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Matteng April 18, 2026 at 7:16 AM

Posted the thread Innovations/Updates in Epicurus Philosophy.
Thread

Hi,

in one of Hirams essays about the 4. criterion of the Canon he mentions rules for Innovations or Updating the Philosophy. I like the idea so that it can evolve with new data and scientific findings.

What do you think about it ? Has someone direct…
wbernys April 18, 2026 at 3:28 AM

Posted the thread Have PD35 and Vatican Saying 7 been straw-manned?.
Thread

Hello all,

I’ve been thinking about PD 35 and Vatican Saying 7, A common interpretation (especially in modern discussions) is that even a single unjust act results in ever-lasting fear or instability until death, since one can never be certain of escaping…
Cassius April 18, 2026 at 12:14 AM

Posted the thread Sunday April 19, 2026 - Zoom Meeting - Lucretius Book Review - Starting Book One Line 346 - More On Void.
Thread

This week we pick up with more on the void at line 346 of book one.

https://handbook.epicureanfriends.com/sbslucretius/#1-346
Cassius April 17, 2026 at 11:44 PM

Posted the thread Episode 330 - EATAQ 12 - The Stoics Opt For Virtue At All Cost And Knowledge As Bodily Grasping.
Thread

Welcome to Episode 330 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 April 17, 2026 at 4:01 PM

Replied to the thread Episode 329 - EATAQ 11 - Cracks In The Academy On Ideal Forms And Virtue Lead To The Emergence of Aristotle, The Stoics, And Epicurus.
Post

Episode 329 of the Lucretius Today Podcast is now available. This week our episode is entitled: "Cracks In The Academy On Ideal Forms and Virtue Lead To The Emergence of Aristotle, The Stoics,And Epicurus"

…
Cassius April 17, 2026 at 11:10 AM

Posted the thread Commentary On The Principal Doctrines And Vatican Sayings.
Thread

I have prepared a short commentary on each of the Principal Doctrines and Vatican Sayings with special attention given to common misconceptions about each one.

The home of the basic list will be here while it is going through early phases of composition…
Cassius April 17, 2026 at 10:59 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Morgan!.
Post

I don't know that we know much more about the story of Epicurus questioning his teachers, but if anyone has an anecdote from Usener it's probably Bryan
Cassius April 17, 2026 at 10:57 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Morgan!.
Post

Morgan thanks for your email. You should have received "Registration" email saying essentially this:

Thank you for your interest in the EpicureanFriends forum.

Please respond to this email with basic information about your background and interest in…
Cassius April 17, 2026 at 10:56 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Morgan!.
Post

Morgan writes us:

Hello, I'm delighted to become a new member, and as far as I can see, I should respond to my welcome message, and whilst I'm pretty sure this may not be the way to do so, I can't identify a 'reply' button, so forgive the rough and ready…
Cassius April 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM

Posted the thread Welcome Morgan!.
Thread

Welcome Morgan

There is one last step to complete your registration:

All new registrants must post a response to this message here in this welcome thread (we do this in order to minimize spam registrations).

You must post your response within 24 hours,…
Martin April 17, 2026 at 2:50 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

There are analogies between modern physics and ancient philosophies. In comparison, the most and strongest analogies appear to be with Epicurean physics.

A new theory typically does not follow from the old theory it replaces. Nevertheless, the old theory…
Matteng April 17, 2026 at 1:22 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

Right, this was not good formulated from my side. Modern Physics are all new discoveries.

I think that Epicurus would integrate their findings today in his Philosophy when they have good evidence.
Cassius April 16, 2026 at 8:36 PM

Replied to the thread Episode 329 - EATAQ 11 - Cracks In The Academy On Ideal Forms And Virtue Lead To The Emergence of Aristotle, The Stoics, And Epicurus.
Post

This episode is turning out to be a little shorter than usual, and kind of transitional, as we discuss the divergence of Aristotle from the Academy and begin to touch on the emergence of Stoicism. This is complicated stuff and we can only touch the…
Cassius April 16, 2026 at 8:31 PM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

[…]

I would not say that, and I feel certain Martin would not say so either.

Epicurus is targeting his claim of their being an ultimate limit to divisibility to the opposite argument made by prior philosophers - that there is no conceivable limit to…
kochiekoch April 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM

Replied to the thread Why Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure" Book Title Is Particularly Apt.
Post

She's dead to the community. She's not playing the game and getting into the role the early Christian community laid out for her. The sinning widow is going to hell in a bucket!

Grateful Dead - Hell In A Bucket (Official Music Video)
Patrikios April 16, 2026 at 3:50 PM

Replied to the thread Epicurus' Response to "Infinite Regress" Arguments.
Post

Is this topic related to the thread on Motion?

Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?
Patrikios April 16, 2026 at 3:44 PM

Replied to the thread Why Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure" Book Title Is Particularly Apt.
Post

[…]

From a naturalist or Epicurean standpoint, the widow who studies nature, cultivates reason, builds friendships, and finds peace through understanding the world around her is living with extraordinary richness and intentionality. Calling that…
Matteng April 16, 2026 at 3:21 PM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

In the past I thought laws of nature and natural forces are missing in Epicurean physics.

I searched for them and yes would like partly in this thread see the forces in the „motion of uncuttables“ but maybe also with an extension like an additional…
Cassius April 16, 2026 at 11:54 AM

Replied to the thread Episode 329 - EATAQ 11 - Cracks In The Academy On Ideal Forms And Virtue Lead To The Emergence of Aristotle, The Stoics, And Epicurus.
Post

We don't get far into this issue of "kalapsis" in this episode, but it came up in our background discussions and it's going to come up further in coming weeks. For that reason I have set up the following thread, and anyone who has time to help us move…
Cassius April 16, 2026 at 11:52 AM

Posted the thread Epicurean Prolepsis / Canonics vs Stoic Katalepsis.
Thread

in coming weeks on the podcast we are going to be making a decision how much further to go into Cicero's "Academic Questions" and when to turn our attention to Philodemus' "On Signs."

A key aspect of when we will be ready to do that will involve our…
Cassius April 16, 2026 at 11:22 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

Thanks Patrikios. It's always tricky to try to fit the "logic" arguments with the latest "science."

Going back to Sedley's Article "The Inferential Basis of Epicurean Ethics," I think there's a relationship here between Epicurus' decision to divide the…
Eikadistes April 16, 2026 at 10:14 AM

Replied to the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Post

[…]

I do not believe that we are on the brink of a 'Fifth Great Awakening' of American Christianity. If anything, the general trend right now is a line from Catholicism to astrology.

I think it's political context. I can think of a handful of minor tweaks…
Patrikios April 16, 2026 at 10:04 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

[…]

Thanks Martin and Cassius for your explanations.

Here is how Claude AI helps explain.

[…]

So as I understand, the constant movement of the smallest indivisible particle (Epicurean atoms) creates the potential for movement by the compound object,…
Cassius April 16, 2026 at 7:07 AM

Wrote the article Questions? Ask The Epicureans.
Article

We recognize that not everyone who visits our page is ready, willing, or able to register a full account at EpicureanFriends.

For those who would prefer to submit questions to us by email, we've set up a "Question Line" at Questions@epicureanfriends.com .

Send us an email with your question, and if we find it to be of general interest we'll set up a thread and our participants here can discuss what they think might be the best answers to your topic.

We can't promise to respond to each one, but if…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 4:05 PM

Replied to the thread Klavan's "Gateway To Epicureanism" (Note: The Title Is Part Of A "Gateway" Series - The Author Himself Is Strongly Anti-Epicurean).
Post

There's a second podcast which i haven't been able to listen to yet, but for which there is a full transcript here.

Couple of highlights:

The Failure of Epicureanism as a System of Belief
In the preface of Gateway to the Epicureans, Spencer Clavin asserts:

…
wbernys April 15, 2026 at 2:59 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Post

For what it's worth i also heard it's just hype. It's based on one study which says that among church going people, young people attend 1.9 times a month compared to 1.8 times compared to millennials (wow such a huge increase /s) and a bunch of poor…
Kalosyni April 15, 2026 at 2:41 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Post

I have not fully read the article above, but wanted to comment regarding any idea that Epicurean philosophy would be a better option for an individual interested in Christianity -- I think that anyone who is moving toward Christianity hasn't fully dealt…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 2:21 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Post

Good comments Steve and wbernys. As for Steve I hope you are that the claimed resurgence in Catholicism or old-line religion is overblown . I wonder if our much younger members here see any of this and whether they have any comment on whether they think…
kochiekoch April 15, 2026 at 2:03 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Post

From what I understand, the supposed religious revival among Gen Z's is mostly hype. There are some isolated pockets of mini revivals, but the Z's have the least interest in religion than any other generation in US history. Some 1/3 of them are 'nones'.

…
wbernys April 15, 2026 at 1:38 PM

Replied to the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Post

[…]

Josh Hawley in my view is a typical guy like Plutarch, trying to frighten people with a "meaning crisis" and "decaying moral values" to make people believe in superstition and go back to the good ol' dark ages. All while ignoring that actual root that…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 12:06 PM

Posted the thread Discussion of Blog Article - "In Troubled Times, Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather than The Pope".
Thread

This thread is for discussion of the blog article below:

epicureanfriends.com/wcf/blog/entry/70/
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 11:34 AM

Wrote the blog article In Troubled Times, Why Young People Should Turn To Epicurus Rather Than To The Pope.
Blog Article

A friendly but direct word to young people searching for solid ground and thinking they might find it in the old but newly trendy Church
This article is also available on Substack.

Something is stirring among young people in the West, and it deserves to be…
Martin April 15, 2026 at 11:03 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

In a Newtonian universe with absolute space and time and when there is a point in time where there is no motion of that atom in the chosen frame of reference, yes, this would be the case at all other points in time, the atom would never move and would…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 10:54 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Aeneadum!.
Post

Here is one such thread but I am afraid it mostly goes off in other directions after Pacatus 's comment (which is more on point with the current question).

RE: Thoughts and Discussion on Organizing Epicurean Community

When Pacatus has time he may…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 9:57 AM

Replied to the thread Why Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure" Book Title Is Particularly Apt.
Post

[…]

According to "our friend" Paul it likely applies to everyone!
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 9:57 AM

Replied to the thread Why Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure" Book Title Is Particularly Apt.
Post

I am warned that everyone will not get or appreciate the humor of my comment and it may take more effort to understand the play on words - but like on "Galaxy Quest" -

"Never Give Up! Never Surrender!"
Kalosyni April 15, 2026 at 8:56 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Aeneadum!.
Post

Welcome to the forum Aeneadum

The greatest motivation for quiting addictions is realizing that the pain outweighs the pleasure. Also, the strong desire to feel healthy again, and the strong desire to do what is necessary to maintain long-term health…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 8:12 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

Martin - Is this saying that a single atom in an infinite void would not move, but require the presence of at least one other atom for there to be attraction capable of resulting in movement?

If so that might reconcile how gravity results in motion but…
Martin April 15, 2026 at 7:46 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Aeneadum!.
Post

Welcome Aeneadum!
Martin April 15, 2026 at 7:39 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

Here is my comment to Patrikios' thought experiment:
Placing the object outside Earth’s gravity would not be enough because then it could be in the Sun's gravity. Placing it outside the Sun’s gravity would still not be enough because then it could be…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 7:31 AM

Replied to the thread Klavan's "Gateway To Epicureanism" (Note: The Title Is Part Of A "Gateway" Series - The Author Himself Is Strongly Anti-Epicurean).
Post

[…]

In case Wbernys' reference to "reviews like this" is not clear, it's a reference to the "Antigone" article by Spencer Klavan linked in my previous post.

Very good analysis Wbernys - and in this context I don't see any issues with that youtube link,…
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 7:25 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

Thank you Martin!
Cassius April 15, 2026 at 7:23 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Aeneadum!.
Post

Very well stated response Wbernys -

Also, as to this:

[…]

Those are quotations we don't see very often. Do you have citations to those that readers can follow to verify them?
Martin April 15, 2026 at 6:36 AM

Replied to the thread Is Motion One Of The Three Eternal Properties of Atoms? I.E. Are The Three Properties Shape, Size, and MOTION?.
Post

Here are my answers to Cassius' questions:

Gravity is one of four fundamental forces which can be considered as independent and their own entities in easy-to-understand models. There is a unified theory for the other three forces. Moreover, there are…
wbernys April 15, 2026 at 1:29 AM

Replied to the thread Welcome Aeneadum!.
Post

[…]

Nope, sorry. My father has quit cigarettes after a long time though. I think the first tenet that we are powerless over out addiction would be completely rejected and is actually harmful. Recognizing that we do have power over our lives is…
wbernys April 15, 2026 at 1:08 AM

Replied to the thread Klavan's "Gateway To Epicureanism" (Note: The Title Is Part Of A "Gateway" Series - The Author Himself Is Strongly Anti-Epicurean).
Post

Reviews like this are why i don't bother reading anything critical of Epicurus anymore, NOT because i think their CANNOT be good criticisms of Epicurus, but because they always state something that is direct opposite of what he says in his doctrines…
Aeneadum April 14, 2026 at 10:39 PM

Replied to the thread Welcome Aeneadum!.
Post

Has any one here used Epicurus as their Higher Power in a 12 step setting, or know of anyone who has?

(I would hope no one simply points out that the Tetrapharmakon contradicts the many mentions of a God in the 12 Steps. In practice, many atheists apply…
Godfrey April 14, 2026 at 10:00 PM

Replied to the thread Why Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure" Book Title Is Particularly Apt.
Post

Does this apply to widowers, too?
Cassius April 14, 2026 at 9:07 PM

Replied to the thread Why Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure" Book Title Is Particularly Apt.
Post

For some reason this following verse escaped my attention til now and I thought i would drop it here:

I guess we better be careful about recommending Emily Austin's book to widows!

1 Timothy 5-6: But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while
…
Cassius April 14, 2026 at 8:08 PM

Replied to the thread Klavan's "Gateway To Epicureanism" (Note: The Title Is Part Of A "Gateway" Series - The Author Himself Is Strongly Anti-Epicurean).
Post

As we continue to discuss some of these issues I want to restate what I think are ultimate issues in Epicurean physics from which no retreat makes sense:

The first issue is whether matter is INFINITELY divisible. Epicurus says no in part because of the…

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A friendly but direct word to young people searching for solid ground and thinking they might find it in the old but newly trendy Church

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