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Don
December 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM Replied to the thread Merry Christmas 2025!.PostMerry Christmas to all!
As Epicurus took an active role in the civic and religious festivals and rites of his day, we too can participate in our time's civic and religious festivals with a fresh Epicurean perspective.
May Christmas/Yule/Solstice give us an… -
Kalosyni
December 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
Somehow, I think that I have developed what is called a "sweet tooth", and which I notice that the more "goodies" that I eat the more that I crave. (I've bought/made a certain amount of Christmas goodies this year, perhaps a bit too many).
When I clean… -
Kalosyni
December 25, 2025 at 9:40 AM Posted the thread Merry Christmas 2025!.Thread
Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas!
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DaveT
December 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
One of the great attractions of Epicurus’ teaching for me is that it seems so grounded in common sense. He clearly was not an ascetic, denying himself even simple pleasures, even acknowledging the “pleasure” of enjoying unnecessary pleasures. Of… -
Don
December 25, 2025 at 8:05 AM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..PostAlthough not directly related to the topic at hand, I found this excellent summary of Dr. Austin's perspective on Epicurus' philosophy in an article I didn't remember her writing:
https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-…ke-an-epicurean
This forum and the podcast… -
Julia
December 25, 2025 at 1:37 AM Commented on the image The Gift of Summer.Comment (Image/Video)From Stallings' rhyming translation:
"Just as now cicadas in the summertime divest
Themselves of their shiny coats, and go out in the world in quest
Of life and livelihood. […]" -
Kalosyni
December 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..PostI think it is important here in this forum to speak up when seeing articles written which say or imply that "Epicurus said to do XYZ" when there isn't speciic textual evidence. -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Well I and others are hoping your editorial output will continue in 2026 so that you will find many more opportunities for rewarding moments in the future!
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Don
December 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
LOL it's still weird - but rewarding - to see my work quoted and referred to. I'm glad it continues to be of service. -
Patrikios
December 24, 2025 at 7:20 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Kalosyni , I appreciate you reading and taking time to comment on my post.
While I referenced Hiram Crespo based on his recent series of Eikas messages that made some references to meditation, I have also been studying the topic of meditation (… -
Don
December 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".PostFwiw, here's my translation of that section:
The steady contemplation of these things equips one to know how to decide all choice and rejection for the health of the body and for the tranquility of the mind, that is for our physical and our mental… -
Joshua
December 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
δεόμεθα (δέω) can have the meaning of need, but it can also mean lack, which is more in keeping with Epicurean ethics; when we are not in pain, we no longer lack pleasure because we are already experiencing the fullest possible pleasure (as described… -
Kalosyni
December 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM Replied to the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".Post[…]
I think that this remedy is only for those who need it, and also worth remembering that the letter mentions that it is not the pleasures of the profligates that are being referred to as pleasures.
Also, we can anticipate that the pleasures of eating,… -
Daniel188
December 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Here we have an example of the hidden philosophical assumptions behind meditation practices. Buddhist teachers often refer to the doctrine of anatta, the doctrine of non-self. Therefore, they recommend observing sensations and their transience and… -
Kalosyni
December 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM Posted the thread "But when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure".ThreadSome thoughts on a practical application of the phrase: "...but when we do not feel pain, we no longer need pleasure."
The following is Bailey translation:
[128] "The right understanding of these facts enables us to refer all choice and avoidance to the… -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 4:22 PM Replied to the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.PostVery interesting thread. I don't have much to add at the moment but I want to make a couple of comments:
1 - i seem to remember that there might be some relevant material in Diskin clay's article "Epicurus' Last Will and Testament"
2 - As this thread… -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Yes I agree with your comments Don. And this is is a good example of being careful about the goal of techniques before they are used. Is your goal as to emotions to "let them pass" or "listen to what they are telling you and take appropriate… -
Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM Cassius has added the Entry Torquatus' Defense of Epicurus - From Cicero's On Ends to the lexicon.New (Entry)Cicero's Torquatus presents the most extensive advocacy of Epicurean ethics surviving from the ancient world.
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Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM Cassius has added the Entry The True Nature of Divinity - The Views Of Epicurus As Explained by Velleius to the lexicon.New (Entry)Cicero's presentation of the Epicurean point of view on the true nature of divinity.
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Joshua
December 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM Replied to the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.PostHere is a good start:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_reform_in_Athens
[…]
I'll keep looking for information relating to the 4th century when Epicurus was born. -
Joshua
December 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM Replied to the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.PostI'll try to remember where I first read about land inheritance in ancient Athens so I can give you a source, but it was a few years ago when I worked in land-surveying so it may take time! -
Eikadistes
December 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM Replied to the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.Post[…]
This is fascinating! (And exactly the kind of thing I was looking for). Thank you! -
Joshua
December 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM Replied to the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.PostEpicurus' status was clearly low by birth, and that he was derided for this in antiquity is a matter of record. But that he was born in the colonies is a symptom of his low status rather than the cause of it.
The real problem was wealth. Athens was… -
Don
December 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
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I would offer that one of the aims is this kind of meditation practice is to pay attention to the feelings of your body. I'll admit the Buddhist practice is to notice those feelings then let them pass; however, becoming more attuned to what your… -
Eikadistes
December 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM Uploaded the image Grip of Angry Emotions.Image/Video
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Eikadistes
December 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM Uploaded the image Vatican Saying 14.Image/Video
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Eikadistes
December 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM Uploaded the image Vatican Saying 54.Image/Video
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Eikadistes
December 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM Uploaded the image The Gift of Summer.Image/Video
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Cassius
December 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..PostAlso as to "forgetting" there are obvious common sense aspects to choosing what you focus on. Beyond that, I would consider'. Are there any specific Epicurean texts that suggest practicing forgetfulness? I tend to focus on the specific statement in… -
Eikadistes
December 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM Posted the thread Athenian Political Prejudices.ThreadI was reviewing the Last Will, and something occured to me about (potentially) anti-Epicurean, Athenian prejudices against the Garden. I think there’s a misogynistic assumption laced-in there, and a xenophobic element that reflects property laws, which… -
Daniel188
December 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
This doesn't really seem like a good goal for reflective practices. I've read Hiram's book, and he listed various techniques there, but in my opinion, any meditation techniques focused on calming the body and mind are of limited use.
For example, let's… -
Bryan
December 24, 2025 at 9:30 AM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Certainly so,
[…]
Quote from Hiram
"Taoists have a technology of the self for discarding memories: zuowang (sitting and forgetting). Although some descriptions of this practice sound mystifying..."
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Hiram does a lot of… -
Kalosyni
December 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
A word of caution here, that the writings by Hiram that are referred to in the above post can be characterized as unique interpretations of Epicurean philosophy that: at times incorporate elements and ideas from external sources -- and at times are… -
Patrikios
December 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM Replied to the thread Possible use of the Pythagorean exercise called "evening review" for Epicurean purposes..Post[…]
Daniel188 ,
Welcome, and thanks for your post.
From my reading, Epicurus did teach us a similar meditation practice himself. Meleta is the Epicurean practice of contemplation and philosophical exercise.
In "Choosing to Remember and to Forget," Hiram… -
Cassius
December 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM Wrote the blog article How Is The Wise Epicurean Always Happy?.Blog ArticleThere are as many opinions about happiness as there are people. Everyone has their own idea of what happiness is or should be. Some say that we should look to religion for happiness. Others say that there are no hard and fast rules, so if it feels good
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Patrikios
December 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM Replied to the thread Book: "Theory and Practice in Epicurean Political Philosophy" by Javier Aoiz & Marcelo Boeri.Post[…]
The full 249 pages is available to download here:
https://archive.org/details/theory…and-tranquility -
Kalosyni
December 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM Replied to the thread Fourth Sunday Zoom - December 28, 2025 - Epicurean Philosophy Discussion - Agenda.PostComing up this next Sunday...is Fourth Sunday Zoom, open to forum members!
And a special invitation to our new members: EdGenX D Campbell jcblackmon Daniel188 Creative Air wbernys (and anyone else I may have missed listing).
Well be basing… -
Cassius
December 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM Commented on the video How The Wise Epicurean Is Always Happy?.Comment (Image/Video)The topic was discussed in podcast Episode 307, linked below. The full transcript will be here.
Episode 307 - TD35 - How The Wise Epicurean Is Always Happy -
Kalosyni
December 23, 2025 at 11:38 AM Commented on the video How The Wise Epicurean Is Always Happy?.Comment (Image/Video)Cassius is there a transcript of this video to read? -
Don
December 23, 2025 at 6:59 AM Replied to the thread My personal, cursory interpretation of Epicurus. Please feel free to correct me..Post -
Cassius
PostDecember 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM For those who might be interested in a starting point to research the evolution of the concepts from eudaemonia to felicitas to "happiness," I have asked Claude to summarize the major points and produce a bibliography of references to check. Take this… -
Cassius
PostDecember 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM From this podcast a discussion has developed as to several important aspects of happiness. To make that easier to find in the future I have split off that part of the thread into the Ethics forum where it will reside here:
What Is Happiness? How Does… -
Cassius
December 22, 2025 at 6:18 PM Replied to the thread My personal, cursory interpretation of Epicurus. Please feel free to correct me..PostIn regard to the DeWitt book as you read around the forum you will find varying opinions about it. I don't agree with everything he has to say either, but the reason I recommend it is that he gives a sweeping overview of the full picture, especially as… -
Daniel188
December 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM Replied to the thread My personal, cursory interpretation of Epicurus. Please feel free to correct me..Post[…]
I will try to get this book. Thank you.
[…]
I agree. My perspective is that you can't have ataraxia without pleasure. In his letter to Menoiceus, Epicurus states that there are only two feelings: pain and pleasure. If we eliminate pain, we automatically… -
Cassius
December 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM Replied to the thread My personal, cursory interpretation of Epicurus. Please feel free to correct me..PostWow that is very detailed and well thought out. Thanks for posting. I have just a couple of initial comments on first reading:
1. You appear to me the type of person to whom the DeWitt book would appeal and be very valuable. If you don't have it I… -
Cassius
December 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM Replied to the thread Epicurus Was Not an Atomist (...sort of).PostLot of work there and will take some time to read but thanks for posting! -
Daniel188
ThreadDecember 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM Hello everyone!
I'm writing this post to correct some of my views on Epicureanism. I'll list some of my interpretations here and hope that others will look at them and critique them to point out any errors. I won't claim to have a thorough understanding… -
Eikadistes
December 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM Posted the thread Epicurus Was Not an Atomist (...sort of).Thread
Greetings, all! I published some thoughts about the limitations in our employment of the word "atomism" as an expression of ancient Epicurean particle physics. I'll admit that I might be splitting hairs here, and exploiting a post-structuralist… -
Cassius
PostDecember 22, 2025 at 8:28 AM I'm always stuck in the past with my word associations:
https://www.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/28a7…48-a70269be58db -
Cassius
PostDecember 22, 2025 at 8:19 AM From Lucretius, Bailey translations:…
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