Recent Updates From Across EpicureanFriends.com
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Cassius
December 27, 2025 at 4:05 AM Replied to the thread Happy Birthday General Thread.PostHappy Birthday to jcblackmon! Learn more about jcblackmon and say happy birthday on jcblackmon's timeline: jcblackmon -
Bryan
December 27, 2025 at 1:53 AM Replied to the thread How Should We Evaluate Abstractions?.PostYes, Epicurus talks about “Speculative Judgement,” (hē theōrētikē doxa), i.e. judgement about conceivable universal characteristics; and the truth-value of this kind of judgement is tested by attestation and contestation via indirect practical… -
EdGenX
December 26, 2025 at 10:06 PM Replied to the thread Fourth Sunday Zoom - December 28, 2025 - Epicurean Philosophy Discussion - Agenda.PostUnfortunately, I can not attend this Sunday's Zoom. However, I did review the calendar for 2026 and will make some adjustments so I can attend future Zoom meets. -
Cassius
December 26, 2025 at 10:04 PM Replied to the thread How Should We Evaluate Abstractions?.PostOne additional thought to add to this is that I would recommend anyone interested in this issue to check out what Norman DeWitt has to say in emphasizing Epicurus' commitment to deductive reasoning.
While atoms are not abstractions, we don't have any… -
Cassius
December 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM Posted the thread How Should We Evaluate Abstractions?.ThreadOne of our recent participants asked me about this topic and it well deserves a thread. I recall in our podcast years ago that I consciously pulled back from some earlier statements that were probably too sweeping in viewing abstractions negatively. My… -
Don
December 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM Replied to the thread Merry Christmas 2025!.Post[…]
Io Saturnalia right back atcha! -
kochiekoch
December 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM Replied to the thread Merry Christmas 2025!.PostIo Saturnalia! A little belatedly.
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Cassius
PostDecember 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM Yes I remember now thinking that the term "essentialism" probably applies more to Aristotle and "ideal forms" more to Plato. The concept appears almost the same with the main issue being "where" this metaphysical entity exists.
I suppose for the sake of… -
Joshua
PostDecember 25, 2025 at 5:58 PM […]
I don't remember if we discussed this on Sunday, but the question of whether essence is prior to existence or, to put it in Platonic terms, being is prior to becoming, is also related to Aristotle's teleology. Aristotle proposed that everything that… -
Daniel188
December 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
I completely agree. It's worth having such a regular practice, if only because it reminds us of philosophy and teaches us to analyze daily life through its lens. -
Don
December 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM Replied to the thread Merry Christmas 2025!.PostMerry Christmas to all!
As Epicurus took an active role in the civic and religious festivals and rites of his day, we too can participate in our time's civic and religious festivals with a fresh Epicurean perspective.
May Christmas/Yule/Solstice give us an… -
Kalosyni
December 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
Somehow, I think that I have developed what is called a "sweet tooth", and which I notice that the more "goodies" that I eat the more that I crave. (I've bought/made a certain amount of Christmas goodies this year, perhaps a bit too many).
When I clean… -
Kalosyni
December 25, 2025 at 9:40 AM Posted the thread Merry Christmas 2025!.Thread
Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas!
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DaveT
December 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
One of the great attractions of Epicurus’ teaching for me is that it seems so grounded in common sense. He clearly was not an ascetic, denying himself even simple pleasures, even acknowledging the “pleasure” of enjoying unnecessary pleasures. Of… -
Don
December 25, 2025 at 8:05 AM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..PostAlthough not directly related to the topic at hand, I found this excellent summary of Dr. Austin's perspective on Epicurus' philosophy in an article I didn't remember her writing:
https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-…ke-an-epicurean
This forum and the podcast… -
Julia
December 25, 2025 at 1:37 AM Commented on the image The Gift of Summer.Comment (Image/Video)From Stallings' rhyming translation:
"Just as now cicadas in the summertime divest
Themselves of their shiny coats, and go out in the world in quest
Of life and livelihood. […]" -
Kalosyni
December 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..PostI think it is important here in this forum to speak up when seeing articles written which say or imply that "Epicurus said to do XYZ" when there isn't speciic textual evidence. -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Well I and others are hoping your editorial output will continue in 2026 so that you will find many more opportunities for rewarding moments in the future!
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Don
December 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
LOL it's still weird - but rewarding - to see my work quoted and referred to. I'm glad it continues to be of service. -
Patrikios
December 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Kalosyni , I appreciate you reading and taking time to comment on my post.
While I referenced Hiram Crespo based on his recent series of Eikas messages that made some references to meditation, I have also been studying the topic of meditation (… -
Don
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".PostFwiw, here's my translation of that section:
The steady contemplation of these things equips one to know how to decide all choice and rejection for the health of the body and for the tranquility of the mind, that is for our physical and our mental… -
Joshua
December 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
δεόμεθα (δέω) can have the meaning of need, but it can also mean lack, which is more in keeping with Epicurean ethics; when we are not in pain, we no longer lack pleasure because we are already experiencing the fullest possible pleasure (as described… -
Kalosyni
December 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
I think that this remedy is only for those who need it, and also worth remembering that the letter mentions that it is not the pleasures of the profligates that are being referred to as pleasures.
Also, we can anticipate that the pleasures of eating,… -
Daniel188
December 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Here we have an example of the hidden philosophical assumptions behind meditation practices. Buddhist teachers often refer to the doctrine of anatta, the doctrine of non-self. Therefore, they recommend observing sensations and their transience and… -
Kalosyni
December 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM Posted the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".ThreadSome thoughts on a practical application of the phrase: "...but when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure."
The following is Bailey translation:
[128] "The right understanding of these facts enables us to refer all choice and avoidance to the… -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM Replied to the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.PostVery interesting thread. I don't have much to add at the moment but I want to make a couple of comments:
1 - i seem to remember that there might be some relevant material in Diskin clay's article "Epicurus' Last Will and Testament"
2 - As this thread… -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Yes I agree with your comments Don. And this is is a good example of being careful about the goal of techniques before they are used. Is your goal as to emotions to "let them pass" or "listen to what they are telling you and take appropriate… -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM Cassius has added the Entry Torquatus' Defense of Epicurus - From Cicero's On Ends to the lexicon.New (Entry)Cicero's Torquatus presents the most extensive advocacy of Epicurean ethics surviving from the ancient world.
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Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM Cassius has added the Entry The True Nature of Divinity - The Views Of Epicurus As Explained by Velleius to the lexicon.New (Entry)Cicero's presentation of the Epicurean point of view on the true nature of divinity.
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