There are obvious and major hazards in applying guidelines that limit and direct discussion toward "the ultimate end." Most us here are probably non-conformists by nature - otherwise how would we have resisted peer pressure and ended up with Epicurus, so far outside the academic / philosophic / religious mainstream? But here is a physics clip which helps visualize why it IS necessary to be concerned about those we surround ourselves with -- as Epicurus regularly stated, to associate with friends with whom we see things similarly - which means being concerned about being in a stream of our own:
https://twitter.com/UniverCurious/…3353863169?s=20
And here is Epicurus exhorting his students to study in the same direction / with the same goal in mind:
HERODOTUS: Here, Herodotus, is my treatise on the chief points concerning the nature of the general principles, abridged so that my account would be easy to grasp with accuracy. I think that, even if one were unable to proceed to all the detailed particulars of the system, he would from this obtain an unrivaled strength compared with other men. For indeed he will clear up for himself many of the detailed points by reference to our general system, and these very principles, if he stores them in his mind, will constantly aid him. For such is their character that even those who are at present engaged in working out the details to a considerable degree, or even completely, will be able to carry out the greater part of their investigations into the nature of the whole by conducting their analysis in reference to such a survey as this. And as for all who are not fully among those on the way to being perfected, some of them can from this summary obtain a hasty view of the most important matters without oral instruction so as to secure peace of mind.
PYTHOCLES: All these things, Pythocles, you must bear in mind; for thus you will escape in most things from superstition and will be enabled to understand what is akin to them. And most of all give yourself up to the study of the beginnings and of infinity and of the things akin to them, and also of the criteria of truth and of the feelings, and of the purpose for which we reason out these things. For these points when they are thoroughly studied will most easily enable you to understand the causes of the details. But those who have not thoroughly taken these things to heart could not rightly study them in themselves, nor have they made their own the reason for observing them
MENOECEUS: Meditate therefore on these things and things akin to them night and day by yourself; and with a companion like to yourself, and never shall you be disturbed waking or asleep, but you shall live like a god among men. For a man who lives among immortal blessings is not like unto a mortal being.
