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DaveT
October 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM Replied to the thread Studies on Epicurus' Influence on Marx.PostI had read an interesting book: The Longing for Total Revolution: Philosophic Sources of Social Discontent from Rousseau to Marx and Nietzsche, by Bernard Yack (Princeton University Press, 1986) awhile back that touched on Marx's focus on economics as… -
Pacatus
October 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM Replied to the thread Studies on Epicurus' Influence on Marx.Post[…]
Thank you! This is so much better than the translation that I have. Kudos! -
Pacatus
October 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM Replied to the thread Studies on Epicurus' Influence on Marx.PostMy interest (as a once-upon-a-time economist) lies in broadly-defined Marxian economic analysis, rather than Marxist (and, especially, such as Leninist/Maoist) political movements. That distinction was brought to me, as a graduate student, by a professor… -
DaveT
October 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostI liked learning about ancient worship practices discussed here. I can add some insight to the original posting by Kalosyni My experiences in Salem Massachusetts where my novel on the witch trials brought me to Salem multiple times. You might be… -
Kalosyni
October 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM Posted the thread Happy Twentieth of October 2025.Thread
Happy Twentieth Everyone!
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Kalosyni
October 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostJust one idea for an alternative to Halloween...
...dress up as a blissful and immortal being...and eat cake and ice-cream!
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Kalosyni
October 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM Replied to the thread The Nature of the Mind, the Spirit, and Death.PostI just found this video, by Gregory Sadler, "Mortality of Mind and Spirit" gives a good introductory overview:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=klSgxQEQovs&t
Looks like he has done a whole series on Lucretius. -
Cassius
October 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM Replied to the thread Episode 302 - TD30 - Epicurus and Roads Paved With Good Intentions.PostThanks to Don's suggestion I am finding it easier (but still not fast) to generate transcripts of the shows. Below is a link to an edited version of Episode 302 -
https://epicureanfriends.substack.com/p/epicurus-and…d-that-is-paved -
SillyApe
October 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM Replied to the thread What Are Some Epicurean Tips to Deal With Anxiety Over Painful Scenarios?.PostThanks, everyone, for the help. I am feeling much better now. Life can be tough sometimes, so I am glad we at least have Philosophy by our side to help us. -
Eikadistes
October 19, 2025 at 12:56 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostSo far as our local holidays go, I keep two quotes from On Piety in mind:
[…]
If the Hegemon wore sneakers instead sandals, I imagine he'd carve pumpkins, too.
But also,
[…]
The first day of Anthestḗria shared a bit in common with the theme of Halloween (and… -
Rolf
October 19, 2025 at 12:16 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostI mean, Epicurus celebrated festivals for the gods, right? I imagine he'd enjoy the Halloween festivities in the same way. Besides, I don't think most people who celebrate Halloween actually believe in any of the supernatural aspects. It's probably the… -
Martin
October 19, 2025 at 5:29 AM Replied to the thread What Are Some Epicurean Tips to Deal With Anxiety Over Painful Scenarios?.PostWhat I observed and found confirmed in Philodemus' writings is that an initial sting of anger is unavoidable/normal/desirable/good and we should address it consciously and acknowledge it. We should anticipate that the interaction of the mind ruminating… -
Zarathustra
October 19, 2025 at 3:17 AM Replied to the thread Welcome Zarathustra!.Post[…]
Thank you Kalosyni. -
Don
October 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostI'm wondering if this is a point of difference between Epicurus (3rd-4th c BCE, Greek) and Lucretius (1st c BCE, Roman) if we accept the authenticity of Epicurus' letters in Diogenes Laertius (3rd c CE).
Epicurus' will clearly states that he wants burnt… -
Joshua
October 18, 2025 at 9:34 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostDon is right to mention the classical festivals of the dead, but it is worth noting that when Lucretius makes references to these practices (the feasts of Feralia, Parentalia, and Lemuria in Rome) it is generally to reveal the fear, foolishness, or… -
Don
October 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.Posthttps://www.hellenion.org/festivals/genesios/
A festival dedicated to remembering the dead
Also the funerary offerings Epicurus mandated for parents and brothers is ἐνάγισμα, (enagisma) offering sacrifice to the dead, opp. θύω (to the gods). See
… -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM Replied to the thread Why And How Epicurus Would Disagree With Ayn Rand / Objectivism - General Thread.PostIf that's not already in the new forum section we will move there. -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.Post[…]
Yes I agree and realized that during editing that I should have been more precise. I intended to strongly emphasize the "his own" to show that he was looking at this very broadly and factoring in how other people affect him, but that didn't come… -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.PostThanks I will look into that! The existing podcast provider does have a transcript, but it is not very good. -
Don
October 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.Post -
Don
October 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.Post[…]
This could be a matter of semantics, but I'm going to push back ever so slightly on the "Epicurus is not always looking to his own advantage." Pleasure is subjective. The only standard we have to assess if we're living happily/pleasurably is… -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.PostPlanning yes, but schedule unknown. It's a big effort. However I am coming around to the idea that the podcast audio versions can serve as a "first draft" that when edited further turn into really good articles with wider impact. So yes I am going to… -
Don
October 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.Post[…]
Oh! This makes searching for particular parts SO much easier! Thanks for this! Are you planning on posting episodes going forward? -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM Replied to the thread Episode 303 - Is It Truly Impossible To Advocate For Epicurus In The Public Sphere?.PostSubstack transcript version of this podcast available here:
https://epicureanfriends.substack.com/p/is-it-truly-impossible-as-cicero -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.Post[…]
I already "liked" the main post but I can't resist adding an set of
here. -
Cassius
October 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM Replied to the thread What Are Some Epicurean Tips to Deal With Anxiety Over Painful Scenarios?.Post[…]
SillyApe
I am sorry to hear all that which you posted. You have raised all sorts of issues which are impossible to deal with directly without more details, but you are also right that it would probably not be appropriate for us to try to go further… -
Kalosyni
October 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.PostI'll add this quote by Cassius which was posted over in another thread:
[…]
But I see the point being, just because everyone else is doing something doesn't mean that I should choose to do something. -
Kalosyni
October 18, 2025 at 1:42 PM Replied to the thread Why And How Epicurus Would Disagree With Ayn Rand / Objectivism - General Thread.Post -
Kalosyni
October 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM Replied to the thread What Are Some Epicurean Tips to Deal With Anxiety Over Painful Scenarios?.Post[…]
Whether or not (and why) western society is currently having an uptick of increasing criminal violent behavior, is hard to know. Consider that perhaps anger and resentment are a kind of fuel for those who are the perpetrators of crime and violence,… -
Kalosyni
October 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM Replied to the thread Should Epicureans Celebrate Something Else Instead of Celebrating Halloween?.Post[…]
It is up to each person to decide if and how to engage with popular modern day festivals... however... I want people to open their eyes and realize that they are participating in something that in many aspects elevates ideas that insist that there is…
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