Opening of SETI / Space Exploration Forum

"We either must entice our own interpretation from the extant texts, or rely on others to do that work for us." << And relying on others to do that for us is extremely dangerous. Most modern and ancient commentators are personally hostile to Epicurean ideas. While there are some limited exceptions I know of no modern commentator I have confidence in other than DeWitt. Even there, the only reason I have confidence in DeWitt that his interpretations line up with common sense interpretation of the texts that are available, rather than with a nonsensical harping on "absence of pain" that has been used to confuse since Cicero's time.

Either pleasure is the goal or it is not, despite the commentators' efforts to make Epicurus incoherent on that score. But any normal person of common sense has the capacity to cut through the word games of the Ciceros and the Plutarchs and their modern ascetic descendants.

Combine the capacity for feeling with an understanding that there is no life after death, that no supernatural beings exist, that life is not unique on Earth, and that "reason" is a tool of feeling just like all "virtue," and it becomes obvious what Epicurus taught, and why the "establishment" has hated him ever after for teaching it.

.....that life is not unique on Earth" <<< That reminds me that I am going to make it my personal mission to be sure that we cultivate within the Epicurean community a "SETI / Space Exploration" Division! I am taking names for the list now!

i sometimes think that some people don't appreciate the implications that will follow from finding life outside of earth. Yes, religion adjusted to Darwin by making evolution the tool of the supreme being. But even after evolution we are left with the implication that we humans on Earth is "special to God" because no life is yet found to exist anywhere else.

When life is discovered elsewhere religion will adjust again, probably further in the stoic "the universe is god" direction. But once we see that we are not the only intelligent life in the universe, it will become less possible than ever for priests to convince people of normal intelligence that we are divine sparks destined for eternal life.

Of course our chosen peoples will no doubt try to convince the "Martians" that they should be accepted as the "light of the world" and hear the same "good news" that we are burdened with on Earth, but I don't think that will get very far. The "Martians" will not likely be as gullible as are most Earthlings.

I'm now getting concerned that Don won't live long enough to see the Moon and/or Mars colonized, so I better keep up my posts in this forum so that we keep track of the technology and coax it along!