Posts by Kalosyni

  • Analyzing The Boeing Astronauts From An Epicurean Perspective

    This was originally posted in the discussion of the 6/3/24 First Monday Zoom, but was moved to this new thread.

    Thanks to those who attended last night's Zoom (a total of 7 attendees). We had a fruitful and enjoyable discussion.

    The discussion moved onto the question of whether or not risking one's life for being an astronaut on the Boeing rocket would be a good choice, and whether or not Epicurus would warn against it or support it. We then briefly discussed psychological hedonism.

    The issue is: How does one apply an Epicurean analysis to a high-risk activity?

    In the meeting Cassius stated that it isn't the longest life but the most pleasant. (Letter to Menoeceus) .

    However, I believe that there are several ways to interpret this, and I differ from Cassius because I see this is a kind of remedy for when one develops an illness and is faced with death, that one shouldn't feel that one is missing out on a full life.

    To see last night's slides and a slightly different question see this post:

    Thread

    Health of the Body and Happiness of the Soul -vs- "The Goal is Pleasure"

    I have posted below the text from the slides that I presented at the beginning of the last night's Zoom meeting before we jumped into the discussion. I wanted to add that my original direction that I wanted to take this discussion was that I wanted to present the idea that: to live as Epicureans we need to get more clear about what our life goal is. Here I mean "goal" in a philosophical sense, not in getting a good career or marriage and family (these could be thought of as a means but not an…
    Kalosyni
    June 4, 2024 at 1:34 PM

  • The Facial Expression of Epicurus

    Just for fun I put into an AI image generator: "laughing Epicurus" and this is what I got, and these strike me as being not very photogenic. Others who posted here in this thread above have way much better stuff (especially those which are human made art), but I decided to post these anyway because these bring up the human quality of emotions. Even though we see and think of the stern face of Epicurus in carved busts, he was a human being with emotions.

  • Gabor Maté on Authenticity

    Quote from Julia

    Gabor Maté does a wonderful job at summing up attachment and authenticity in developmental psychology:

    Thanks for sharing the video, very interesting! It seems that when he uses the word "authenticity" he is refering to both internal experience and outer expression of feelings/emotions. Also, I want to mention that when he makes a quick comment that suppressing your authenticity leads to body illness such as cancer, the veracity of that sounds a little questionable.

    Quote from Julia

    He ends with asking:

    “Who would you rather have in your life? Them or yourself?”


    The Epicurean answer: “Myself!”

    This sounds like an "either/or" phrasing which can bring up further problems (I see in your post 3 above you explained a bit further regarding that). His phrase makes it sound like one's "self" is in a very delicate and precarious position (a very vunerable understanding of the "self"). Yet as an adult if someone is causing mental or physical harm to me, I must take action to remove myself from the situation or relationship (which could include a parent or sibling).

    A possible rephrasing of this phrase: "who would you rather have in your life" changed to "I will make wise decisions for maintaining both my present and long-term well-being". (perhaps lots of ways to say the same thing in a broader way). For anyone dealing with "people pleasing", that likely needs help from a professional therapist.

    Also, this metaphor came to mind...that when the airplane cabin loses pressure you need to put on your own oxygen mask first before you help anyone else put on theirs. So it is a matter of placing first priority on taking care of yourself. :)

  • Forum Categories Update

    Quote from Cassius

    At the moment I think we should enforce a limit of 15 categories in any single forum list, and if we get up to 15 we combine one or more of the others so that the number never gets higher than 15.

    But it's possible that it would be better for the number to be 10 or less.

    =O=O=O

    Don We need your help!!

    I take the stand that setting a specific number like that will lead to problems with correctly filing things.

  • June 3, 2024 - First Monday Philosophy Discussion - Agenda

    Hi Everyone, Coming up next Monday on June 3rd is our next "First Monday Epicurean Philosophy Hour" - Via Zoom, 8pm ET.

    Agenda:

    • Welcome
    • Discuss lastest popular threads on the forum
    • Short presentation to introduce the topic, followed by discussion

    This month's topic: Basis and methods for making choices and avoidances -- What is our starting point? What is our goal? What if anything might interfere with the process? What might help us make the best choices and avoidances?

    Open to all forum members! And we especially invite those who are new on the forum. This is a great way to meet, converse, and engage with others who are studying the philosophy of Epicurus.

    We'll be using the same link as last month.

    If you have not yet attended a Zoom, please let us know here if you are interested (or send a private message to Cassius or myself). We will send the link by private message the day before the meeting.

    Looking forward to seeing you there! :)

  • Week 2: The Nature of Things & How We Can Have Knowledge of Them

    Week 2 - The Nature of Things and How We Can Have Knowledge of Them

    The posts in this thread are work-in-progress for the self-paced course: "Introduction to the Philosophy of Epicurus."

    Epicurean physics and canonics are at the foundation of Epicurean philosophy, and the source of this concepts are found within Lucretius' De Rerum Natura, and Epicurus' Letter to Herodotus & Letter to Pythocles.

    Below you will find useful links for self-paced study.

    -- Section 2.1 - Physics --

    1. Article by Cassius Amicus - "Epicurean Physics"

    2. Lucretius Today Podcast - Episode 259 - "Nothing Comes From Nothing"

    3. Forum discussion - Physics - The Nature of the Universe

    and Atoms and Void - Properties, Qualities, And Emergence


    -- Section 2.2 - Canonics --

    1. Article by Cassius Amicus - "Canonics – How Can I Be Confident In What I Think I Know To Be True?"

    2. Lucretius Today Podcast -

    3. Forum discussion - Canonics - The Tests of Truth: The Five Senses, Anticipations, and Feelings of Pleasure and Pain


    -- Section 2.3 - Text Reading for Week 2 --

    -- The Letter to Pythocles

    ************

    Additional links and material will be added soon

  • Week 1: Epicurus, the Garden, and the Extant Texts

    Week 1 - Epicurus, the Garden, and the Extant Texts

    This week's focus will be on the historical context of Epicurus and the Garden, as well as an introduction to the extant texts.

    This post will contain the continued development of a self-paced 7-week course - "Introduction to the Philosophy of Epicurus". To read the course overview and syllabus click here.

    Here you will find links to posts, threads, and other materials on the EpicureanFriends forum which will guide you through self-pace study.

    We welcome any specific questions regarding each week's specific topics, whether or not they have been covered in any other existing threads - just go ahead and please post. Thanks!

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Week 1: Epicurus, the Garden, and the Extant Texts

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    -- Section 1.1 - Epicurus and the Garden --

    1. A Short Biography of Epicurus by Diogenes Laertius

    2. What Did Epicurus Look Like? - Busts and Depictions of Epicurus

    3. Where was the school of Epicurus located? Article excerpts:

    Quote

    While we will probably never know the exact location of Epicurus’s Garden in ancient Athens, we can take a number of educated guesses. We have two primary sources from which to make these guesses: ancient texts that hint at the location of the Garden and modern archaeological excavations. This paper will present the evidence for several possible - and even probable - locations for the properties where Epicurus lived and taught and where his school existed for several centuries after his death.

    One of the primary goals of this exercise is to dispel the myth that Epicurus and his students fled society and founded their communities far from city centers, isolated from society. As will be demonstrated, Epicurus’s Garden was not inaccessible to passers-by or curious visitors.

    Seneca himself states that the motto displayed at the entrance to the original Garden invited
    people to enter:


    "Hospes hic bene manebis, hic summum bonum voluptas est."


    O Guest, here you will do well to tarry; here our highest good is pleasure. (Seneca, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium, Letter XXI)

    Quote

    Situating the Garden along one of the busiest and
    most important thoroughfares in Athens will hopefully dispel rumors of the Epicureans being hidden away like hermits. The Garden was easily accessible, making it easily visited for a lecture by Epicurus by those in all ranks of Athenian society.

    Quote

    ...Epicurus’s Garden was described as being along the road that led from the Dipylon Gate in the city walls of Athens directly to the open-air gymnasium known as the Academy where a certain philosopher by the name of Plato established his school. It’s no more than a pleasant stroll from the Gate to the Academy, and the Garden would have been a welcoming stop along the way. Most scholars do not claim that Plato placed his school in some remote location, and the Garden was even closer to the city than the Academy. The Garden
    was only a short walk from the city, and Epicurus also encouraged his students to take part in the festivals held regularly in Athenian life.

    You will find the full article here: "Where Was the Garden of Epicurus? The Evidence from the Ancient Sources and Archaeology" (article by forum member Don).

    4. Listen to Lucretius Today podcast presentations containing in-depth historical background on Epicurus - Episode 149 --- Episode 150 --- Episode 151 - based on material from Norman DeWitt's book "Epicurus and His Philosophy."

    5. Epicurean Philosophers Timeline Listing by forum member Eikadistes.


    -- Section 1.2 - An Overview of Epicurean Texts --

    We believe that the best way to arrive at a correct understanding of Epicurean philosophy is for each person to study the core texts for themselves, rather than relying on short summaries (or potentially incorrect opinions often found elsewhere on the internet). When taking into account the full body of extant texts we can correctly see the system of thought and worldview that Epicurus created.

    1. Familiarize yourself with: the list of core texts. 

    2. Recommended reading for this week: The Letter to Menoeceus.


    -- Section 1.3 - A General Overview of the Philosophy of Epicurus --

    1. Forum members reply to: How would you explain to someone new "What is Epicurean Philosophy is All About?"

    2. Outlines: Epicurean Philosophy expandable outline (and navigation)

  • Being content in your situation or taking a risk for greater pleasure.

    Something that was said recently in a Zoom meeting has me thinking again about "risk-taking", as well as this post here in another thread.

    There are activities that come with greater risks, for example riding a motorcycle - here are some statistics:

    "The chances of a fatality in a motorcycle accident are approximately 30 times higher than in a car. Motorcycle accidents have a staggering 80% injury or death rate, while car accidents remain around 20%."

    "According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 236 motorcycle crashes result in injuries every day in the United States. In general, the odds of getting into a motorcycle accident are 1 in 100."

    Pondering the Hedonic Calculus or prioritizing "smart choices" would lead one to choose less risky activities. As far as preventing an early death, it is really all about using common sense. And if you completely understand that you only have one life to live, then you will be already be increasing the number of prudent pleasures that you are enjoying, so that you will not need to take up any new risky physical activities, because your life will be full of good stuff and fun stuff.

    Quote from Eoghan Gardiner

    We certainly shouldn't take risks that are likely going to be a failure

    If the failure is losing a lot of money, then that wouldn't be a good idea.

    But this does have me wondering...if the failure is in the mental realm of the mind, such that it doesn't affect the body, but only the mind could be affected by the thought "I tried but I failed" then seems like the risk of failure shouldn't be feared, and because you know that you can then just move on to something else.

    Quote from Eoghan Gardiner

    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.

    Here is something very good for dealing with fear of heartbreak:

    Overcoming the Fear of Heartbreak — Marie Thouin, PhD
    ✨ More than a few of my clients say that they are looking for a magical connection. But saying YES to a magical love life implies taking a big risk:…
    www.loveinsight-dating.com

  • Episode 227 - Cicero's OTNOTG - 02 - Velleius Begins His Attack On Traditional Views Of The Gods

    Quote from Little Rocker

    I suppose what puzzles me about the idea that we should aim to be like the gods is that it might seem perfectly sufficient to aim to be like the *sage.* If, for example, the sage expresses gratitude, but the gods do not (KD 1), then shouldn't I want to be like the sage because I am human?

    Two possibilities:

    -- The writings explaining this have been lost.

    -- Epicurus may have allowed multiple ways to "consider the gods" as long as you foremost believed that they do not intervene or interact with humans.

Finding Things At EpicureanFriends.com

Here is a list of suggested search strategies:

  • Website Overview page - clickable links arrranged by cards.
  • Forum Main Page - list of forums and subforums arranged by topic. Threads are posted according to relevant topics. The "Uncategorized subforum" contains threads which do not fall into any existing topic (also contains older "unfiled" threads which will soon be moved).
  • Search Tool - icon is located on the top right of every page. Note that the search box asks you what section of the forum you'd like to search. If you don't know, select "Everywhere."
  • Search By Key Tags - curated to show frequently-searched topics.
  • Full Tag List - an alphabetical list of all tags.