I made this chart to illustrate an estimation of the breakdown of the extant texts into the catagories of Ethics, Canonics, and Natural Science. Are these percentages correct? Or would there be a better estimation of the breakdown?

Estimation of Category Breakdown of Extant Texts
Regularly Checking In On A Small Screen Device? Bookmark THIS page!
Sunday Weekly Zoom. This and every upcoming Sunday at 12:30 PM EDT we will continue our new series of Zoom meetings targeted for a time when more of our participants worldwide can attend. This week's discussion topic: "Epicurean Prolepsis". To find out how to attend CLICK HERE. To read more on the discussion topic CLICK HERE.
-
-
Speaking from the viewpoint of a Novice, it certainly feels true. I wasn't expecting quite so much Physics/Natural Science. But, like The Dude, Remus abides.
-
Kalosyni
June 23, 2024 at 12:39 PM Removed the label Unanswered Question -
Then the next question is how much time to invest in each category? But this will be different for each person, depending on how important they feel it is to know details, as well as if they enjoy the study of science.
For myself, I'm thinking something like this, regarding how much time to invest:
Natural Science - 20% (My reasoning is that every modern person went to school (and many of us went to college) and so we are already familiar with important aspects of science and physics. It actually might make sense to spend some time reviewing the modern understanding of the physics of atoms, etc, if we want accurate details on which to base our materialist view).
Canonics - 20% (I am still currently in the process of trying to understand Epicurean canonics, and this section would also include how to make inferences.)
Ethics - 60% (Vain is the word of the philosopher which does not heal any suffering of man. (...and does not lead to a good life). This is where the importance is at, for me.)
And, this is all relevant to creating teaching materials, because each person could put more or less importance on each category...thereby creating a very different outline for study.
-
Yes every person probably needs a different percentage, depending on their background. As a general expectation, however, I doubt that much progress in the understanding of the ethics can occur without dealing with the canonics. And since the issue of "gods" is generally treated under physics/canonics, that another reason not to underestimate their importance.
Unread Threads
-
- Title
- Replies
- Last Reply
-
-
-
New Blog Post From Elli - " Fanaticism and the Danger of Dogmatism in Political and Religious Thought: An Epicurean Reading"
- Cassius
June 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM - General Discussion
- Cassius
June 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
-
- Replies
- 0
- Views
- 262
-
-
-
-
Does The Wise Man Groan and Cry Out When On The Rack / Under Torture / In Extreme Pain? 19
- Cassius
October 28, 2019 at 9:06 AM - General Discussion
- Cassius
June 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
-
- Replies
- 19
- Views
- 1.5k
19
-
-
-
-
Best Lucretius translation? 9
- Rolf
June 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM - General Discussion
- Rolf
June 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
-
- Replies
- 9
- Views
- 276
9
-
-
-
-
New Translation of Epicurus' Works 1
- Eikadistes
June 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM - General Discussion
- Eikadistes
June 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
-
- Replies
- 1
- Views
- 292
1
-
-
-
-
Superstition and Friday the 13th 6
- Kalosyni
June 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM - General Discussion
- Kalosyni
June 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
-
- Replies
- 6
- Views
- 409
6
-