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
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
  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
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
  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
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
  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. Welcome Threads, Forum Rules, Announcements
  4. Welcome to Our New Members!
  • Sidebar
  • Sidebar

Welcome AxA

  • Cassius
  • February 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
  • Go to last post
Regularly Checking In On A Small Screen Device? Bookmark THIS page!
  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
    • #1

    Welcome AxA

    There is one last step to complete your registration:

    All new registrants must post a response to this message here in this welcome thread (we do this in order to minimize spam registrations).

    You must post your response within 72 hours, or your account will be subject to deletion.

    Please say "Hello" by introducing yourself, tell us what prompted your interest in Epicureanism and which particular aspects of Epicureanism most interest you, and/or post a question.

    This forum is the place for students of Epicurus to coordinate their studies and work together to promote the philosophy of Epicurus. Please remember that all posting here is subject to our Community Standards / Rules of the Forum our Not Neo-Epicurean, But Epicurean and our Posting Policy statements and associated posts.

    Please understand that the leaders of this forum are well aware that many fans of Epicurus may have sincerely-held views of what Epicurus taught that are incompatible with the purposes and standards of this forum. This forum is dedicated exclusively to the study and support of people who are committed to classical Epicurean views. As a result, this forum is not for people who seek to mix and match some Epicurean views with positions that are inherently inconsistent with the core teachings of Epicurus.

    All of us who are here have arrived at our respect for Epicurus after long journeys through other philosophies, and we do not demand of others what we were not able to do ourselves. Epicurean philosophy is very different from other viewpoints, and it takes time to understand how deep those differences really are. That's why we have membership levels here at the forum which allow for new participants to discuss and develop their own learning, but it's also why we have standards that will lead in some cases to arguments being limited, and even participants being removed, when the purposes of the community require it. Epicurean philosophy is not inherently democratic, or committed to unlimited free speech, or devoted to any other form of organization other than the pursuit by our community of happy living through the principles of Epicurean philosophy.

    One way you can be most assured of your time here being productive is to tell us a little about yourself and your background in reading Epicurean texts. It would also be helpful if you could tell us how you found this forum, and any particular areas of interest that you have which would help us make sure that your questions and thoughts are addressed.

    Please check out our Getting Started page.

    We have found over the years that there are a number of key texts and references which most all serious students of Epicurus will want to read and evaluate for themselves. Those include the following.

    "Epicurus and His Philosophy" by Norman DeWitt

    The Biography of Epicurus by Diogenes Laertius. This includes the surviving letters of Epicurus, including those to Herodotus, Pythocles, and Menoeceus.

    "On The Nature of Things" - by Lucretius (a poetic abridgement of Epicurus' "On Nature"

    "Epicurus on Pleasure" - By Boris Nikolsky

    The chapters on Epicurus in Gosling and Taylor's "The Greeks On Pleasure."

    Cicero's "On Ends" - Torquatus Section

    Cicero's "On The Nature of the Gods" - Velleius Section

    The Inscription of Diogenes of Oinoanda - Martin Ferguson Smith translation

    A Few Days In Athens" - Frances Wright

    Lucian Core Texts on Epicurus: (1) Alexander the Oracle-Monger, (2) Hermotimus

    Philodemus "On Methods of Inference" (De Lacy version, including his appendix on relationship of Epicurean canon to Aristotle and other Greeks)

    "The Greeks on Pleasure" -Gosling & Taylor Sections on Epicurus, especially the section on katastematic and kinetic pleasure which explains why ultimately this distinction was not of great significance to Epicurus.

    It is by no means essential or required that you have read these texts before participating in the forum, but your understanding of Epicurus will be much enhanced the more of these you have read. Feel free to join in on one or more of our conversation threads under various topics found throughout the forum, where you can to ask questions or to add in any of your insights as you study the Epicurean philosophy.

    And time has also indicated to us that if you can find the time to read one book which will best explain classical Epicurean philosophy, as opposed to most modern "eclectic" interpretations of Epicurus, that book is Norman DeWitt's Epicurus And His Philosophy.

    (If you have any questions regarding the usage of the forum or finding info, please post any questions in this thread).

    Welcome to the forum!

    4258-pasted-from-clipboard-png

    4257-pasted-from-clipboard-png


  • AxA
    03 - Full Member
    Points
    369
    Posts
    40
    • February 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
    • #2

    I'm new to the study of Epicurus and have found the teachings of this school very refreshing. In particular the appreciation for friendship and simple good living, and a relief from abstract notions of virtue and "ideals".

    I'm surprised how few in-person Epicurean gatherings I can find. I'm starting an in-person meetup group in Toronto to hold Eikas gatherings. Anyone know of others in other cities?

    Epicurean Philosophy Toronto | Meetup
    Epicurus’s Garden was an ancient Greek school of philosophy whose influence has been felt through the centuries even though few are familiar with it…
    www.meetup.com
  • Don
    ΕΠΙΚΟΥΡΕΙΟΣ (Epicurist)
    Points
    40,062
    Posts
    5,577
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    92.8 %
    • February 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
    • #3

    Welcome aboard.

    Not in Toronto, unfortunately. Feel free to use the resources on the forum here for discussions etc at your Meetup. Keep us posted how it goes!

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 9, 2025 at 4:59 PM
    • #4

    Good to see you take the initiative AxA.

    There are a lot of subtleties in Epicurean philosophy but there's no reason that the right group can get together and learn them together.

    Let us know if we can be of help.

  • Don
    ΕΠΙΚΟΥΡΕΙΟΣ (Epicurist)
    Points
    40,062
    Posts
    5,577
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    92.8 %
    • February 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
    • #5

    AxA : You might want to join one of the live get togethers that Kalosyni and Cassius make available, too.

  • Martin
    04 - Moderator
    Points
    4,116
    Posts
    581
    Quizzes
    7
    Quiz rate
    85.9 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 4:42 AM
    • #6

    Welcome Alex!

  • AxA
    03 - Full Member
    Points
    369
    Posts
    40
    • February 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
    • #7

    Thank you all for the warm welcome!

    Don, you mention live events. Do you mean the online events in the Upcoming Events list?

    I look forward to attending the next First Monday gathering.

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
    • #8
    Quote from AxA

    I look forward to attending the next First Monday gathering.

    AxA -- We will look forward to having you for that. We originally set that up just for that purpose - to have a special time to welcome in totally new people.

    What I think you'll find in your own work in setting up a meetup is that there are lots of compromises that have to be made. In order to have free flow of conversation, you really want to have people who have some experience with each other so that there can be a supportive and trustful environment.

    For better or worse, the world isn't always conducive to allowing "everyone" into every discussion, because there are trolls and worse who make a point of being disruptive.

    What we've done here is to try to develop a screening process in which we look for people to participate for a period of time on the forum, using discussion in the forum for a period of time as a sort of "get-to-know-you" process. We've found it very helpful to have real "zoom meetings" where people come on camera and get to know each other over time as "friends," but it takes time to develop that kind of trust and confidence. So what we do is let everyone on our zooms know that they can expect to see people they know, and not random strangers, in our normal regular meetings.

    The "First Monday" gives us a monthly date on which new people can ask to participate and our regulars can decide whether or not they'd like to appear themselves.

    We're looking to start doing "live streams" in the future, where we allow anyone and everyone to comment in the chat that goes along with the stream, but we're not quite at the point where we can get that done regularly.

    There's a *lot* to think about in arranging meetings of any kind. It's actually an interesting discussion in itself. Feel free to ask questions about the way we do it, or just keep us posted on what you end up doing yourself, and we'll all learn from each other and pursue what works best for each of us.

    In the meantime, we'll look forward to seeing you at the first of March, and please continue to post and let us know your thoughts about things here on the forum.

  • Kalosyni
    Student of the Kepos
    Points
    17,510
    Posts
    2,133
    Quizzes
    2
    Quiz rate
    90.9 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
    • #9

    AxA Welcome to the forum!

    That's great that you are starting a meet-up in Toronto.

    And looking forward to meeting you at the next First Monday Zoom. I'll be posting the discussion topic about a week before. I will go ahead and add you to the group conversation - the meeting link will be sent out the day before the meeting.

    :)

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
    • #10
    Quote from AxA

    I'm new to the study of Epicurus and have found the teachings of this school very refreshing

    AxA when you get a chance let us know about your own background in philosophy and that might help us make recommendations to you.

  • AxA
    03 - Full Member
    Points
    369
    Posts
    40
    • February 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
    • #11

    I think I'll learn a lot from this first attempt at a live meetup. I'll have to manage the conversation, make sure it's not just generic chat, and prevent anyone (including myself) from talking too much.

    Have any of you held in-person gatherings in the past?

    I don't have any particular background in philosophy other than a broad general education. I would say my interest is very practical. While discussion of abstract ideas is a pleasure in itself, my main interest is the mechanics of living a good life. Epicurus's perspective has helped me to clarify that I have an excess of anxieties about unnecessary matters, and a deficiency of good friendships.

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
    • #12

    AxA check this thread for some past discussion on Meetup group possibilities:

    Thread

    Planning And Execution of A Local Group

    Epicurean Meetings and Conventions

    New: Meetup Handouts

    Update: As of 2/10/25 as I am writing this, it is my understanding that the Sydney Australia Epicurean meetup group is no longer operational. I have left the links below in case you want to look for prior versions of the page, but at present i am not aware of any operational Epicurean Meetup groups.

    In most parts of the world, there are at present very few opportunities for regular people who are interested in Epicurus to get together to…
    Cassius
    January 8, 2018 at 6:58 AM
  • Kalosyni
    Student of the Kepos
    Points
    17,510
    Posts
    2,133
    Quizzes
    2
    Quiz rate
    90.9 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 6:12 PM
    • #13
    Quote from AxA

    I think I'll learn a lot from this first attempt at a live meetup. I'll have to manage the conversation, make sure it's not just generic chat, and prevent anyone (including myself) from talking too much.

    Perhaps this...using a book on Epicurean philosophy.

    Probably the best "user-friendly" book is Emily Austin's book: "Living for Pleasure: an Epicurean Guide to Life"

    Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life - Emily Austin

  • Don
    ΕΠΙΚΟΥΡΕΙΟΣ (Epicurist)
    Points
    40,062
    Posts
    5,577
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    92.8 %
    • February 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
    • #14

    Maybe structure it as an Epicurean book discussion using Dr. Austin's book?

    We also have a two part podcast episode with her:

    Post

    Episode 156 - Lucretius Today Interviews Dr. Emily Austin - Part One

    Welcome to episode 156, a special two-part Episode of Lucretius Today. This is a podcast dedicated to the poet Lucretius, who wrote "On The Nature of Things," the only complete presentation of Epicurean philosophy left to us from the ancient world. Each week we walk you through the Epicurean texts, and we discuss how Epicurean philosophy can apply to you today. If you too find the Epicurean worldview attractive, we invite you to join us in the study of Epicurus at EpicureanFriends.com, where…
    Cassius
    January 10, 2023 at 12:58 AM
  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 11, 2025 at 11:15 AM
    • #15

    Yes. Her book is accessible to a wider audience. After time for those who are really interested in the ideas there is Dewitt and many other options.

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    103,095
    Posts
    14,124
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • February 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
    • #16

    So that others can more easily profit from the example in the future, the discussion of the development of AxA's Toronto group via meetup has been moved here:

    Post

    RE: Toronto Canada Meetup Group (Discussion on Implementation)

    Yes it sounds like you handled everything beautifully. i will split this off into a thread where it will be easier to find for people looking for this topic in the future.
    Cassius
    February 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM

Unread Threads

    1. Title
    2. Replies
    3. Last Reply
    1. Philodemus' "On Anger" - General - Texts and Resources 19

      • Like 1
      • Cassius
      • April 1, 2022 at 5:36 PM
      • Philodemus On Anger
      • Cassius
      • June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
    2. Replies
      19
      Views
      5.9k
      19
    3. Don

      June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
    1. The Religion of Nature - as supported by Lucretius' De Rerum Natura 4

      • Thanks 1
      • Kalosyni
      • June 12, 2025 at 12:03 PM
      • General Discussion of "On The Nature of Things"
      • Kalosyni
      • June 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM
    2. Replies
      4
      Views
      623
      4
    3. Godfrey

      June 23, 2025 at 12:36 AM
    1. New Blog Post From Elli - " Fanaticism and the Danger of Dogmatism in Political and Religious Thought: An Epicurean Reading"

      • Thanks 2
      • Cassius
      • June 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
      • Epicurus vs Abraham (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
      • Cassius
      • June 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
    2. Replies
      0
      Views
      1.4k
    1. Best Lucretius translation? 9

      • Like 1
      • Rolf
      • June 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
      • General Discussion of "On The Nature of Things"
      • Rolf
      • June 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
    2. Replies
      9
      Views
      498
      9
    3. Cassius

      June 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
    1. New Translation of Epicurus' Works 1

      • Thanks 2
      • Eikadistes
      • June 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
      • Uncategorized Discussion (General)
      • Eikadistes
      • June 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
    2. Replies
      1
      Views
      483
      1
    3. Cassius

      June 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM

Latest Posts

  • "The Darkening Age: Christian Destruction of the Classical World" - By Catherine Nixey (2018)

    kochiekoch June 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM
  • Principal Doctrine XIV - Analysis And Application - Article By George Kaplanis Posted In Elli's Blog

    Cassius June 30, 2025 at 1:37 PM
  • Forum Reorganization Pending: Subforums Devoted To Individual Principal Doctrines and Vatican Sayings To Be Consolidated

    Cassius June 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
  • Philodemus' "On Anger" - General - Texts and Resources

    Don June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM
  • Interesting website that connects people to work-stay vacations - farms

    Kalosyni June 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
  • Episode 288 - Tusculan Disputations Part 3 - "Will The Wise Man Feel Grief?" Not Yet Recorded

    Cassius June 30, 2025 at 6:18 AM
  • Happy Birthday General Thread

    Cassius June 30, 2025 at 4:05 AM
  • Articles concerning Epicurus and political involvement

    sanantoniogarden June 29, 2025 at 9:54 PM
  • Welcome Samsara73

    sanantoniogarden June 29, 2025 at 9:25 PM
  • Special Emphasis On "Emotions" In Lucretius Today Podcast / Tusculan Disputations - Should Everyone Aspire To Emulate Mr. Spock?

    Cassius June 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM

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