Posts by td76

Thank you Cassius for taking the time to read what I have submitted and respond with a lot of detail. You've definitely given me some things to think about.

To answer your first question, obviously the natural and necessary desires must be satisfied. To neglect them would result in pain. However, you have made me rethink my position on whether the unnecessary desires be changed from "must" to something more akin to "should" depending on each individuals circumstance. What may apply to me, doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. Obviously, this is subjective to the individual and I thank you for pointing this out to me.

When I say I'm still thinking about things, they mostly lie in epistemology. I don't think I have a good grasp on the application of the Canon when it comes to testing the truth of a statement. I also have a weak understanding of the anticipations and what this faculty is. It would be very helpful to me to form an exercise where the application of the Canon is used to test the truth of a claim. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

I think I'm off to a good start, but I'm still thinking about some things.

1. Nature/Physics

* The universe is only comprised of matter/energy (elemental particles) and space/time (void).

* Elemental particles combine to form compounds which make up the different substances found in the universe, to include the building

blocks of life.

* Elemental particles act in accordance to natural laws that govern them.

* Nothing can come from nothing. We do not observe things popping into existence.

* Nothing can be destroyed to nothing (Law of Conservation of Energy).

* Higher beings who are deathless likely exist in the universe, but are not supernatural.

They are not aware of humans and would not care about us if they were aware.

* Our world isn't the only one with life on it. (Doctrine of innumerable worlds)

* The "soul" is not a separate entity from our body. It formed with the body and did not exist before birth, and

perishes with the body when we die. I view it as our perceived individual consciousness.

* Free will.

* The universe is infinite. There is no observable boundry and the universe is continuing to expand.

* The universe is eternal. It didn't just pop into existence (Nothing comes from nothing, no creator).

2. Knowledge/Truth

* The five senses.

* Nature provides us with the faculty of pleasure (beneficial actions) and pain (detrimental actions). Both mental and physical.

* Anticipations.

3. Ethics/How to live

* Pleasure is the telos of life.

* Natural and necessary desires, which result in pain when not fulfilled, must be satisfied. These desires are simple

foods, water, shelter, clothing, friendship, security, exercise, etc.

* Arrange your life so that the necessary desires can be acquired with little trouble and expense.

* Natural and unnecessary desires, that do not result in pain if not fulfilled must be moderated. These desires are exotic

food and drink, sex, marriage, children, hobbies etc.

* Unnatural and unnecessary desires which are not limited by nature must be avoided. These things are status, extreme wealth,

fame, etc.

* Not all pleasures are to be pursued and not all pains are to be avoided.

* Live unknown.

* Avoid politics.