All comments on this blog are made in the context of the Epicurean way of life, that is:
– Everyone should aim for a pleasant life, full of joy and happiness. This has nothing to do with self-interest, greed and gluttony; on the contrary, Epicureans believe in having only what is necessary for health, laughter, friendship and mutual care of others. Moderation is the watchword.
– Where the blog comments upon politics, violence, greed, bullying, and social affairs, it is to modestly try to remind readers that Epicureans are peaceful, tolerant citizens, who think about others, help neighbors and friends, hate warfare, deplore autocracy and the decline of democracy.
– Because Epicurus accepted women and slaves in his Garden, and is believed to have been generous to the poor and sick, Epicureans lean towards a point of view that says that we all inhabit this crowded planet and should endeavor to compromise, empathize and generally try to get along with everyone. However, they also don’t want to waste their lives making overtures to cruel, selfish and hostile people on the make, either.
– Epicureans are natural followers of science, who do not believe in super-naturalism, miracles or afterlives. But – they respect those who believe in these things because they realise that they contribute to pleasant lives and happiness for those who have a spiritual need for them.
– Courtesy and good manners were developed to make life more pleasant. They are not exclusive to educated or middle class people, but come maturally to those who think of, and value, other human beings and desire good relationships with them.
The above doesn’t describe the complete philosophy of Epicurus, which would be too long to summarize. But if you like the drift hang on in here and take part. You are welcome.
Epicureanism has been quoted as the inspiration for Ayn Rand. This lady was a brutalised Russian, regrettably and unaccountably popular, who misinterpreted Epicurus, but appeals to people who have a tendency to think only in terms of their own interests, who dislike government, want all the good things taxation can offer, but don’t want to pay taxes towards it. This libertarian philosophy has its legitimate place in anti- communitarian modern politics, but in my opinion has nothing whatsoever to do with Epicurus.
That Epicureans appreciate science, reject supernaturalism, miracles or afterlives, makes sense, So, too, does Epicureans’ respect of those views as long as they produce human happiness.
This so-called “spiritual need” for “super-naturalism, miracles or afterlives” could as helpfully be called “intellectual need:” a universal human need for explanations of the human condition in all its complexities. The human quest is for understanding why the world and our lives develop as they do. That people have produced wildly different answers to these quests isn’t surprising.