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Perhaps the gods could be this kind of "preconception". This occurred to me as I was looking at an old book cover.
Face pareidolia - spotting faces in objects that have none. Pareidolia is a mistake of the mind, part of a human tendency to perceive patterns in random circumstances.
Some simplified ideas:
1. All cultures have had conceptions of gods that they worshipped.
2. The gods have no influence on our lives.
3. Since the conception of gods is everywhere (especially so in Epicurus' time), we should take it upon ourselves to think about them as living blessed lives as a result of their perfectly virtuous and incorruptible nature.
Cassius That statement by Atticus according to Cicero could indicate a later development. We know that in Epicurus' will in Diogenes Laertius Book X, that Epicurus asked that Metrodorus and Epicurus' brothers be commemorated, not just himself (...or this could be part of a rhetorical ploy by Cicero).
We have a good thread already started for discussion on organizing communities:
When this conversation bubbles up, I have to ask: What reconstruction or recreation are you envisioning or anticipating?
I think that there are as many dreams of a modern "Kepos" as there are individuals who enjoy Epicurus, and to create any kind of organization would require a leader (or leaders) who can clarify the Epicurean philosophy in such a way that a group of people find it appealing and worthwhile to join together to study and discuss (and to have shared 20th meals 
).
So would modern science include 1, 2, and 4 from Bryan's list in post 15?
If you want to give your mind some direct interaction with regard to the consideration of what is possible and what is impossible, try watching a "sci-fi/fantasy" movie.
In fact, just last night I watched a sci-fi movie that had all sorts of impossible things happening.
Now in our current world we have technology built upon science. But science is a complicated thing in itself. And science uses concepts, models, and theories.
Concept
I have this concept of a unicorn in my thoughts. I know unicorns do not exist but I have this idea of what they would look like if they existed
Model
I had this model made to make it easy to explain my concept. You can see from my model my concept idea looks like a horse with a horn growing from the forehead
Theory
I have a theory that unicorns might exist on other planets and that is where our concept of unicorns comes from. I intend to test my multiple ideas into the theory of unicorns on our planets by checking people who think about unicorns and what planets they also think of. Perhaps I can narrow it down to 1 planet
Concept - Generally (there can be exceptions) a idea about something which does not exist or a idea about something which might exist if we build it
Model - Build a model or make a drawing to show what the concept will look like if made
Theory - A collection of ideas which can be arranged or linked together to produce a new idea which can be tested to see if agrees with reality
(Source)
Here is an interesting read:
List of existing technologies predicted in science fiction - Wikipedia
Forecast just for Don and kochiekoch ...but they say you need to get out from the city lights.
Also, this website has Aurora forecast (for US):
Joshua Tonight, the aurora borealis may be viewable for you:
A G4 storm this weekend!
Just saw this:
Koine Greek, the variety of Greek used after the conquests of Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC, is sometimes included in Ancient Greek, but its pronunciation is described in Koine Greek phonology.
Source: Wikipedia
I found this in Reddit, a sub-Reddit forum dedicated to learning ancient Greek.
Pacatus ...just this morning I found a 1947 edition in the attic and this link shows what it is, and it is illustrated by Mahmoud Sayah:
Now I will be able to read real pages...and can verify what parts are Epicurean!
Golbach a link has been sent to you by private message. Looking forward to meeting you at tonight's meeting.
It seems to me that the "conversations notification" is not very noticeable, and then when a member logs onto the forum very quickly, they don't notice that they have received a private message.
I sent a message and it shows that the person was "online" but it still shows that they did not read my message.
This happens with new members in particular, it seems.
Coming up Monday night 8pm ET - for our First Monday Epicurean Philosophy Discussion - Via Zoom - We will discuss what place ambition has within an Epicurean lifestyle.
There are two shades of meaning for the word "ambition" so this is important to take into consideration. It can refer to any kind of aspiration or it can refer to something to do with career, gaining wealth, power, or fame. Since we already understand that Epicurus refers to power and fame as vain desires, then for Monday night's discussion I am wanting to refer to ambition as "a strong wish to achieve something" (see the Cambridge Dictionary online).
From the Cambridge Dictionary:
B1 [ C ]
a strong wish to achieve something:
Synonyms
intent formal or specialized
B2 [ U ]
a strong wish to be successful, powerful, rich, etc.:
Welcome to the forum Julia
Here is our discussion topic for this next Monday evening, First Monday Zoom meeting:
"What place does ambition have within the practical application of Epicurean philosophy?"
Thomas Jefferson wrote to William Short the following:
"I take the liberty of observing that you are not a true disciple of our master Epicurus, in indulging the indolence to which you say you are yielding. One of his canons, you know, was that “that indulgence which prevents a greater pleasure, or produces a greater pain, is to be avoided.” Your love of repose will lead, in its progress, to a suspension of healthy exercise, a relaxation of mind, an indifference to everything around you, and finally to a debility of body, and hebetude of mind, the farthest of all things from the happiness which the well-regulated indulgences of Epicurus ensure; fortitude, you know is one of his four cardinal virtues. That teaches us to meet and surmount difficulties; not to fly from them, like cowards; and to fly, too, in vain, for they will meet and arrest us at every turn of our road. Weigh this matter well; brace yourself up; take a seat with Correa, and come and see the finest portion of your country, which, if you have not forgotten, you still do not know, because it is no longer the same as when you knew it."
I will bring some thought provoking questions to spur on the discussion.
We'll be using the same Zoom link as previous meetings (and I will send out a meeting reminder before the meeting).
For anyone who has not attended previously and wishes to join us, please let us know here in this thread and we will get the Zoom link to you by private message.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Hi Everyone, Coming up this next Monday night is our monthly Epicurean Philosophy Discussion!
This meeting is open to all forum members
For those who haven't previously attended and are interested, just let us know here in this thread (and we will get the link to you by private message).
Thank you for asking Twentier and you now have that trophy.
Hey! Over here!
I am sort of on the fence...because some mornings I wake up an say to myself: "I too am a Hedonist"...
I am revisiting this thread without re-reading previous posts, just to say that I have been thinking again about how to make Epicurean philosophy more accessable. Some ideas:
1) Create a "sister-site" which gives a quick overview. We already have NewEpicurean.com...however...
...it would be nice to have something a bit more streamlined like a regular website which is geared toward modern times and is focused on practical aspects of applying Epicurean philosophy.
2) Get clear on the "existential" issues that Epicurus covers, and create "conversation starters" for in-person meetings.
