Posts by bradley.whitley

Sad to see so many afraid of losing a temple.

I am not sure, but I believe he quoted that and other sundry verses. I just cut to the chase.

It is pretty much a given that all people at some point question their mortality and worry about death.

In the local supermarket this afternoon I was "witnessed" too by a missionary. I guess his assignment after service was to hit up the market for converts. After his usual pitch, I asked him if he was scared to die. Of course he said no. He was in the great number of saints. Then I asked him what if he died and there was no immortal existence, and all of the missionary work pointed to a great nothing? He looked upset and said, then I would have wasted my life.

I calmly said, I rest my case. Smiled and before I walked off, I told him death is nothing to us. We have no recall of life before birth. Death is the same way. No sensation. Don't fear it. Live today.

Oh yes. Sounds like Eastern NC. Can't go a day without the rapture coming up.

As much as we ascribe good and bad to hypothetical states of being, we undermine our Master's teaching. The master was not a Platonist.

What is the true and the good? Pleasure is pleasure.

I am enjoying this thread. Elayne and Elli are great writers!

And Frances Wright will now be read at my funeral.

Thanks, Cassius!

Thanks

Oscar and all,

I teach 8th grade students. Suicide is always a threat. Epicurus can help. I am even seeing this in my young sons. They are finding happiness and pleasure in simply being. No stressing of "ideal" or "model" this or that. Just trusting the senses and anticipations, looking at Nature, and living. Once you shed the "forms" the "plan" etc. Kids and adults suddenly find life. A life of pleasures.

I think a gathering of American Epicureans is a great idea. I would hope that we could get together before 2030 though!

Elli

Lidl is new here. They opened up their first markets here in 2017.

I enjoy visiting mine!

Hello Friends,

I got lost with the Buddhist past life stuff.

Dump Lent. It's superstition. That would be my advice. Just enjoy life. Tomorrow we could be food for the worms. Today! Today! Today! Seek pleasure. Why be ascetic? The Garden was not Ascetic.

Elli, and all friends.

I am pleased to announce that we have found Greek Feta at our local Lidl market. We have preserved figs, we will get Feta and Pita bread for our 20th. I also have some very good, but cheap Port that I and my wife Amanda will have. James and David will have their favorite soft drink.

Good health and cheer to all,

Brad

David is 4. So far its learning Catius with him.

As far as Deity goes, I find Epicurus's position to be adequate.

Death is just that. Death. Worm food.

Pleasure is being free of pain. I prefer higher pleasures, but I also enjoy a nice can of PBR with friends at a bar.

Cassius,

He is my oldest. Aged 7. I think A Day in Athens is next on our list. He is reading at a 4th grade level in 1st grade.

Nature of the Universe

1. Atoms and Void, eternally existent.

2. Nothing comes from Nothing

3. Atomic Swerve accounts for universes and planets and life getting started.

4. Many Worlds and Many galaxies exist.

Nature of Knowledge

1. Senses

2. Perception of Pleasure and Pain

Ethics

1. No "Ideals"

2. So called "good traits" or "virtue" are means to pleasure. Not ideals to strive for.

3. Free will

4. Because of Free will engage in hedonic calculus.

Well, here it is. Elementary at best.

Elli

Interesting posts. I would like to hear more on this matter. Fascinating.