Recent Updates From Across EpicureanFriends.com

Germany's welfare system is close to it except that people need to apply for their handouts and cannot reject every job offer without risking cuts in their handouts. Statistics, old studies on long-term unemployment and my observations match in the…

Germany's welfare system is close to it except that people need to apply for their handouts and cannot reject every job offer without risking cuts in their handouts. Statistics, old studies on long-term unemployment and my observations match in the…

PD3 -A - The Lens.png
In most "enlightened" circles today it is accepted and even required correctness to teach that the universe is not controlled by meddling gods, and that it is foolish to look for a life after death. Thus far Epicurus enters into…

I will be very interested to observe the results if that project gets off the ground because it would illustrate more clearly what the Epicurean deities would have to be like according to the philosophical descriptions. Like I've said previously, I…

I will be very interested to observe the results if that project gets off the ground because it would illustrate more clearly what the Epicurean deities would have to be like according to the philosophical descriptions. Like I've said previously, I…

Hermotimus, Or, The Rival Philosophies

Characters: Lycinus. Hermotimus
Context: Lucian in the character of Lycinus educates a friend on true philosophy.

Lycinus. Good morning, Hermotimus; I guess by your book and the pace you are going at that you…

Zeus Cross-Examined

Characters: Cyniscus. Zeus
Context: Zeus is cross-examined by Cyniscus about the supposed role of Fate in human affairs, and how Fate squares with the supposed powers of the gods.



Cyniscus. Zeus: I am not going to…

The Liar

Characters: Tychiades. Philocles


Context: A farcical story of ridiculous tales told by men in the name of religion.



Tychiades. Philocles, what is it that makes most men so fond of a lie? Can you explain it? Their delight in…

Hiram I was posting a couple of the Lucian dialogues here and that reminded me of this one:

Lucian: The Parasite, A Demonstration That Sponging Is A Profession



I can't remember what the basic point of it was, however, and I am afraid it is too…

The Parasite, A Demonstration That Sponging Is A Profession

Characters: Tychiades. Simon

Context: A farcical discussion of living as a parasite off one’s neighbors. Such a life is distinguished from Epicureanism, but a number of other…

The Double Indictment

Characters: Zeus. Hermes. Justice. Pan. Several Athenians. The Academy. The Porch. Epicurus. Virtue. Luxury. Diogenes. Rhetoric. A Syrian. Dialogue
Context: Zeus convenes a court to answer the criticism of those who say the…

Incaromenippus, An Aerial Expedition

Characters: Menippus and a Friend
Context: A discussion of a trip supposedly made to Olympus; the theme is the absurdity of the common religion.



Menippus. Well, a very short survey of life had convinced me…

The True History


Context: In this composition, Lucian weaves a clearly imaginary tale of a fantastic Odyssey-like voyage in which he and his shipmates are lifted up by a whirlwind to the moon where a number of adventures take place before they…

A Slip of The Tongue In Salutation

Context: This brief excerpt is part of a much longer composition devoted to a discussion of manners of speech used in greeting and parting. Epicurus’ manner of greeting is mentioned in passing:


But I need hardly…

I would definitely think you'd want to incorporate the imagery from On the Nature of The Gods.

And of course in this discussion we also have to consider the specific phrase "gods among men," and the serious or semi-serious or allegorical references to Epicurus himself as a god, for which reason you could presumably have idealized but recognizable…

(Quote from Laughing Democritus)


I don't really disagree with that wording, but I think part of the issue we are talking about is whether the description is purely philosophical / conceptual, or whether it includes the actual references to the material…

(Quote from Hiram)

Yes I think the only way to consider this kind of question (or any question?) is within a specific context, whether it's the USA today or any country in Europe or any other specific context, so you have facts with which you can discuss…

I think the general concept behind Hindu Iconography has a great potential to help in creating an image. The Hindus have mastered that art form.

73A43EA0-289E-4B97-A9CF-1EB6FA8D60DE.jpegEEB75320-42F0-4799-B1BF-7A55D976BC0C.png

(Quote from Laughing Democritus)

I could not find a smiling Venus or Aphrodite when I searched on google, but I found a SMILING Lakshmi, which is the Hindu version.

(Quote from Laughing Democritus)

I could not find a smiling Venus or Aphrodite when I searched on google, but I found a SMILING Lakshmi, which is the Hindu version.

It is clear that this was not discussed in antiquity, and that ancient sources point to not one definite answer but many possible ways of thinking about this, based on specific conditions.

I'm strongly inclined to consider this in terms of American…

That way you avoid being associated with something that perhaps does not represent your philosophical convictions.

I think it would be an interesting artistic exercise to attempt to create an "Epicurean Deity" based solely on the philosophical description, devoid of the polytheistic accretions.

…

I need to update and reformat this list, but when I worked before on listing the known Epicureans of the ancient world this is the list I came up with:

(So perhaps if we are looking for people to image this is a good place to start)

…

I need to update and reformat this list, but when I worked before on listing the known Epicureans of the ancient world this is the list I came up with:

(So perhaps if we are looking for people to image this is a good place to start)

…

Right now if I knew a young person who was confused and wanted a model of what it would mean to be an Epicurean I would be at a loss to draw such a picture. I might refer them to read "A Few Days In Athens" and of course if they were old enough I might…

Ok I am feeling a little better and just read the most recent posts. I don't think any of us think that many of the details of the stories of the gods acting childishly are relevant or useful, other than maybe at most in the way that various stories in…