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.

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  1. Ancient Epicurean Texts (300 BC to 300 AD)
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  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
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    2. A Five Star Presentation of Epicurus

      • Cassius
      • October 28, 2018 at 5:55 PM
      • Cassius
      • October 28, 2018 at 5:55 PM
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      1.7k

    2. On the associations between Virtue and Pleasure and my Epicurean Write up 1

      • Eoghan Gardiner
      • March 27, 2018 at 7:56 AM
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    4. Cassius

      March 27, 2018 at 7:56 AM

    2. Major Observations and Conclusions of Epicurean Philosophy - An Outline

      • Cassius
      • September 14, 2015 at 9:13 PM
      • Cassius
      • September 14, 2015 at 9:13 PM
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      1.8k

    2. An Exchange On The Issue of How Much Pain To Accept 1

      • Cassius
      • January 10, 2018 at 7:11 PM
      • Cassius
      • January 10, 2018 at 9:13 PM
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    4. Cassius

      January 10, 2018 at 9:13 PM

    2. A Discussion Of Eudaemonia - Extracted from the Facebook Group

      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2016 at 6:16 PM
      • Cassius
      • February 26, 2016 at 6:16 PM
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      1.8k

    2. Questions re Pleasure 2

      • Matteng
      • November 9, 2024 at 5:35 AM
      • Matteng
      • November 9, 2024 at 3:50 PM
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    4. Matteng

      November 9, 2024 at 3:50 PM

    2. What amount of effort should be put into pursuing pleasure or removing pain? 23

      • Kalosyni
      • July 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
    3. Replies
      23
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      1.8k
      23

    4. Patrikios

      July 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM

    2. Episode 208: Epicurus on Seeking Pleasure (Part Two) 1

      • Hiram
      • February 4, 2019 at 3:12 PM
      • Hiram
      • February 5, 2019 at 7:04 AM
    3. Replies
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    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 7:04 AM

    2. “How Epicurean Science Saves Humanity” 3

      • Pacatus
      • September 8, 2022 at 6:13 PM
      • Pacatus
      • September 8, 2022 at 6:54 PM
    3. Replies
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    4. Cassius

      September 8, 2022 at 6:54 PM

    2. Sedley paper on Plato with interesting Epicurean implications 2

      • Don
      • April 30, 2022 at 7:32 AM
      • Don
      • April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM
    3. Replies
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      1.9k
      2

    4. Don

      April 30, 2022 at 9:35 AM

    2. A Fable on Unattainable Expectations 6

      • Pacatus
      • October 16, 2024 at 5:12 PM
      • Pacatus
      • November 22, 2024 at 11:32 AM
    3. Replies
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      1.9k
      6

    4. Don

      November 22, 2024 at 11:32 AM

    2. Doubt is Unpleasant, But It's Not Your Worst Enemy

      • Cassius
      • December 20, 2015 at 11:56 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 20, 2015 at 11:56 AM
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    2. Epicurus On Money, And A Connection With Limits Referenced By A Modern Philosopher 2

      • Cassius
      • June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM
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      2k
      2

    4. Cassius

      June 11, 2021 at 9:42 AM

    2. Social feelings/actions to not-friends(or strangers, animals) (Philantropy /compassion /sympathy / kindness / charity /) 4

      • Matteng
      • May 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM
    3. Replies
      4
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      2k
      4

    4. Joshua

      May 17, 2023 at 11:00 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
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      2.1k
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    4. Cassius

      February 5, 2019 at 5:18 PM

    2. Major Controversies In Understanding Epicurean Philosophy

      • Cassius
      • December 11, 2018 at 2:25 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 11, 2018 at 2:25 AM
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    2. The Normal Curve of Pleasure 5

      • kochiekoch
      • July 23, 2024 at 5:59 PM
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    4. kochiekoch

      July 23, 2024 at 5:59 PM

    2. Is it true that "ataraxia is not physical pleasure, or even mental pleasure, but a state of inner calm?"

      • Cassius
      • March 11, 2017 at 3:25 PM
      • Cassius
      • March 11, 2017 at 3:25 PM
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    2. Ruminations on leading with “Pleasure and Pain as the Guide” v “The Goal is Pleasure” 4

      • Godfrey
      • June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM
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    4. Cassius

      June 9, 2023 at 7:07 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
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      2.5k
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    4. Don

      February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM

    2. How To Turn Epicurean Philosophy On Its Head As Quickly As Possible - A Quick Comment on Mark 12 3

      • Cassius
      • December 21, 2018 at 8:58 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 21, 2018 at 3:22 PM
    3. Replies
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    4. Matt

      December 21, 2018 at 3:22 PM

    2. Health of the Body and Happiness of the Soul -vs- "The Goal is Pleasure" 4

      • Kalosyni
      • September 9, 2024 at 6:56 AM
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    4. Cassius

      September 9, 2024 at 6:56 AM

    2. A Pleasant Life instead of Pleasure 7

      • EricR
      • August 4, 2023 at 8:14 AM
      • EricR
      • August 5, 2023 at 8:27 PM
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    4. Kalosyni

      August 5, 2023 at 8:27 PM

    2. "Philosophize This" - A Statement of the Position That Ataraxia is "True Pleasure" and that Epicureans Should Have No Ambitions Other than to Remove the Desire For Ambition - Your Focus is the Complete Removal of Pain - Agree or Disagree?

      • Cassius
      • February 14, 2018 at 8:49 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 14, 2018 at 8:49 AM
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    2. A Man’s Neighbor And His Dog (PDs' 32 & 39 &40)

      • Elli
      • November 5, 2018 at 10:36 AM
      • Elli
      • November 5, 2018 at 10:36 AM
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    2. A General Thought About The Future Of Epicurean Philosophy - On The Meaning of "Pleasure" 2

      • Cassius
      • April 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM
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      3.1k
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    4. Hiram

      April 13, 2018 at 12:54 PM

    2. Criticisms of An Article Entitled "Epicurean Pleasure" (October 1, 2018) 4

      • Cassius
      • October 2, 2018 at 9:28 AM
      • Cassius
      • October 9, 2018 at 8:40 AM
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    4. Cassius

      October 9, 2018 at 8:40 AM

    2. Graphic - Cassius To Cicero - A Question of Word Choice 2

      • Cassius
      • February 11, 2018 at 8:53 AM
      • Cassius
      • February 11, 2018 at 9:50 AM
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    4. Cassius

      February 11, 2018 at 9:50 AM

    2. Why was Epicurus condemned to the sixth circle of hell in Dante's Divine Comedy? 3

      • Hiram
      • January 7, 2019 at 10:55 AM
      • Hiram
      • January 7, 2019 at 11:51 AM
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      3.2k
      3

    4. Matt

      January 7, 2019 at 11:51 AM

    2. Why Do We Focus On "Pleasure" as the Goal and the Good, Rather than "Happiness?" 3

      • Cassius
      • December 18, 2018 at 8:50 AM
      • Cassius
      • December 18, 2018 at 12:47 PM
    3. Replies
      3
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      3.3k
      3

    4. Cassius

      December 18, 2018 at 12:47 PM

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    2. Immutability of Epicurean school in ancient times 11

      • TauPhi
      • July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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    4. Eikadistes

      July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM

    2. Recorded Statements of Metrodorus 11

      • Cassius
      • July 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
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    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
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    4. Kalosyni

      July 8, 2025 at 7:33 AM

    2. Mocking Epithets 3

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

    4. Bryan

      July 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM

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