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Episode 344 — "We Can't Find True and Complete Happiness Unless We Have Knowledge Of What True and Complete Happiness Is"

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Kalosyni August 9, 2026 at 12:05 PM

Replied to the thread Overview of Epicurean Philosophy - Quick Visual.
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And to highlight....A pleasurable life is a life of good spirits and well-being.
Kalosyni August 9, 2026 at 11:32 AM

Posted the thread Overview of Epicurean Philosophy - Quick Visual.
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Here is a quick visual which presents an overview, and this will need a bit further development with text sources added to back up the points. I've oriented this into "actionable" aspects which is a simplified o overview for those who are new to the…
Kalosyni August 9, 2026 at 9:21 AM

Replied to the thread Theme Updates For the Website.
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I'm using the "Default Woltlab Style (Dark and Light)" theme which is different than the "Inspire" theme, because the drop-down menu functions better on my android tablet. I notice that the layout of the announcement box (Latest Lucretius Today Podcast)…
Cassius August 8, 2026 at 10:21 PM

Replied to the thread Opening Discussion of Kelly Arenson's "Health And Hedonism In Plato And Epicurus".
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Oh - Robert - I meant to say one more thing:

The overwhelming feeling I have at the moment in my reading of this book is what an incredible waste of time all this debating about katastematic and kinetic is. I am very impressed with the book and I think…
Cassius August 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM

Replied to the thread Episode 346 - EATAQ28 - Not Yet Recorded.
Post

In today's episode since we are continuing to talk about about the Stoics unwillingness to defend ALL sensations as true, I want us to remember to include:

Cicero, Academica ("Academic Questions"), Book II ("Lucullus"), Chapter XXV (C.D. Yonge's 1853…
Cassius August 8, 2026 at 9:16 PM

Replied to the thread Opening Discussion of Kelly Arenson's "Health And Hedonism In Plato And Epicurus".
Post

[…]

I think she is wrestling with the issues we have been discussing -- she's aware of the argument that katastematic pleasures are somehow superior, but she is not going to accept the definition of katastemtic that equates those pleasures with basically…
Robert August 8, 2026 at 7:19 PM

Replied to the thread Opening Discussion of Kelly Arenson's "Health And Hedonism In Plato And Epicurus".
Post

I've had the chance now to delve into this book--so far I've read chapters 5-8, and I'll next go to the beginning and pick it up from there. I tabled Chapter 4 temporarily as I didn't feel an immediate need to revisit the problems posed by De Finibus.

…
Kalosyni August 8, 2026 at 2:03 PM

Replied to the thread "Meet-and-Greet" Zoom- August 3rd, 8pm ET & August 9th, 12:30pm ET, 2026.
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We've sent out the Zoom link for tomorrow, looking to seeing you there!
Noah Calderon August 8, 2026 at 5:36 AM

Replied to the thread "Meet-and-Greet" Zoom- August 3rd, 8pm ET & August 9th, 12:30pm ET, 2026.
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Hi, I would love to attend tomorrow if it's possible. Thanks!
Robert August 7, 2026 at 9:33 PM

Replied to the thread Desires necessary for Happiness..
Post

wbernys My take was probably too simplistic, so thank you for presenting a more nuanced view.

We sometimes hear the term "public service" used in connection with politics--that is, people who take up political careers like to describe themselves as…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Posted the thread Theme Updates For the Website.
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After far too long we now have available a "dark mode" version of the "Inspire" theme - the default site style.

If you'd like to try it go to the bottom of any page and you'll see a "Change Style" link.

That will take you to a page that looks like this:

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wbernys August 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM

Replied to the thread Desires necessary for Happiness..
Post

[…]

I don't entirely agree with your comment, i think Epicurus did care about the polis to some extent, even if it carried obligations, Epicurus did say we should enter politics in emergencies for example. He's largely against aiming for political power,…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Posted the thread Episode 346 - EATAQ28 - Not Yet Recorded.
Thread

Welcome to Episode 346 of Lucretius Today. This is a podcast dedicated to the poet Lucretius, who wrote "On The Nature of Things," the most complete presentation of Epicurean philosophy left to us from the ancient world. Each week we walk you through the…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 12:59 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

That's correct, but if there is anything i am sure about it is that the attitudes expressed in the world's worst video collection are indeed the majority view, both of laymen and of "experts."

For one of an unlimited number of examples that could be…
Kalosyni August 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM

Posted the thread The Kharites (Charites) or Graces.
Thread

Most often the three charities (graces) are referenced through our modern lens of art appreciatioin for various art work such as frescoes in Pompeii, Sandro Botticelli’s painting “Primavera”, Raphael, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens, Francois…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 10:43 AM

Posted the thread Discussion Of The Article: "The Completeness Argument, Cicero's Knowledge Of It, And The Epicurean Response".
Thread

This thread is for discussion of the article linked below.

The issue of completeness and perfection was of great concern to the ancient Greeks, and we aren't going to understand what Epicurus had to say about pleasure as the supreme good unless we…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 10:42 AM

Wrote the blog article The Completeness Argument, Cicero's Knowledge Of It, And The Epicurean Response.
Blog Article

The Completeness Argument
One of the oldest objections to placing the highest good in anything other than virtue runs like this: the good must be complete — whole, finished, lacking nothing — and cannot be a process, a becoming, or anything that admits of…
DaveT August 7, 2026 at 9:39 AM

Replied to the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.
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[…]

[…]

Yes. And yes to both comments above. I can’t avoid using my decades of training and experience as an attorney when I read or study a topic. As an advocate, I needed to parse not only the words but the motivations, and first-hand knowledge of…
Kalosyni August 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.
Post

Welcome to the forum EpicuriousDavid

As far as an online course, we started preparing material but haven't finished it. (I will see what I can find with regard to some of what was being worked on and post soon).

In the meantime, I would recommend this…
Kalosyni August 7, 2026 at 9:09 AM

Replied to the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.
Post

[…]

It's true that the idea of "a telos" is not something that your everyday person goes around thinking about.

Pleasure is often thought of as being "in process" and "changing". But as I see it, Epicurus taught that necessary desires are easy to fulfill,…
DaveT August 7, 2026 at 8:45 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

I don't know. I guess it is a personal choice. Of course we never want to appear to be relying on a strawman argument to prove a point.
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 8:44 AM

Replied to the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.
Post

In regard to this part I think you are part-way to answering your own question:

In the last two years especially, there has been more focus on the forum and in the podcast to gain a deeper context of Epicurean philosophy through study of other textual…
Kalosyni August 7, 2026 at 8:41 AM

Commented on blog article Reflections on Five Years on the EpicureanFriends Forum.
Comment (Blog Article)

I've just set up this thread to further discuss philosophical ideas of complexity, contradictions, and testing out things:

Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy
Kalosyni August 7, 2026 at 8:38 AM

Posted the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.
Thread

In a recent blog post I wrote the following (and opening up this thread to discuss further):

"In the last two years especially, there has been more focus on the forum and in the podcast to gain a deeper context of Epicurean philosophy through study of…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 6:45 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.
Post

David given what you wrote about just starting your study of Epicurus, you might find this recent post by Kalosyni -- and the reply to her which I just posted -- to be of particular interest as you get started reading.

…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 6:43 AM

Commented on blog article Reflections on Five Years on the EpicureanFriends Forum.
Comment (Blog Article)

Thank you for being here!

In regard to this part I think you are part-way to answering your own question:

In the last two years especially, there has been more focus on the forum and in the podcast to gain a deeper context of Epicurean philosophy through…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 6:27 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.
Post

Welcome David - And yes you followed the instructions correctly. I particularly appreciate how you emailed us without being prompted, just on the basis of the registration instructions. We have a lot of spam registrations and you are proof that it is…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 6:24 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.
Post

EpicuriousDavid tells us:

Hi,

I recently signed up with username EpicuriousDavid

I was brought to the forum specifically by searching for 'Epicurus online class', your website showed up and looked very interesting. I was looking for a structured way to…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 6:23 AM

Posted the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.
Thread

Welcome EpicuriousDavid

There is one last step to complete your registration: All new registrants must email Cassius so that this Welcome Thread can contain basic information about your background and interest in Epicurus. In that email, please tell us…
Cassius August 7, 2026 at 6:20 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Yes, I would agree that different lived experiences are going to have a huge impact on what one views as the goal of living or the highest good. That's why I don't think we see Epicurus talking too much about the details of enjoyment of particular…
Robert August 6, 2026 at 10:15 PM

Replied to the thread Desires necessary for Happiness..
Post

wbernys Your approach to this question makes sense to me. More specifically, I agree that it's important to view happiness in Epicurean terms--as there are other notions of happiness out there. Some would consider success in public life or high…
Cassius August 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM

Replied to the thread Episode 345 - EATAQ27 - We Can't Find True and Complete Happiness Unless We Have Knowledge Of What True and Complete Happiness Is.
Post

Episode 345 of the Lucretius Today Podcast is now available. This week our episode is entitled: "We Can't Find True and Complete Happiness Unless We Have True Knowledge Of What True and Complete Happiness Is"

Complete transcript:

…
Patrikios August 6, 2026 at 12:39 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
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[…]

[…]

Cassius Not to debate the point, but if someone has not experienced the deep, deep, sensory pleasure of regular meditation, they are missing one of life’s greatest pleasures, in my humble opinion based on decades of experience. I have found…
Kalosyni August 6, 2026 at 11:36 AM

Has received the trophy Active Member 5 Years or more.
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Awarded for 5 Years or more on the forum as an active member
Kalosyni August 6, 2026 at 11:33 AM

Wrote the blog article Reflections on Five Years on the EpicureanFriends Forum.
Blog Article

Reflections on Five Years on the EpicureanFriends Forum

Today is my five year anniversary on the forum, and here are some thoughts and reflections.

My interest in Epicurean philosophy began five years ago during the summer of 2021, just as Covid was…
Kalosyni August 6, 2026 at 7:40 AM

Replied to the thread "Meet-and-Greet" Zoom- August 3rd, 8pm ET & August 9th, 12:30pm ET, 2026.
Post

Thank you for your RSVP EdGenX ...we'll send out the link the day before the meeting
EdGenX August 5, 2026 at 9:57 PM

Replied to the thread "Meet-and-Greet" Zoom- August 3rd, 8pm ET & August 9th, 12:30pm ET, 2026.
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I can attend Sunday @1230
Cassius August 5, 2026 at 3:16 PM

Replied to the thread Episode 344 - EATAQ26 - What Is Our Mind's Role In Determining Truth?.
Post

This is from the wikipedia page:

Epistemology
Main article: Epistemology

According to the Stoics, knowledge can be attained through the application of reason to the impressions (phantasiai) received by the mind through the senses. The mind can judge…
Patrikios August 5, 2026 at 2:51 PM

Replied to the thread Episode 344 - EATAQ26 - What Is Our Mind's Role In Determining Truth?.
Post

Cassius , Joshua ,

[…]

Could you elaborate a bit more on how a person today should understand what was meant by ‘assent’ in this context? Does this imply a conscious thought process to choose to accept the truth of a sense input; which animals do…
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 2:07 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Yes, thanks for catching that. I edited the statement to say what I meant to read: I am in no way even inferrring.
Cassius August 5, 2026 at 11:18 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

On this point, I don't think there's a general Epicurean rule that says. "First, deal with pain." Certainly not "First, deal with all pain." Now there clearly is a hierarchy for teaching about the nature of the universe (no supernatural gods; true…
Cassius August 5, 2026 at 11:06 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Dave I am the world's worst at dropping "nots." Was this suppose to be "I am not even inferring"..... Or Iam i just misreading that sentence?
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 11:05 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

As I feel the same way about your part of this discussion

[…]

I can't agree with this "If--then" proposition. Pleasure and pain can exist in the same space, if you meant to say simultaneously. Is that even arguable?

And so say any particular pleasure can…
Cassius August 5, 2026 at 11:03 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

NOTE: I spent a long time composing this so it does not reflect any posts by Dave or others made after #45. I'll come back to those.

Thank you Patrikios - that's what I get for writing at 2:00 AM.

Here's what i typed:

[…]

And here's the untangled version:

…
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 10:42 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Respectfully, I don't see that as a problem. I see it as a feature that anyone, from the wise man, to the common man can grasp within each of their ability. We are after all trying to being this philosophy to the common man as you had essentially…
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 10:39 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

No, I don't think that is the issue which you then off your support for. The hedonic calculus does not spell out what each individual can (must?) do to achieve the ultimate good. I think PD 09 addresses this, no?
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 10:36 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Here, it is good to see we agree. Again, and as always he trusts us to use the hedonic calculus, but as to the beginning of our journey, deal with the pain, and you are already a good solid step in a happy life.
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 10:34 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

No, emphatically no. PD09 actually supports my proposition.Here, from our Texts on the Forum site: "If every pleasure could be intensified so that it lasted, and influenced the whole organism or the most essential parts of our nature, pleasures…
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 10:23 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Your quote of Cicero, I think does not address my thesis. I am not questioning the academic analysis of pleasure is the chief good. Epicurus said it, and I hoped it was clear I'm not focusing on it.
DaveT August 5, 2026 at 10:19 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of the thread - Against Katastematic Supremacy - Pleasure Is A Unified Whole And Not A House Divided - Forum Editorial Policy.
Post

[…]

Yes and no. You understand the part about eliminating pain. Except once you experience pleasure , you are mistaken in the second part of your restatement. I am in no way even inferring obliquely that whatever you find available after the pain is gone.…

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Epistemology

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