A shout-out to our newer members and anyone who hasn't previously attended a Zoom meeting...
Inviting all forum members to "Fourth Sunday" (this next Sunday)...which will have time for questions about the forum and Epicurean philosophy.
And Cassius will be presenting (based on the article sited above) and guiding the discussion.
RSVP if you are interested in attending! 
wbernys chump EdGenX Daniel188 D Campbell (and anyone else I may have missed mentioning).
-- the desire for eating tasty highly palatable foods all the time is an "unlimited" desire (difficult to fulfill and comes with painful consequences)
A food addiction or eating addiction is any behavioral addiction characterized primarily by the compulsive consumption of palatable and hyperpalatable food items, and potentially also sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Such foods often have high sugar, fat, and salt contents (HFSS), and markedly activate the reward system in humans and other animals. Those with eating addictions often overconsume such foods despite the adverse consequences (such as excess weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease) associated with their overconsumption.
fyi - The Fourth Sunday topic that was posted earlier today has now been changed to: "Pleasure, Atoms, and the Foundations of Epicurean Ethics" - facilitated by Cassius.
The thread for on that article is here:
I would begin with natural or unnatural, and eliminate the unnatural desires. Then I would reason out whether the resultant pleasures are likely to outweigh any pains involved. This goes along with my thinking that the natural and unnecessary desires are the sweet spot of day to day choices and avoidances. I examine these in terms of both the desires and the potential pleasures/pains, in no particular order.
I'm not sure if the labels of "natural, necessary, unnecessary, unnatural" are workable for me. I like to use more words to explore things, and here is an example:
Step 1: I notice that I feel desire for something specific: __________(xyz).
Step 2: If I get that ____________ (xyz), will the result will be one of the following?
a) relief from pain (food relieves the pain of hunger, and rest relieves the pain of exertion/work, aspirin relieves the pain of a headache).
b) protection of long-term well-being of the body (warm clothing for winter, warm housing, exercise, healthful foods)".
c) sufficiency/means for acquiring and maintaining basic needs.
d) necessities that provide "good spirits" (such as friends, or other social activities such as playing an instrument or dancing, etc.) ...and enjoyment of mental experiences (learning, teaching, memory).
e) anything else that is an enjoyment of bodily sensations and which are free from painful outcomes.
Step 3: Is the thing I desire something that has "limits" or is it an "unlimited desire" (something that can't be fulfilled)? And does it have painful/stressful consequences?
-- the desires for great wealth, fame, or power are "unlimited" (and are difficult to aquire and come with stressful consequences)
-- the desire for high-fashion clothing or the perfect high-end house is "unlimited" (and these are difficult to aquire without great wealth)
-- the desire for a life filled with perfect endless romance is an "unlimited" desire (and is difficult to aquire and comes with stressful consequences)
-- the desire for eating tasty highly palatable foods all the time is an "unlimited" desire (difficult to fulfill and comes with painful consequences)
Hi Everyone, Coming up this next Sunday is our "Fourth Sunday Epicurean Philosophy Discussion" Via Zoom -- open to forum members. If you haven't previously attended a Sunday Zoom, let us know if you are interested (either here in this thread or by private message to Cassius) so we can get the link to you.
This month's discussion topic: "Pleasure, Atoms, and the Foundations of Epicurean Ethics" - presented by Cassius
This will be based upon sections of the David Sedley article, which you can read here.
Hope to see you there!
Happy Twentieth Everyone!
Here is a fascinating article:
At the very least, Patient One’s brain activity – and the activity in the dying brain of another patient Borjigin studied, a 77-year-old woman known as Patient Three – seems to close the door on the argument that the brain always and nearly immediately ceases to function in a coherent manner in the moments after clinical death. “The brain, contrary to everybody’s belief, is actually super active during cardiac arrest,” Borjigin said. Death may be far more alive than we ever thought possible.
The following page contains a long explanation by the author Thomas Nail (Professor of Philosophy at the University of Denver) of his ideas regarding Lucretius, including his stance that Lucretius never used the word "atoms".
I've read about 2/3 of this and there is a lot to unpack. Since we are currently studying Lucretius at the weekly Sunday Zoom, then this may be of interest.
1. First Counter-Thesis: “Lucretius was not an Atomist”
The difference between Lucretius and the earlier Greek atomists is precisely that—the atom. For Leucippus, Democritus, and Epicurus atoms are always in motion, but the atom itself remains fundamentally unchanged, indivisible, and thus internally static—even as it moves. Instead of positing discrete atoms as ontologically primary as both ancient Greek and later modern theories do, one of Lucretius’ greatest novelties was to posit the movement or flow of matter as primary. I think Lucretius did not simply “translate Epicurus;” he transformed him.
For example, although Lucretius could have easily Latinized the Greek word atomos as atomus [smallest particle], as Cicero did, he intentionally did not, nor did he use the Latin word particula or particle to describe matter. The English translations of “atom,” “particle,” and others have all been added to the text based on a certain historical interpretation of it. The idea that Lucretius subscribed to a world of discrete particles called atoms is therefore both a projection of Epicureanism and a retroaction of modern scientific theories of mechanism onto De Rerum Natura. As such, Lucretitus’ writings have been crushed by the weight of his past and future at the same time.
I just found this interesting article on how important exercise is, and that it is as effective as pharmacological threatments or psychological treatments. And it also helps with neuroplasticity:
"We found that exercise was as effective as pharmacological treatments or psychological therapies as well," says Andrew Clegg, a professor at the University of Lancashire in the U.K.
The findings are not a surprise to psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Mateka, medical director of psychiatry at Inspira Health. "This new Cochrane review reinforces the evidence that exercise is one of the most evidence-based tools for improving mood," says Mateka.
He explains how it mirrors some of the effects of medication. "Exercise can help improve neurotransmitter function, like serotonin as well as dopamine and endorphins. So there is certainly overlap between exercise and how antidepressants offer relief," Mateka says.
You can read the full article here.
On a side note, I love young Epicurus in a spacesuit -- and it really is a fully appropriate image. THANK YOU!!!
It's certainly not the only way - but it is one way - to emphasize that Epicurean philosophy applies to everyone, that each of us gets old and eventually dies, and that we want the pleasure while we are alive of thinking that we are helping those who will come thereafter.
We write wills and do many other things to make sure that happens:
Fr. 3 ...
I am of the few who would say that Epicurus would not engage in spaceflight.
Just for fun I asked Google AI: In 2026, what are the odds that an astronaut will die?
Google response:
There's no precise "odds" for an astronaut death in 2026, but risks are managed with strict safety standards (like NASA's 1 in 270 crew loss target) against known dangers like radiation, while new threats like space debris increase overall risk, though specific mission fatality is unpredictable. While overall spaceflight is safer now, risks remain significant, with factors like space junk and radiation increasing long-term health concerns and potential mission dangers as exploration expands.
Key Factors Influencing Risk
Safety Measures & Targets
Overall Perspective
** 1 in 270 - is per mission
One such physical reality in post-Alexandrian Greece was the exchange of foreign forms of piety, and the need to explain the existence of these foreign, yet recognizably spiritual institutions. Surely something natural exists at the source of this seemingly-universal sense of piety.
Epíkouros calls this the divine nature. (Whether or not that corresponds with theoretical super-humans is up to you, but at least this much is true: a natural phenomena is responsible for the evolution of religion). Philódēmos records this as something like visions during dreams.
Happy Birthday Hyakinthos !
Happy Birthday to AUtC and D Campbell !
Hi Everyone! Here are some reflections on the past year -- EpicureanFriends 2025 Year in Review, highlighting forum events and projects, and member contributions:
In the past we've waited until the annual 20th (January 20th) to talk about the past year, but this year I thought it might be nice to get a head start, here and now, and for the full forum. I've compiled the above list (with some help from Cassius) hoping to highlight what we have done both together and individually.
And now, also, I want to make a shout-out of gratitude to Cassius for everything he has done and continues to do as the Admin (and founder) here on the EpicureanFriends forum. I especially want to say how much I appreciate his warm encouragement, down-to-earth guidance, and detailed presentation of the philosophy of Epicurus, in all of our weekly Zoom meetings - so thank you Cassius!
Having covered this here, that means for our January 20th Zoom, we will have more time in that meeting to talk about future developments for the year 2026...and it will also be Epicurus' Annual Birthday Celebration!
An excerpt from an article on the history of New Year's resolutions:
Alexis McCrossen, a history professor at Southern Methodist University whose research focuses on New Year's observances, says it was ancient Romans who first associated Jan. 1 with New Year's resolutions.
They celebrated the start of January by giving offerings to the month's namesake, Janus — the two-faced god of beginnings and endings — and auspicious gifts (like twigs from sacred trees) to their loved ones.
"It was a day to make promises and offerings," McCrossen says. "I think that's the origin of our New Year's resolution, because a resolution is a kind of promise."
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/31/nx-s1-5649767/new-years-resolutions-history
Happy Birthday Julia!
Welcome to the forum claire46
You might like this basic introductory video by Cassius:
There are a number of differences between Epicureanism and Stoicism, and so you will want to check out this chart made by Cassius on the differences between Epicurean philosophy and Stoic philosophy:
Happy New Year!
Some of us depending on where we live have already crossed into the new year, and others of us will soon.
This thread is for all to use to send out greetings for the new year!
Also, you are welcome to share any personal resolutions or ideas for how you want to make 2026 a great year...and also Epicurean thoughts too!
Happy New Year!
Welcome to the forum Hyakinthos !
