Recent Activities
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Cassius
August 25, 2026 at 9:10 PM Replied to the thread Updates To Home Page - New "Featured Articles" and "Featured Podcasts" Sections.Post[…]
Thank you Patrikios I think that is fixed now. -
Patrikios
August 25, 2026 at 3:30 PM Replied to the thread Updates To Home Page - New "Featured Articles" and "Featured Podcasts" Sections.PostCassius
There is a miss-link. Under the Articles list, the entry for Christos Yapijakis: “Epicurean Philosophy, Modern Science, and Life”, links to a different article by Elli.
It would be good to see more articles by Yapijakis and other medical… -
Patrikios
August 25, 2026 at 3:19 PM Replied to the thread Updates To Home Page - New "Featured Articles" and "Featured Podcasts" Sections.Post[…]
💕💕💕
Excellent closing;, or as my Southern Baptist relatives would say, “Great Altar Call”👍 -
Patrikios
August 25, 2026 at 3:08 PM Replied to the thread Risk Aversion / Risk Management / Risk Avoidance / Risk Assessment in Epicurean Philosophy.Post[…]
Cassius
You are right that “risk” and the related “risk assessment”, “risk management”, “risk avoidance” are complex topics that affect many aspects of Epicurean philosophy. In Haris Dimitriadis book, “Epicurus and the Pleasant Life”, he discusses… -
Cassius
August 25, 2026 at 9:44 AM Replied to the thread Updates To Home Page - New "Featured Articles" and "Featured Podcasts" Sections.PostThe front page also now contains a list of the "Featured Podcasts" which focus on the core doctrines of Epicurus. This doesn't constitute a "Best Episodes" list, but it provides direct links to the podcasts we have done on the core aspect of Epicurean… -
Cassius
ThreadAugust 24, 2026 at 9:27 PM Today we've updated the home page to make it a lot easier to find the most important articles that we've posted over the years. Until today these were scattered over a wide variety of article and blog pages which made them very difficult to find. I've… -
Kalosyni
August 24, 2026 at 8:13 PM Replied to the thread Aristotle on Friendship (Article).PostThe differences are explained by Diogenes the Oinoandian on his wall inscription, (fragment 32)
"If, gentlemen, the point at issue between these people and us involved inquiry into «what is the means of happiness?» and they wanted to say «the virtues»… -
Patrikios
August 24, 2026 at 4:36 PM Replied to the thread Aristotle on Friendship (Article).Post -
Kalosyni
August 24, 2026 at 12:22 PM Posted the thread Joy through Engaging in Hobbies.ThreadHere are some articles about pleasure and well-being when engaing in hobbies:
https://time.com/article/2026/0…atisfying-life/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-pra…e-perfect-hobby
And here is a list for evaluating usefulness and pleasure:
Evaluating… -
Kalosyni
August 23, 2026 at 3:47 PM Replied to the thread Risk Aversion / Risk Management / Risk Avoidance / Risk Assessment in Epicurean Philosophy.Post[…]
The accessment of the likelihood of obtaining a specific good result is different than the likelihood of an accessment of something really bad resulting as a consequence.
There are certain activities that have a higher likelihood of resulting in bad… -
Kalosyni
August 23, 2026 at 3:32 PM Replied to the thread The Joys of Experiencing Novelty.PostPatrikios that particular article seems to be saying that some people have a hard time finishing projects because they "lose interest" but actually they are experiencing a diminished sense of novelty. And the solution to this problem is to re-direct… -
Kalosyni
August 23, 2026 at 3:28 PM Posted the thread Aristotle on Friendship (Article).ThreadIt looks like there is some overlap between Epicurus and Aristotle. As far as the third category (of Aristotle), that is addressed by Epicurus in Letter to Menoeceus which recommends to practice together with others.
The following article covers… -
Patrikios
August 23, 2026 at 11:38 AM Replied to the thread The Joys of Experiencing Novelty.Post[…]
Kalosyni ,
Thanks for the interesting articles. I liked the “Neuroscience of Novelty”.
What I understand is that Epicureanism values a pleasant life prudently seeking pleasures, but our brain’s dopamine system naturally craves prediction error.… -
Cassius
ThreadAugust 23, 2026 at 8:23 AM This is to start a thread on "Risk" and how it relates to the way people choose between actions depending on the pleasures and pains they expect to result from those choices. Obviously in Epicurean philosophy there is no Fate nor is there 100% necessity… -
Cassius
PostAugust 22, 2026 at 10:53 AM -
Cassius
August 22, 2026 at 8:51 AM Posted the thread Episode 348 - EATAQ30 - Not Yet Recorded.ThreadWelcome to Episode 348 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
PostAugust 21, 2026 at 9:23 AM Lucretius Today Podcast Episode 347 is now available: "If You Think True And False Are Impossible To Find, Then Don't Talk To Me About True And False”
Complete transcript is here:
[media]https://www.spreaker.com/episode/74457876/media -
Kalosyni
August 20, 2026 at 9:03 PM Posted the thread John Dryden translation of Lucretius.ThreadHere is a link to John Dryden's translation, though it only has a few sections. (He may not have translated the entire Lucretius text, or perhaps there isn't a full translation online).
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/54361/54…-h.htm#Page_311
Wikipedia… -
Cassius
August 20, 2026 at 10:56 AM Replied to the thread The Joys of Experiencing Novelty.PostI haven't had time to look at the links but I think this is a good direction. I don't think the statement that's often repeated to the effect that after all pain is eliminated pleasure is not increased but merely varied is intended to be a slam on… -
Kalosyni
August 20, 2026 at 8:54 AM Posted the thread The Joys of Experiencing Novelty.ThreadLately I've been thinking about how modern life ramps ups the novelty seeking drive. From a young age, our brains have been wired by complexities just like rats in cage with lots of toys and tunnels to run through. On one end of the spectrum boredom (and… -
Kalosyni
August 20, 2026 at 7:55 AM Posted the thread Happy Twentieth of August 2026.Thread
Happy Twentieth Everyone!
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Cassius
August 20, 2026 at 5:08 AM Replied to the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.Post[…]
In addition to what Kalosyni said, Patrikios do you recall specifics from this paper or have a link to it so we can pull specific points and consider them? -
Kalosyni
August 19, 2026 at 8:14 PM Replied to the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.Post[…]
Patrikios Within Epicurean philosophy there is the removal of fears of gods and death, and removing anxiety regarding what to choose and what to avoid which is steering toward choosing for desired results, ...etc. ---> From Epicurus' PD's, VS's,… -
Martin
August 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM Replied to the thread Welcome SpectralOP.PostWelcome SpectralOP! -
SpectralOP
August 19, 2026 at 4:01 PM Replied to the thread Welcome SpectralOP.PostThank you, Cassius! Happy to join the forum -
Cassius
August 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM Replied to the thread Welcome SpectralOP.PostSpectralOP tells us:
1. I agree to the Community Standards, Rules, and Terms of Use of the Forum.
2. I have been interested in Epicurus since reading about him in Bertrand
Russell's History of Western Philosophy as a teenager. I am an admirer of
his… -
Cassius
August 19, 2026 at 2:57 PM Posted the thread Welcome SpectralOP.ThreadThank you for your interest in an account at EpicureanFriends.com. Please read the following to proceed with your registration.
… -
Patrikios
August 19, 2026 at 2:36 PM Replied to the thread Complexity, Contradictions, and "Testing Out" Epicurean Philosophy.Post[…]
DaveT Thanks for providing this insight into your perspective when you review and reply to posts and comments on various documents. I do find it helpful to gain background. Due to my innate curiosity and GaTech training as an engineer, I too have… -
Patrikios
August 17, 2026 at 5:40 PM Replied to the thread Overview of Epicurean Philosophy - Quick Visual.Post[…]
Kalosyni ,
Thanks for this nice introductory 3-point image. I like how you simplify each step. From my perspective of attempting to introduce the Epicurean philosophy to younger people, I would rearrange and show your #2 (II.) as the first (I.)… -
Kalosyni
August 17, 2026 at 11:11 AM Posted the thread Understanding Earthquakes.ThreadJust in case you were wondering if there has been an increase in earthquakes lately, this has very good explanations, from a modern understanding of earthquakes.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/17…now-than-before
(The Letter to Pythocles, section 105… -
Cassius
ThreadAugust 14, 2026 at 6:49 PM Welcome to Episode 347 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
PostAugust 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM It is clear to me that the topic of this thread is a continuing issue that needs regular discussion. Here's the original quote from Bentham in which he compares music and poetry to push-pin. He never says that they are objectively of equal value, he is… -
Matteng
August 14, 2026 at 4:35 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.Post[…]
Cassius thank you, your post improves my understanding.
Ok, yes seeing the cup as the whole life makes more sense.
"more reason for joy than for vexation - having a positive balance of pleasures over pains"
I first thought: oh that is an opposite… -
Cassius
August 14, 2026 at 8:50 AM Replied to the thread Episode 346 - EATAQ28 - Epicurean Defense Of The Senses Against Plato's Cave Analogy.PostLucretius Today Podcast Episode 346 is now available: "Epicurean Defense of The Senses Against Plato's Cave Analogy" -
Complete transcript is here:
https://epicurustoday.com/00-lucretiusto…st/episode_346/
… -
Cassius
August 14, 2026 at 8:44 AM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostYou are asking great questions Matteng and each of them require detailed response. This is quick start:
[…]
No, nothing requires you to get the most pleasure you can out of life. Nature allows you free will and you can sit in a cave and eat bread and water… -
Matteng
August 14, 2026 at 8:10 AM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostPacatus Nice comparison, see it the same. Life as obvious basis than health and the peak Eudaimonia.
Is it needed that the Cup „must“ be full ? I think we not only fill the cup with Pleasure but also and that can be an important point: adjust the… -
Pacatus
August 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.Post[…]
What if we reframed Maslow’s “needs” (re the chart below) as Epicurean desires? Which might fall under the category of (1) "natural and necessary,” which (if any) under (2) “natural but not necessary,” and which (if any) under (3)… -
Kalosyni
August 13, 2026 at 7:54 AM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostWe had a very good discussion in last night's Zoom on this topic - "completeness of pleasure". It would be great if Bryan Martin Godfrey kochiekoch Cassius could add important comments that were said during last night, to this thread.… -
Robert
August 12, 2026 at 9:59 PM Replied to the thread Desires necessary for Happiness..Post[…]
Thanks, Matteng . I appreciate your perspective on this. Perhaps it's also worth taking into account the political environment of his time.
This is a bit tangential, but my understanding is that, for several centuries after the fall of Mycenae,… -
Matteng
August 12, 2026 at 1:43 PM Replied to the thread Desires necessary for Happiness..PostEpicurus is frequently criticized because he allegedly advised against political engagement.
But he teached against unnecessary desires like fame not to engage for better circumstances.
Epicureans engage in politics when necessary. Why should one engage… -
Kalosyni
August 12, 2026 at 11:24 AM Replied to the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.PostOkay, thanks for letting me know. That is something I want to continue to work on. Cassius' self-paced guide linked above may be much more in depth and covering all aspects, so hope that is of interest. -
Cassius
August 11, 2026 at 11:23 PM Replied to the thread Theme Updates For the Website.PostThanks again for the comment Patrikios. I think now the other colors are updated so that those major boxes are now matching the respective theme colors. Would not have picked that up without your comment. -
Cassius
August 11, 2026 at 11:21 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostA related question on the issue of fullness-as-a-bucket-list (which I am rejecting) would be:
- How many years must a person live to have lived a "full life"? If Epicurus had died at 25, which for the sake of argument had allowed him to get his school… -
Cassius
August 11, 2026 at 10:52 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostIn fact as another thought in the same direction I would pose the following questions to anyone - whether or not they have read the first word of the Arenson book.
Probably the most famous reference to the term "fullness of pleasure" comes from the… -
EpicuriousDavid
August 11, 2026 at 10:46 PM Replied to the thread Welcome EpicuriousDavid!.Post'Onlune class epicurus' is what i typed into google. I don't exactly remember which page I was directed to at the time, currently this is the top result:
Self-Paced Course - Introduction to the Philosophy of Epicurus -
Cassius
August 11, 2026 at 10:43 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostThanks for this reply Matteng because when I see your reaction I see that there is more I need to say -
[…]
I read the way you are applying fullness and I think I can see exactly why you are thinking in that direction.
But I don't think that's the direction… -
Cassius
August 11, 2026 at 10:23 PM Replied to the thread Theme Updates For the Website.PostI see what I failed to do on Inspire Green. I think I've fixed that now, and I will fix the other Inspire colors too. Unfortunately the Lucrretius Today box probably stays blue, but the rest of it should work well -
Godfrey
August 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.Post[…]
Absolutely! -
Matteng
August 11, 2026 at 5:28 PM Replied to the thread The Completeness (or Fullness) of Pleasure.PostFullnes of Pleasure makes sense for me. It is not about avoiding all pain but to fullfill necessary bodily and mental desires. An unfullfilled necessary desire is a pain.
Only problem could be vulnerability ?
The vessel doesn‘t stay full, would a small… -
Patrikios
August 11, 2026 at 5:24 PM Replied to the thread Theme Updates For the Website.PostI tried the Inspire Green, which is easier on my eyes on my iPad. However the heading box for LT podcast didn’t show.
Overall, I like the clean header feel. Good job 👍
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