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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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
  
  8.9k
  
  15
4. Sid
  October 10, 2022 at 5:11 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
  - 3
  - Cassius
  - January 1, 2024 at 7:03 AM
  - Cassius
  - January 27, 2024 at 5:25 PM
3. Replies
  
  15
  
  Views
  
  8.5k
  
  15
4. Eikadistes
  January 27, 2024 at 5:25 PM
2. Epicureanism Vs Asceticism 8
  - Hiram
  - March 12, 2019 at 9:44 AM
  - Hiram
  - March 14, 2019 at 1:37 PM
3. Replies
  
  8
  
  Views
  
  8.5k
  
  8
4. Cassius
  March 14, 2019 at 1:37 PM
2. Fundamental Issues In Hedonism 15
  - 1
  - BrainToBeing
  - December 10, 2023 at 8:18 AM
  - BrainToBeing
  - December 14, 2023 at 9:52 AM
3. Replies
  
  15
  
  Views
  
  8.2k
  
  15
4. Kalosyni
  December 14, 2023 at 9:52 AM
2. After Religion and Death, The Third Greatest Threat To Happiness As The Highest Goal of Life 5
  - Cassius
  - December 27, 2018 at 4:33 PM
  - Cassius
  - December 28, 2018 at 10:42 AM
3. Replies
  
  5
  
  Views
  
  8k
  
  5
4. Cassius
  December 28, 2018 at 10:42 AM
2. Epicurus And Pleasure As The Awareness Of Smooth Motion 14
  - Cassius
  - May 10, 2023 at 9:18 AM
  - Cassius
  - December 31, 2025 at 7:04 AM
3. Replies
  
  14
  
  Views
  
  7.9k
  
  14
4. Cassius
  December 31, 2025 at 7:04 AM
2. What amount of effort should be put into pursuing pleasure or removing pain? 23
  - 1
  - Kalosyni
  - June 24, 2025 at 7:31 AM
  - Kalosyni
  - July 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
3. Replies
  
  23
  
  Views
  
  7.8k
  
  23
4. Patrikios
  July 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
2. How would you respond to an existentialist who says "You Epicureans have chosen pleasure as your meaning but it's not universal" do Epicureans hold that pleasure is the universal Good? 13
  - 1
  - Eoghan Gardiner
  - June 13, 2023 at 9:13 AM
  - Eoghan Gardiner
  - June 15, 2023 at 12:36 AM
3. Replies
  
  13
  
  Views
  
  7.6k
  
  13
4. Root304
  June 15, 2023 at 12:36 AM
2. Some Epicurean conclusions 7
  - Stan85
  - May 19, 2018 at 7:23 PM
  - Stan85
  - May 25, 2018 at 4:38 AM
3. Replies
  
  7
  
  Views
  
  7.5k
  
  7
4. Cassius
  May 25, 2018 at 4:38 AM
2. Epicurean virtues listed by importance 8
  - godek
  - January 28, 2019 at 8:45 PM
  - godek
  - February 1, 2019 at 7:47 AM
3. Replies
  
  8
  
  Views
  
  7.4k
  
  8
4. Cassius
  February 1, 2019 at 7:47 AM
2. Why was Epicurus condemned to the sixth circle of hell in Dante's Divine Comedy? 4
  - 1
  - Hiram
  - January 7, 2019 at 10:55 AM
  - Hiram
  - August 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
3. Replies
  
  4
  
  Views
  
  7.2k
  
  4
4. Eikadistes
  August 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
2. New Book by Erler (Würzburg Center): "Epicurus: An Introduction to His Practical Ethics and Politics" 3
  - 1
  - Titus
  - June 24, 2021 at 3:39 PM
  - Titus
  - November 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM
3. Replies
  
  3
  
  Views
  
  7k
  
  3
4. Patrikios
  November 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM
2. Pleasure vs pain - example and thoughts! 10
  - 2
  - ThinkingCat
  - May 20, 2023 at 4:02 AM
  - ThinkingCat
  - May 21, 2023 at 9:08 PM
3. Replies
  
  10
  
  Views
  
  7k
  
  10
4. Don
  May 21, 2023 at 9:08 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
  - 3
  - Cassius
  - February 26, 2024 at 4:43 PM
  - Cassius
  - February 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM
3. Replies
  
  8
  
  Views
  
  5.9k
  
  8
4. Don
  February 29, 2024 at 12:22 AM
2. Hiram Crespo on The Pursuit of Happiness, Epicurean Philosophy, and Changing Your Mindset 6
  - 1
  - Hiram
  - December 14, 2018 at 2:23 PM
  - Hiram
  - December 17, 2018 at 12:22 PM
3. Replies
  
  6
  
  Views
  
  5.8k
  
  6
4. Hiram
  December 17, 2018 at 12:22 PM
2. Things that happen after we die 7
  - SimonC
  - February 4, 2022 at 6:29 AM
  - SimonC
  - February 4, 2022 at 9:54 AM
3. Replies
  
  7
  
  Views
  
  5.8k
  
  7
4. Don
  February 4, 2022 at 9:54 AM
2. Regarding categories | Will to Power: a natural or un-natural desire? 7
  - 1
  - shahabgh66
  - August 7, 2021 at 6:02 AM
  - shahabgh66
  - August 7, 2021 at 10:04 AM
3. Replies
  
  7
  
  Views
  
  5.7k
  
  7
4. Cassius
  August 7, 2021 at 10:04 AM
2. "Objective Morality" 3
  - Hiram
  - December 26, 2018 at 11:51 AM
  - Hiram
  - December 26, 2018 at 5:52 PM
3. Replies
  
  3
  
  Views
  
  5.7k
  
  3
4. Cassius
  December 26, 2018 at 5:52 PM
2. The Meaning of Eudaemonia - "Good Demon" 1
  - 1
  - Cassius
  - January 22, 2018 at 9:56 AM
  - Cassius
  - January 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM
3. Replies
  
  1
  
  Views
  
  5.6k
  
  1
4. Hiram
  January 22, 2018 at 10:50 AM
2. Nietzsche Channeling Epicurus "Never Losing One's Own Way," and How To Proceed With Philosophical Therapy 3
  - Cassius
  - December 23, 2018 at 10:13 AM
  - Cassius
  - February 1, 2019 at 10:27 AM
3. Replies
  
  3
  
  Views
  
  5.6k
  
  3
4. Cassius
  February 1, 2019 at 10:27 AM
2. Health of the Body and Happiness of the Soul -vs- "The Goal is Pleasure" 4
  - 2
  - Kalosyni
  - June 4, 2024 at 1:34 PM
  - Kalosyni
  - September 9, 2024 at 6:56 AM
3. Replies
  
  4
  
  Views
  
  5.2k
  
  4
4. Cassius
  September 9, 2024 at 6:56 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
  
  Views
  
  4.9k
  
  3
4. Cassius
  December 18, 2018 at 12:47 PM
2. Neither "ataraxia" nor "not ataraxia", but "Joy as the goal" 24
  - 1
  - Kalosyni
  - February 25, 2026 at 10:08 AM
  - Kalosyni
  - May 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
3. Replies
  
  24
  
  Views
  
  4.7k
  
  24
4. Don
  May 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
2. A Debate About Hedonism
  - Cassius
  - January 13, 2018 at 3:35 PM
  - Cassius
  - January 13, 2018 at 3:35 PM
3. Replies
  
  0
  
  Views
  
  4.7k
2. Ruminations on leading with “Pleasure and Pain as the Guide” v “The Goal is Pleasure” 4
  - 2
  - Godfrey
  - June 7, 2023 at 9:10 PM
  - Godfrey
  - June 9, 2023 at 7:07 AM
3. Replies
  
  4
  
  Views
  
  4.6k
  
  4
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
  - 1
  - Cassius
  - February 26, 2024 at 4:51 PM
  - Cassius
  - February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM
3. Replies
  
  4
  
  Views
  
  4.5k
  
  4
4. Don
  February 26, 2024 at 10:48 PM
2. 'Their God Is The Belly" / "The Root of All Good Is The Pleasure Of The Stomach" And Similar Attributions 14
  - 1
  - Cassius
  - November 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
  - Cassius
  - June 12, 2026 at 12:58 PM
3. Replies
  
  14
  
  Views
  
  4.5k
  
  14
4. Pacatus
  June 12, 2026 at 12:58 PM
2. "Peace and Safety" vs. "Conflict and Danger" 7
  - 1
  - Cassius
  - February 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
  - Cassius
  - February 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
3. Replies
  
  7
  
  Views
  
  4.4k
  
  7
4. Cassius
  February 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
2. A Pleasant Life instead of Pleasure 7
  - 1
  - EricR
  - August 4, 2023 at 8:14 AM
  - EricR
  - August 5, 2023 at 8:27 PM
3. Replies
  
  7
  
  Views
  
  4.4k
  
  7
4. Kalosyni
  August 5, 2023 at 8:27 PM
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
3. Replies
  
  2
  
  Views
  
  4.3k
  
  2
4. Cassius
  February 11, 2018 at 9:50 AM

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Epicureans On Kingship 15

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

Epicureanism Vs Asceticism 8

Fundamental Issues In Hedonism 15

After Religion and Death, The Third Greatest Threat To Happiness As The Highest Goal of Life 5

Epicurus And Pleasure As The Awareness Of Smooth Motion 14

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

How would you respond to an existentialist who says "You Epicureans have chosen pleasure as your meaning but it's not universal" do Epicureans hold that pleasure is the universal Good? 13

Some Epicurean conclusions 7

Epicurean virtues listed by importance 8

Why was Epicurus condemned to the sixth circle of hell in Dante's Divine Comedy? 4

New Book by Erler (Würzburg Center): "Epicurus: An Introduction to His Practical Ethics and Politics" 3

Pleasure vs pain - example and thoughts! 10

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

Hiram Crespo on The Pursuit of Happiness, Epicurean Philosophy, and Changing Your Mindset 6

Things that happen after we die 7

Regarding categories | Will to Power: a natural or un-natural desire? 7

"Objective Morality" 3

The Meaning of Eudaemonia - "Good Demon" 1

Nietzsche Channeling Epicurus "Never Losing One's Own Way," and How To Proceed With Philosophical Therapy 3

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

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

Neither "ataraxia" nor "not ataraxia", but "Joy as the goal" 24

Ruminations on leading with “Pleasure and Pain as the Guide” v “The Goal is Pleasure” 4

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

'Their God Is The Belly" / "The Root of All Good Is The Pleasure Of The Stomach" And Similar Attributions 14

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

A Pleasant Life instead of Pleasure 7

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

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Finding Things At EpicureanFriends.com

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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