This is a fun read:
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.
At least that's the way I would interpret the "Captain Kirk perspective" on Epicurean philosophy - do everything possible to achieve more pleasure than pain, and push the envelope as far as you can on what is possible, because you're not going to get a second chance.
This may be slightly off-topic... but the problem with "Captain Kirk" is that he is a fictional character, and the on-going story gives him a kind of "immortality" - if he dies then the story ends - so he can't die for the sake of entertainment. In real life, the people who take on certain actions with great risks do end up dying due to events taking a bad turn. Also, I see him as a being like a "modern stoic".
Just yesterday I was reading over the Ethics section of the Wall of Diogenes of Oinoanda, at this website:
It is so fascinating how the maxiums of Epicurus are there, and it must have been magnificient in its original form. The phrasing is slightly different on some so it helps with a fuller cognition.
Very interesting to see Martin Ferguson Smith and the wall in this video released in 2015 (same video was recently posted in other thread by TauPhi):
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.
