section
  8. Epicurean Books, Articles, and Videos (1500's - Present)
  9. Epicurean Historical Figures - Biographies of Epicureans from Epicurus To The Present
  10. Comparisons With Non-Epicurean Philosophies
  11. History, Locations, and Customs Relevant to Ancient Epicureans
  12. Epicurean Symbolism in Art, Music, Literature, and Poetry
  13. Level 03 And Above Discussions
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    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
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    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 7:04 AM

    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. 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
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      5k
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    4. Eikadistes

      August 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM

    2. "Objective Morality" 3

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

      December 26, 2018 at 5:52 PM

    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
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      Views
      4.7k
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    4. Hiram

      December 17, 2018 at 12:22 PM

    2. Epicurean Freedom. Enslavement by culture. The mob. 15

      • Harrington Andros
      • May 14, 2018 at 12:11 PM
    3. Replies
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      11k
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    4. Hiram

      May 14, 2018 at 12:11 PM

    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
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      3.3k
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    4. Cassius

      June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM

    2. Pleasure, Desire and Limits 36

      • Godfrey
      • July 20, 2022 at 8:34 PM
    3. Replies
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    4. Godfrey

      July 20, 2022 at 8:34 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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    4. Cassius

      June 3, 2021 at 4:47 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
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    4. Cassius

      September 12, 2020 at 7:44 PM

    2. Epicurean virtues listed by importance 8

      • godek
      • January 28, 2019 at 8:45 PM
      • godek
      • February 1, 2019 at 7:47 AM
    3. Replies
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    4. Cassius

      February 1, 2019 at 7:47 AM

    2. Mental pleasure/pain more intense and longer lasting than physical pleasure/pain 33

      • frank1syl
      • December 13, 2023 at 10:19 PM
    3. Replies
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      12k
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    4. BrainToBeing

      December 13, 2023 at 10:19 PM

    2. A Pleasant Life instead of Pleasure 7

      • EricR
      • August 4, 2023 at 8:14 AM
      • EricR
      • August 5, 2023 at 8:27 PM
    3. Replies
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      3.6k
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    4. Kalosyni

      August 5, 2023 at 8:27 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
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      17k
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    4. Rolf

      April 16, 2025 at 5:22 PM

    2. How would you respond to an existentialist who says "You Epicureans have chosen pleasure as your meaning but it's not universal" do Epicureans hold that pleasure is the universal Good? 13

      • Eoghan Gardiner
      • June 15, 2023 at 12:36 AM
    3. Replies
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      5.5k
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    4. Root304

      June 15, 2023 at 12:36 AM

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

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

      March 27, 2018 at 7:56 AM

    2. A Man’s Neighbor And His Dog (PDs' 32 & 39 &40)

      • Elli
      • November 5, 2018 at 10:36 AM
      • Elli
      • November 5, 2018 at 10:36 AM
    3. Replies
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      3.1k

    2. Wanting vs Liking

      • Elayne
      • January 24, 2021 at 9:05 AM
      • Elayne
      • January 24, 2021 at 9:05 AM
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      960

    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
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    4. Don

      April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM

    2. 'Their God Is The Belly" / "The Root of All Good Is The Pleasure Of The Stomach" And Similar Attributions 13

      • Cassius
      • November 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
    3. Replies
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      1.4k
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    4. Joshua

      December 11, 2025 at 12:07 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
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    2. Is All Desire Painful? How Would Epicurus Answer? 25

      • Cassius
      • June 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
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    4. TauPhi

      June 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM

    2. Driving Away Bad Habits "Like Evil Men Who Have Long Done Us Great Harm" (Including Addictions)

      • Cassius
      • April 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
      • Cassius
      • April 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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    2. The Argument That the Good Of Animals is Not the Same As The Good of Human Beings

      • Cassius
      • March 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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      769

    2. "Peace and Safety" vs. "Conflict and Danger" 7

      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
    3. Replies
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      2.8k
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    4. Cassius

      February 2, 2025 at 3:47 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
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      Views
      1.9k
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    4. Don

      December 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM

    2. Explaining In Summary Form How A Man In Extreme Pain Can Be Said To Be "Happy" 22

      • Cassius
      • April 20, 2024 at 5:38 AM
      • Cassius
      • July 1, 2024 at 1:24 PM
    3. Replies
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      8.6k
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    4. Kalosyni

      July 1, 2024 at 1:24 PM

    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
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      3.2k
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    4. Don

      February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM

    2. If We Agree For The Sake of Argument That "The Perfect Should Not Be The Enemy of The Good," then let's ask "What *Should* We Consider To Be The Proper Relationship Between The Perfect And The Good?" 8

      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2024 at 4:43 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM
    3. Replies
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      Views
      4.3k
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    4. Don

      February 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM

    2. My 2024 Resolution: Get A More Accurate Picture of Epicurean Pleasure To The World Rather Than "Tranquility" or "Live Unkown"(Comment on Irish Times Article) 15

      • Cassius
      • January 1, 2024 at 7:03 AM
      • Cassius
      • January 27, 2024 at 5:25 PM
    3. Replies
      15
      Views
      6.3k
      15

    4. Eikadistes

      January 27, 2024 at 5:25 PM

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