1. Home
    1. Start Here: Study Guide
    2. Community Standards And Posting Policies
    3. Terms of Use
    4. Moderator Team
    5. Site Map
    6. Quizzes
    7. Articles
      1. Featured Articles
    8. All Blog Posts
      1. Elli's Blog / Articles
  2. Wiki
    1. Wiki Home
    2. FAQ
    3. Classical Epicureanism
    4. Physics Wiki
    5. Canonics Wiki
    6. Ethics Wiki
    7. Search Assistance
    8. Not NeoEpicurean
    9. Foundations
    10. Navigation Outlines
    11. Key Pages
  3. Forum
    1. Full Forum List
    2. Welcome Threads
    3. Physics
    4. Canonics
    5. Ethics
    6. Uncategorized Forum
    7. Study Resources Forum
    8. Ancient Texts Forum
    9. Shortcuts
    10. Featured
    11. Most Discussed
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
    4. Search By Tag
    5. Complete Tag List
  5. Podcast
    1. Lucretius Today Podcast
    2. Episode Guide
    3. Lucretius Today At Youtube
    4. EpicureanFriends Youtube Page
  6. Texts
    1. Overview
    2. Diogenes Laertius
    3. Principal Doctrines
    4. Vatican Sayings
    5. Lucretius
    6. Herodotus
    7. Pythocles
    8. Menoeceus
    9. Fragments - Usener Collection
    10. Torquatus On Ethics
    11. Velleius On Gods
    12. Greek/Latin Help
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured images
    2. Albums
    3. Latest Images
    4. Latest Comments
  8. Calendar
    1. Upcoming Events List
    2. Zoom Meetings
    3. This Month
    4. Sunday Zoom Meetings
    5. First Monday Zoom Meetings
    6. Wednesday Zoom Meeting
    7. Twentieth Zoom Meetings
    8. Zoom Meetings
  9. Other
    1. Featured Content
    2. Blog Posts
    3. Files
    4. Logbook
    5. EF ToDo List
    6. Link-Database
  • Login
  • Register
  • Search
This Thread
  • Everywhere
  • This Thread
  • This Forum
  • Forum
  • Articles
  • Blog Articles
  • Files
  • Gallery
  • Events
  • Pages
  • Wiki
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • More Options

Welcome To EpicureanFriends.com!

"Remember that you are mortal, and you have a limited time to live, and in devoting yourself to discussion of the nature of time and eternity you have seen things that have been, are now, and are to come."

Sign In Now
or
Register a new account
  1. Home
    1. Start Here: Study Guide
    2. Community Standards And Posting Policies
    3. Terms of Use
    4. Moderator Team
    5. Site Map
    6. Quizzes
    7. Articles
      1. Featured Articles
    8. All Blog Posts
      1. Elli's Blog / Articles
  2. Wiki
    1. Wiki Home
    2. FAQ
    3. Classical Epicureanism
    4. Physics Wiki
    5. Canonics Wiki
    6. Ethics Wiki
    7. Search Assistance
    8. Not NeoEpicurean
    9. Foundations
    10. Navigation Outlines
    11. Key Pages
  3. Forum
    1. Full Forum List
    2. Welcome Threads
    3. Physics
    4. Canonics
    5. Ethics
    6. Uncategorized Forum
    7. Study Resources Forum
    8. Ancient Texts Forum
    9. Shortcuts
    10. Featured
    11. Most Discussed
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
    4. Search By Tag
    5. Complete Tag List
  5. Podcast
    1. Lucretius Today Podcast
    2. Episode Guide
    3. Lucretius Today At Youtube
    4. EpicureanFriends Youtube Page
  6. Texts
    1. Overview
    2. Diogenes Laertius
    3. Principal Doctrines
    4. Vatican Sayings
    5. Lucretius
    6. Herodotus
    7. Pythocles
    8. Menoeceus
    9. Fragments - Usener Collection
    10. Torquatus On Ethics
    11. Velleius On Gods
    12. Greek/Latin Help
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured images
    2. Albums
    3. Latest Images
    4. Latest Comments
  8. Calendar
    1. Upcoming Events List
    2. Zoom Meetings
    3. This Month
    4. Sunday Zoom Meetings
    5. First Monday Zoom Meetings
    6. Wednesday Zoom Meeting
    7. Twentieth Zoom Meetings
    8. Zoom Meetings
  9. Other
    1. Featured Content
    2. Blog Posts
    3. Files
    4. Logbook
    5. EF ToDo List
    6. Link-Database
  1. Home
    1. Start Here: Study Guide
    2. Community Standards And Posting Policies
    3. Terms of Use
    4. Moderator Team
    5. Site Map
    6. Quizzes
    7. Articles
      1. Featured Articles
    8. All Blog Posts
      1. Elli's Blog / Articles
  2. Wiki
    1. Wiki Home
    2. FAQ
    3. Classical Epicureanism
    4. Physics Wiki
    5. Canonics Wiki
    6. Ethics Wiki
    7. Search Assistance
    8. Not NeoEpicurean
    9. Foundations
    10. Navigation Outlines
    11. Key Pages
  3. Forum
    1. Full Forum List
    2. Welcome Threads
    3. Physics
    4. Canonics
    5. Ethics
    6. Uncategorized Forum
    7. Study Resources Forum
    8. Ancient Texts Forum
    9. Shortcuts
    10. Featured
    11. Most Discussed
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
    4. Search By Tag
    5. Complete Tag List
  5. Podcast
    1. Lucretius Today Podcast
    2. Episode Guide
    3. Lucretius Today At Youtube
    4. EpicureanFriends Youtube Page
  6. Texts
    1. Overview
    2. Diogenes Laertius
    3. Principal Doctrines
    4. Vatican Sayings
    5. Lucretius
    6. Herodotus
    7. Pythocles
    8. Menoeceus
    9. Fragments - Usener Collection
    10. Torquatus On Ethics
    11. Velleius On Gods
    12. Greek/Latin Help
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured images
    2. Albums
    3. Latest Images
    4. Latest Comments
  8. Calendar
    1. Upcoming Events List
    2. Zoom Meetings
    3. This Month
    4. Sunday Zoom Meetings
    5. First Monday Zoom Meetings
    6. Wednesday Zoom Meeting
    7. Twentieth Zoom Meetings
    8. Zoom Meetings
  9. Other
    1. Featured Content
    2. Blog Posts
    3. Files
    4. Logbook
    5. EF ToDo List
    6. Link-Database
  1. EpicureanFriends - Home of Classical Epicurean Philosophy
  2. Forum
  3. Ethics - How To Live
  4. Epicurean Life Strategies for Modern Times
  • Sidebar
  • Sidebar

Musings on A Quick Statement of "What It Means to Be An Epicurean"

  • Cassius
  • July 13, 2020 at 10:57 PM
  • Go to last post

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!
  • Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    104,809
    Posts
    14,347
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • July 13, 2020 at 10:57 PM
    • #1

    My mind is distracted tonight and going in too many directions,, and in times like this it seems I always turns back to the fundamental issue of "what it means to be an Epicurean."

    I do not expect to make any changes at the moment, but I am toying with the idea of deleting the quote from Lucian of Samosata (about "striking a blow for Epicurus") currently at the top of the home page. New people probably don't recognize that quote, and i am thinking it might be beneficial if we replaced it with something very pithy about what a new person can expect when they start posting in the forum.

    I am thinking of something like this:

    "There is no authoritative definition of "what it means to be an Epicurean," but for purposes of this forum you can expect to be welcomed as a valued participant if you hold that: (1) the universe was not created and is not controlled supernaturally [PD1], (2) there is no life after death [PD2], (3) the feelings of pleasure and pain are the ultimate guides to life [PD 3-4], (4) the virtues, including justice, are not absolute but contextual, and are valuable because they are instrumental in the attainment of pleasure and the avoidance of pain [PD 5-10, 30-40], (4) practical reason cannot be based on abstractions alone, but must based on sensation, feeling, and anticipation [PD 11-30], and [5] you feel a personal affinity for the philosophical tradition established by Epicurus of Samos."

    I am probably going to forget about this and not make any changes for the time being, but I thought it would be interesting to see what you guys think about what key points needs to be in, and what need to be out of, such a statement. Keep in mind that the purpose would be something short enough to put at the top of the front page, which means you'll have to scroll through it every time you go there. On the other hand, even though short, it needs to hit the very highest points so as to be challenging and specific enough to be worthwhile. And most of all, the context is "for purposes of this forum."

    Of course i could also add a link to this detailed discussion so people can see all the issues that went into preparing the final version of it.

    Any thoughts? I take no pride in authorship and my normal course anyway is to edit so many times that the original version is often unrecognizable when finished, so any and all thoughts are welcome.

  • Online
    Godfrey
    Epicurist
    Points
    12,264
    Posts
    1,717
    Quizzes
    3
    Quiz rate
    85.0 %
    Bookmarks
    1
    • July 14, 2020 at 1:38 AM
    • #2

    Maybe "prudent living in an atomic universe" or "understanding pleasure in an atomic universe" or something along those lines....

  • Don
    ΕΠΙΚΟΥΡΕΙΟΣ (Epicurist)
    Points
    40,596
    Posts
    5,645
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    92.8 %
    • July 14, 2020 at 5:58 AM
    • #3

    I think Godfrey is on to something but "atomic universe" sounds a little scary and radioactive :) Maybe in a material universe or a universe composed of only atoms and space.

  • Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    104,809
    Posts
    14,347
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • July 14, 2020 at 6:25 AM
    • #4

    Yes the general direction of some reference to materialism probably makes sense...

  • SamJ
    02 - Level Two
    Points
    187
    Posts
    22
    Quizzes
    2
    Quiz rate
    66.7 %
    • July 14, 2020 at 6:47 PM
    • #5

    Possibly.... "If you wish to make Pythocles rich, do not increase his means, but diminish his desire".

  • Joshua
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    15,073
    Posts
    1,911
    Quizzes
    3
    Quiz rate
    95.8 %
    • July 15, 2020 at 2:21 PM
    • #6

    It might be worth considering here the very words that were reportedly chosen to hang over the entrance to the Garden itself. Not to select them, necessarily; not if they don't suit your and our purpose. But to examine their implications, and imagine the string of choices that led to their selection. As recorded by Seneca the Younger:

    Quote

    HOSPES HIC BENE MANEBIS, HIC SUMMUM BONUM VOLUPTAS EST

    Or in English;

    Quote

    Stranger, here you will do well to tarry; here our highest good is pleasure.

  • Joshua
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    15,073
    Posts
    1,911
    Quizzes
    3
    Quiz rate
    95.8 %
    • July 15, 2020 at 2:29 PM
    • #7

    We had a thread awhile back that comes to mind. You asked us:

    How Would You Answer Someone New Who Asked You: "What Is Epicurean Philosophy All About?"

    My answer from that thread was this—

    Happiness;

    In just one natural life--

    In one uncreated, everlasting

    And endless cosmos--

    Through pleasure, friendship,

    And fearless inquiry

    Into the nature of things.

  • kenrob2037
    01 - Level One
    Points
    22
    Posts
    3
    • July 16, 2020 at 3:00 AM
    • #8

    For me, to be an Epicurean mean sharing. Sharing knowledge is the most important thing anyone can do in my opinion. I think about all the amazing people that have died and left their knowledge sheltering inside their graves, that's not on in my opinion.

    When Hemingway killed himself, he could have been passing his knowledge on instead. The same goes for Keith Emerson of ELP. He of all people had so much passion and understanding of music and he killed himself and let all his knowledge die with him.

    No matter what happens in a person's life, there is always something you know that others don't and want to know. Don't die without passing on your knowledge.

  • Eoghan Gardiner
    Lughnasadh
    Points
    857
    Posts
    99
    • July 16, 2020 at 3:26 PM
    • #9

    For me what it means to be an Epicurean is to live under the idea that our senses are actually useful. To live in a way that allows the fullness of all our faculties. That puts reason in its rightful place and to be grounded in the world and not in abstractions.

    To be an Epicurean is to live pleasurably, unashamedly and to be free from the guilt of Catholicism. To view our bodies as who and what we are, Not something which we merely use as a “vessel” for our true selves or a corrupt wretched thing.

    To be free from foolish ideas that bring only pain, to free reason from the bonds of superstition and to be at ease with what we are and our position in this universe.

  • Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    104,809
    Posts
    14,347
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • July 16, 2020 at 4:34 PM
    • #10

    Great post Eoghan. I particularly liked

    Quote from Eoghan Gardiner

    and to be free from the guilt of Catholicism.

    It probably depends a lot on personal circumtances, and maybe this isn't as a much of a problem today as it used to be in the past, but freeing us from the guilt/domination of religion is clearly one of the most important aspects.

  • Kalosyni December 16, 2024 at 7:22 PM

    Moved the thread from forum General Discussion to forum Am I An Epicurean?.
  • Kalosyni July 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM

    Moved the thread from forum Am I An Epicurean? to forum Epicurean Life Strategies.

Unread Threads

    1. Title
    2. Replies
    3. Last Reply
    1. Immutability of Epicurean school in ancient times 11

      • Thanks 1
      • TauPhi
      • July 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
      • Uncategorized Discussion (General)
      • TauPhi
      • July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
    2. Replies
      11
      Views
      702
      11
    3. Eikadistes

      July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
    1. Recorded Statements of Metrodorus 11

      • Like 1
      • Cassius
      • July 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
      • Hermarchus
      • Cassius
      • July 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
    2. Replies
      11
      Views
      591
      11
    3. Cassius

      July 28, 2025 at 7:23 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.

Frequently Used Forums

  • Frequently Asked / Introductory Questions
  • News And Announcements
  • Lucretius Today Podcast
  • Physics (The Nature of the Universe)
  • Canonics (The Tests Of Truth)
  • Ethics (How To Live)
  • Against Determinism
  • Against Skepticism
  • The "Meaning of Life" Question
  • Uncategorized Discussion
  • Comparisons With Other Philosophies
  • Historical Figures
  • Ancient Texts
  • Decline of The Ancient Epicurean Age
  • Unsolved Questions of Epicurean History
  • Welcome New Participants
  • Events - Activism - Outreach
  • Full Forum List

Latest Posts

  • Epicurean Isonomy In The Context Of Statements By Balbus As To Gradations In Life In Book 2 of "On the Nature of the Gods"

    Cassius August 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM
  • Welcome Hubblefanboy!

    Cassius August 7, 2025 at 6:08 PM
  • Episode 294 - TD24 - Responding Further To Cicero's attack on Absence of Pain as Pleasure - Not Yet Recorded

    Cassius August 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
  • Episode 293 - TD23 - Cicero Accuses Epicurus Of Evasion In Calling "Absence of Pain" A "Pleasure"

    Don August 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
  • Welcome ZarathustrasGarden!

    Rolf August 7, 2025 at 2:51 AM
  • Artisan Skill (Likely Similar to the Ancient Greek/Roman World)

    kochiekoch August 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
  • Busts of Epicurus

    kochiekoch August 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
  • Latest Lucretius Today Podcast - Episode 293 - Cicero Accuses Epicurus Of Evasion In Calling "Absence of Pain" a Pleasure

    Cassius August 6, 2025 at 3:39 PM
  • Reproduction of Venus by Canova

    Kalosyni August 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
  • The Closing Paragraph of the Letter to Menoeceus

    Don August 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM

Key Tags By Topic

  • #Canonics
  • #Death
  • #Emotions
  • #Engagement
  • #EpicureanLiving
  • #Ethics
  • #FreeWill
  • #Friendship
  • #Gods
  • #Happiness
  • #HighestGood
  • #Images
  • #Infinity
  • #Justice
  • #Knowledge
  • #Physics
  • #Pleasure
  • #Soul
  • #Twentieth
  • #Virtue


Click Here To Search All Tags

To Suggest Additions To This List Click Here

EpicureanFriends - Classical Epicurean Philosophy

  1. Home
    1. About Us
    2. Classical Epicurean Philosophy
  2. Wiki
    1. Getting Started
  3. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. Site Map
  4. Forum
    1. Latest Threads
    2. Featured Threads
    3. Unread Posts
  5. Texts
    1. Core Texts
    2. Biography of Epicurus
    3. Lucretius
  6. Articles
    1. Latest Articles
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured Images
  8. Calendar
    1. This Month At EpicureanFriends
Powered by WoltLab Suite™ 6.0.22
Style: Inspire by cls-design
Stylename
Inspire
Manufacturer
cls-design
Licence
Commercial styles
Help
Supportforum
Visit cls-design