Ethics - General Discussion

In this section we discuss Epicurean Ethics and how to live as an Epicurean in a world where there are no supernatural gods and no life after death.

Latest Lucretius Today Podcast:  #291 - "Is Virtue Or Pleasure The Key To Overcoming Grief?'" | Things To Know When First Reading Epicurus: The Epicurean Paradigm Shift | Featured Videos | Community Standards And Posting Policies |

We are now requiring that new registrants confirm their request for an account by email.  Once you complete the "Sign Up" process to set up your user name and password, please send an email to the New Accounts Administator to obtain new account approval.

Regularly Checking In On A Small Screen Device? Bookmark THIS page!

Welcome to the EpicureanFriends Forums page. Please be sure that all posts conform to our policies for posting as linked at our Terms of Use page. Scroll down to navigate through the full forum. Or you can: Search by forum Tag -or- Search by Forum Shortcuts Page -or- check out our List of Featured Threads -or- from any sub-forum you can return to the main Forum Board List. Not sure where to post? Read our guidance on where to post.

List Of Frequently Used Forums
  1. Ancient Epicurean Texts (300 BC to 300 AD)
  2. The Lucretius Today Podcast and other Projects
  3. Study Resources and Activism
  4. Physics - The Nature of the Universe
  5. Canonics - The Tests of Truth: The Five Senses, Anticipations, and Feelings of Pleasure and Pain
  6. Ethics - How to Live As An Epicurean
  7. Uncategorized Section
  8. Epicurean Books, Articles, and Videos (1500's - Present)
  9. Epicurean Historical Figures - Biographies of Epicureans from Epicurus To The Present
  10. Comparisons With Non-Epicurean Philosophies
  11. History, Locations, and Customs Relevant to Ancient Epicureans
  12. Epicurean Symbolism in Art, Music, Literature, and Poetry
  13. Level 03 And Above Discussions
  14. EpicureanFriends Zoom Meetings

    2. A Place to Start

      • Cassius
      • January 21, 2019 at 4:41 PM
      • Cassius
      • January 21, 2019 at 4:41 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      847

    2. An Epicurean "Sanity Check" 14

      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2019 at 11:55 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 5, 2019 at 8:20 AM
    3. Replies
      14
      Views
      7.6k
      14

    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 8:20 AM

    2. Priorities: How To Rank "Pursuing Pleasure" vs. "Avoiding Pain" 2

      • Cassius
      • February 4, 2019 at 5:10 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 5, 2019 at 5:18 PM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      2.1k
      2

    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 5:18 PM

    2. On The Relationship of Eudaemonia And Pleasure

      • Cassius
      • July 10, 2019 at 7:02 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      1.2k

    2. Are You Epicurean Or Hieronymian? 26

      • Cassius
      • October 1, 2019 at 2:08 PM
      • Cassius
      • June 30, 2022 at 5:44 AM
    3. Replies
      26
      Views
      15k
      26

    4. Cassius

      June 30, 2022 at 5:44 AM

    2. From Elli: ""And the pleasure which we daily feel in all these things helps us to banish any sorrow." - Pericles the Athenian.

      • Cassius
      • January 6, 2021 at 10:27 AM
      • Cassius
      • January 6, 2021 at 10:27 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      972

    2. Epicurus On Money, And A Connection With Limits Referenced By A Modern Philosopher 2

      • Cassius
      • June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      2k
      2

    4. Cassius

      June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM

    2. Would There Be Benefit In Adapting the "Benjamin Franklin Journaling Model" To Our Discussion of Practical Exercises? 16

      • Cassius
      • July 12, 2021 at 12:26 PM
    3. Replies
      16
      Views
      7.3k
      16

    4. A_Gardner

      July 12, 2021 at 12:26 PM

    2. To What Extent Is This Consistent With Epicurean Ethics: "Life is Short - Life Passionately"

      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2021 at 4:08 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2021 at 4:08 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      919

    2. As to the Term "Hedonic Calculus" or the "Calculus of Advantage" 22

      • Cassius
      • February 27, 2022 at 7:26 AM
      • Cassius
      • March 1, 2022 at 12:03 PM
    3. Replies
      22
      Views
      7.6k
      22

    4. Godfrey

      March 1, 2022 at 12:03 PM

    2. Identifying And Dealing With Significant Error / Mistakes in Ourselves (and Others)

      • Cassius
      • April 21, 2022 at 9:38 AM
      • Cassius
      • April 21, 2022 at 9:38 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      869

    2. Epicureans On Kingship 15

      • Cassius
      • August 2, 2022 at 10:16 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 10, 2022 at 5:11 AM
    3. Replies
      15
      Views
      5.4k
      15

    4. Sid

      October 10, 2022 at 5:11 AM

    2. We Need A Game Show With A Lightning Round Question: "Happiness or Pleasure? - Why?" 28

      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2023 at 8:16 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 5, 2023 at 3:43 PM
    3. Replies
      28
      Views
      8.3k
      28

    4. Little Rocker

      February 5, 2023 at 3:43 PM

    2. Imagery On The Interplay Between "Pursue Pleasure" and 'Avoid Pain" 33

      • Cassius
      • March 28, 2023 at 9:09 AM
      • Cassius
      • March 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM
    3. Replies
      33
      Views
      9.3k
      33

    4. Don

      March 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM

    2. Epicurus And Pleasure As The Awareness Of Smooth Motion 13

      • Cassius
      • February 6, 2024 at 12:24 PM
    3. Replies
      13
      Views
      3.9k
      13

    4. Cassius

      February 6, 2024 at 12:24 PM

    2. "Living Life Full Measure" as an Epicurean Metaphor 3

      • Cassius
      • May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM
    3. Replies
      3
      Views
      1.2k
      3

    4. Pacatus

      May 15, 2023 at 2:28 PM

    2. Would You Rather Live For A Week As (1) Epicurus During the Last Week of His Life or (2) An Anonymous Shepherd Laying In The Grass In The Summertime With No Pain At All? 104

      • Cassius
      • September 6, 2023 at 2:36 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 22, 2023 at 3:28 PM
    3. Replies
      104
      Views
      27k
      104

    4. Pacatus

      October 22, 2023 at 3:28 PM

    2. Practical Pleasure-Pain Perspectives: How Different is 99% Pleasure From 100% Pleasure? 13

      • Cassius
      • October 5, 2023 at 12:06 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 6, 2023 at 10:24 AM
    3. Replies
      13
      Views
      6.5k
      13

    4. Cassius

      October 6, 2023 at 10:24 AM

    2. If Death Is Nothing To Us, Then Life Is Everything to Us 29

      • Cassius
      • October 7, 2023 at 12:06 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 7, 2023 at 8:22 PM
    3. Replies
      29
      Views
      8.2k
      29

    4. Cassius

      October 7, 2023 at 8:22 PM

    2. Explaining Perspectives - Chart Of Whole Organism vs Discrete Feelings

      • Cassius
      • October 17, 2023 at 8:52 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 17, 2023 at 8:52 AM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      771

    2. Is All "Ataraxia" Equal? 30

      • Cassius
      • November 18, 2023 at 7:47 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 19, 2024 at 12:29 PM
    3. Replies
      30
      Views
      10k
      30

    4. Cassius

      February 19, 2024 at 12:29 PM

    2. Tips On Offsetting Pleasures Against Pains 24

      • Cassius
      • November 28, 2023 at 8:27 AM
      • Cassius
      • November 29, 2023 at 9:56 AM
    3. Replies
      24
      Views
      7.5k
      24

    4. Cassius

      November 29, 2023 at 9:56 AM

    2. My 2024 Resolution: Get A More Accurate Picture of Epicurean Pleasure To The World Rather Than "Tranquility" or "Live Unkown"(Comment on Irish Times Article) 15

      • Cassius
      • January 1, 2024 at 7:03 AM
      • Cassius
      • January 27, 2024 at 5:25 PM
    3. Replies
      15
      Views
      4.9k
      15

    4. Eikadistes

      January 27, 2024 at 5:25 PM

    2. If We Agree For The Sake of Argument That "The Perfect Should Not Be The Enemy of The Good," then let's ask "What *Should* We Consider To Be The Proper Relationship Between The Perfect And The Good?" 8

      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2024 at 4:43 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM
    3. Replies
      8
      Views
      3.3k
      8

    4. Don

      February 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM

    2. Given The Stress That Many Greek Philosophers' Placed On "Virtue" or a perfect view of "The Good" As The Ultimate Goal, To What Extent Would An Epicurus Have Considered That Approach An "Unnatural and Unnecessary Desire?" 4

      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2024 at 4:51 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      2.5k
      4

    4. Don

      February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM

    2. Explaining In Summary Form How A Man In Extreme Pain Can Be Said To Be "Happy" 22

      • Cassius
      • April 20, 2024 at 5:38 AM
      • Cassius
      • July 1, 2024 at 1:24 PM
    3. Replies
      22
      Views
      6.4k
      22

    4. Kalosyni

      July 1, 2024 at 1:24 PM

    2. When Epicureans Choose Pain / When Epicureans Treat Pain As Good 4

      • Cassius
      • December 22, 2024 at 8:51 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM
    3. Replies
      4
      Views
      1.2k
      4

    4. Don

      December 22, 2024 at 11:50 AM

    2. "Peace and Safety" vs. "Conflict and Danger" 7

      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
    3. Replies
      7
      Views
      1.7k
      7

    4. Cassius

      February 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM

    2. The Argument That the Good Of Animals is Not the Same As The Good of Human Beings

      • Cassius
      • March 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      460

    2. Driving Away Bad Habits "Like Evil Men Who Have Long Done Us Great Harm" (Including Addictions)

      • Cassius
      • April 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
      • Cassius
      • April 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
    3. Replies
      0
      Views
      334

Display Options

Unread Threads

    1. Title
    2. Replies
    3. Last Reply

    2. Immutability of Epicurean school in ancient times 11

      • TauPhi
      • July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
    3. Replies
      11
      Views
      431
      11

    4. Eikadistes

      July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM

    2. Recorded Statements of Metrodorus 11

      • Cassius
      • July 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
    3. Replies
      11
      Views
      405
      11

    4. Cassius

      July 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM

    2. Philodemus' "On Anger" - General - Texts and Resources 20

      • Cassius
      • July 8, 2025 at 7:33 AM
    3. Replies
      20
      Views
      7.5k
      20

    4. Kalosyni

      July 8, 2025 at 7:33 AM

    2. Mocking Epithets 3

      • Bryan
      • July 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
    3. Replies
      3
      Views
      624
      3

    4. Bryan

      July 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM

Finding Things At EpicureanFriends.com

What's the best strategy for finding things on EpicureanFriends.com? Here's a suggested search strategy:

  • First, familiarize yourself with the list of forums. The best way to find threads related to a particular topic is to look in the relevant forum. Over the years most people have tried to start threads according to forum topic, and we regularly move threads from our "general discussion" area over to forums with more descriptive titles.
  • Use the "Search" facility at 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." Also check the "Search Assistance" page.
  • Use the "Tag" facility, starting with the "Key Tags By Topic" in the right hand navigation pane, or using the "Search By Tag" page, or the "Tag Overview" page which contains a list of all tags alphabetically. We curate the available tags to keep them to a manageable number that is descriptive of frequently-searched topics.