Posts by Eoghan Gardiner
Listen to the latest Lucretius Today Podcast! Episode 228 is now available. This week the Epicurean spokesman Velleius asks "What Woke the Gods To Create The World?
-
-
Ah, ChatGPT... Maybe I'm glass half full, but it could have been worse
Here are some specific problems I see...
4. Practice Mindfulness: Be present and mindful in your daily life. Savor the sensory experiences of the moment, whether it's enjoying a good meal, a beautiful sunset, or a conversation with a friend. (NOTE: While I agree that Epicurus calls us to "savor the sensory experienced of the moment," the use of the jargony "mindfulness" brings some baggage. Again, I'm not saying I disagree with the sentiment ChatGPT came up with for no. 4, but it could imply advocacy for specific forms of mindfulness meditation, etc.)
Mindfulness has been tagged out to everything, from working out to religions to Stoicism and even "corporate" mindfulness to increase productivity. It's funny that they choose to ignore they other 7 parts of the 8 fold path. Although I do believe it has some medicinal benefits, though lately reports are coming out that they are not as remarkable as was made out in the early 2000-2017 ish.
I become big into mental wellbeing as a major source of my own life of pleasure though, I just dislike how mindfulness has become THE Answer, which for many it's not. One of the major sources of my mental well-being is the Epicurean view of God and afterlife. No longer do I say "my body is a temple" instead "my body is a playground " Michel Onfray said that before I believe.
-
Living an Epicurean life in today's society can be a rewarding pursuit, as many of its core principles can be applied to modern life. Here are some practical ways to incorporate Epicurean philosophy into your contemporary lifestyle:
- Cultivate Simplicity: Simplify your life by focusing on the essential and eliminating unnecessary complexities. This can involve decluttering your physical space, reducing your commitments, and prioritizing what truly brings you joy and contentment.
- Embrace Moderation: Enjoy life's pleasures in moderation. Epicurus believed that overindulgence could lead to pain and suffering. Instead of excessive consumption, savor and appreciate the simple pleasures in life.
- Prioritize Genuine Friendships: Cultivate meaningful, trustworthy, and genuine friendships. Spend time with people who bring you happiness and support your well-being. Building and maintaining strong social connections is a fundamental aspect of Epicurean philosophy.
- Practice Mindfulness: Be present and mindful in your daily life. Savor the sensory experiences of the moment, whether it's enjoying a good meal, a beautiful sunset, or a conversation with a friend.
- Seek Intellectual Pleasures: Pursue intellectual pleasures by engaging in lifelong learning, reading, and philosophical exploration. Epicurus believed that the highest form of pleasure is intellectual, so feed your mind with knowledge and meaningful ideas.
- Limit Unnecessary Desires: Examine your desires and distinguish between what is truly necessary for a happy life and what is excessive. Reducing unnecessary wants can lead to greater contentment.
- Mitigate Fear of Death: Address existential fears, including the fear of death, by embracing the idea that death is a natural part of life. Focus on living fully in the present moment and making the most of your time.
- Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep contribute to a healthy and happy life.
- Live in Harmony with Nature: Epicurus believed that living in harmony with nature was essential for happiness. This can mean respecting the environment, spending time in nature, and aligning your lifestyle with natural rhythms.
- Reject Consumerism: Be mindful of the pursuit of material possessions and consumerism. Epicurean philosophy encourages you to find contentment in what you have, rather than constantly seeking more.
- Practice Philanthropy and Altruism: Helping others and contributing to your community can be a source of happiness. Acts of kindness and philanthropy can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
- Seek Autarchy: Foster self-reliance and independence in your thoughts and actions. Make decisions based on your values and rational judgments, rather than being swayed by societal pressures.
Remember that living an Epicurean life doesn't mean avoiding all forms of pleasure; rather, it encourages the pursuit of enduring and meaningful forms of pleasure while avoiding excessive and unnecessary desires. It's a philosophy that emphasizes balance, self-awareness, and the cultivation of a tranquil and contented life. Your interpretation and practice of Epicurean principles can be tailored to suit your own values and circumstances in today's society.
-
-
Thanks Cassius, yes I think I was referring to numbness or the exaggerated of some idealistic state of tranquility, rather than a concrete phenomenological state. Also I would still rather be Epicurus for a week (assuming I return to myself after this week) as I would learn how to live joyfully in the midst of extreme pain which could help me later on.
-
I actually changed my opinion on this, the lack of pain alone is actually still painful because it still an absence of pleasure. We are made to be filled with pleasure so the very lack of it is actually painful, I had this acutely after having a small procedure I was in basically a non state but then I remembered there is no non state it's always either pleasure or pain so the very absence of any pleasure DESPITE being completely pain free ended up being painful to me. So in the end I would be Epicurus for a week despite his pain.
-
-
That's a good point, reminds me of the joke when the doctor saves some ones child the parents say "thank God" instead of thanking the doctor who did 12 hour surgery. Thanks to everyone on this forum
-
A key thing for me and maybe this isn't an Epicurean idea but I think it really is.
With philosophy I don't have to add meaning to things that happen, as if it's sort of part of some design. When something bad or good happens I am not being punished or rewarded it's something that happens in which I am experiencing pleasure or pain that is it. It's freeing, it allows to deal with the problem at hand or to experience the pleasure freely without a need to thank anyone.
-
Ultimately this philosophy doesn't prescribe anything we do, yet we must act in order to live pleasurably we are radically free from destiny to see happiness in pleasure. Epicureanism is unfortunately but less so lately marked by an idea of being ascetic and perhaps not taking risks I think Epicurus and his philosophy and Dr Emily's new book challenge that view.
Then the tension arrives, I am generally happy right now my friends but I know I could take a big risk which could bring massive pleasure. Let's say it was entering a relationship well I am guessing we have all known the absolute joy of intimacy, sex but the heart break of the breakup is very painful.
We certainly shouldn't take risks that are likely going to be a failure (put all life savings on red) but also we can't just try live like cowards who allow life happen to them instead of act using our faculties, what do you think?
-
One of my prouder moments in secondary school was the paper we were asked to write on Natural Family Planning--or in very public vernacular, Vatican Roulette.
Natural family planning is so ridiculous they absolutely hoops they have to jump through to not make it the same as just using contraception is absolutely gas.
Catholicism falls apart when you come to study the bible academically, you can make all the arguments for the existence of God you want but even if they are logically in no way does it point toward the Bible, Quran or anything else.
I used to be friends with Dominicans and they basically just told me "don't worry about scholarship of the bible it's rubbish" for an order devoted to philosophy that didn't seem like a great answer.
-
Catholic guilt prevades the lives of many catholics and ex catholics, when I enjoy food I feel guilty at times, when I laugh with friends I feel guilty...it's very deep for being brought up in this way. It makes it so every pleasure is marked with guilt. Speaking to hundreds of other ex catholics over the years it seems to be a common thing.
For example I am playing video games, I feel guilty I feel as if I am doing wrong. Other Christians seem to get it around sexually matters but Catholics and Orthodox seem to get it around every pleasure every joy.
-
My problem is I really can't escape Catholic guilt. I wish I could.
-
I was raised in a milieu of Christian/Stoical/Kantian “virtue moralism” that I liken to a Pavlovian programming that leaves an array of reactive triggers in your subconscious – that can grab you decades later (at least for me).
Yeah, in my experience it never goes away....it just gets muffled.
Yep same for me, at times it becomes overwhelming.
-
I was raised in a milieu of Christian/Stoical/Kantian “virtue moralism” that I liken to a Pavlovian programming that leaves an array of reactive triggers in your subconscious – that can grab you decades later (at least for me).
Yeah, in my experience it never goes away....it just gets muffled.
Yep same for me, at times it becomes overwhelming.
-
Yeah I think so, if it doesn't I think Epicurus would say you aren't practicing philosophy.
-
What about "existential angst" and Sartre's "hell is other people"? (I'm sure you are far better read than I am here, and I don't intend these as argumentative questions.)
Sartre mean't something else by that phrase, he was a big fan of being with his friends (especially his long term partner Simone who is also a philosopher) they sat around Cafes, pubs etc.. talking philosophy.
I don't 100% understand what he means by this phrase but it has something to do with another persons perception of you being like hell as that perception is ontologically within in them.
The idea of "the other" aka another person was a big thing for him, tbh I doubt I am more well read I am just reading through Sartre recently this year.
-
I don't think Epicureans and existentialists are at odds really, I think the ultimate reality of choosing your own essence is ultimately gonna end up the same as what is most pleasurable (Existentialists are heavily influenced by phenomenologists as well which tries not to abstract so much as far as I know..)
You exist but what you are isn't predefined, unlike Plato and other religions. We could say we exist but what is most pleasurable for me isn't pre decided for the most part (even existentialists would say that we are still constrained by our natural needs etc..) instead I discover what's most pleasurable for myself and decide myself.
Edit: In hindsight I don't think an existentialist would even ask the question I posited.
-
-
The link between Christianity and Neoplatonism