Touching on ancient Epicureanism

In answer to a reader who, some while ago, sought a feel for daily life among the ancient Epicureans: There are so. any aspects of life about which we are ignorant. But we *do* know that Epicureans did not pool their assets all together, in any communal fashion, as other philosophical groups actually *did*; the …

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Epicureanism in shorthand (sort of)

Epicureanism was never meant to be a dry academic philosophy. In fact, it is best kept away from academia, where, as usual with philosophy, long words render it dull, if not incomprehensible. Rather, it is a vital way of living which seeks to free men and women from a life of unhappiness, fear and anxiety. …

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Sharks in unlikely places

Sharks are living in the River Thames,in England, according to findings from the waterway’s first “health check” since it was condemned as “biologically dead” 64 years ago. The Greater Thames Shark Project, run by the Zoological Society of London, found that shark species including tope, starry smooth hound and spurdog live in the Thames. There …

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Love very much comes within the purview of Epicureanism

Love Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediment; love is not love which alters when it alteration finds Or bends with the remover to remove. Oh, no. It is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken. It is the star to every wandering bark Whose worth’s unknown, …

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Three brave profs

The University of Florida is barring three professors from providing expert testimony in a lawsuit concerning a new state law that restricts voting rights, The Associated Press reports. The university said in a statement that testimony by professors Dan Smith, Michael McDonald, and Sharon Austin as paid experts for the plaintiffs would be “adverse to …

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How did Epicureanism work day by day?

Epicureans did not pool their assets in any communal fashion, as other philosophical groups actually did; the argument was that such a practice would either indicate or, worse yet, foster mutual suspicion. It is hard to define such terms as “job” in the context of the ancient world; “Old Money”, Athenian patricians –men only, of …

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More on ataraxia

The British philosopher and author Prof AC Grayling comments that “Passion suggests something active to us,” he says. “But if you look at the etymology of the term, it’s passive – it’s something that happens to you – like love or anger or lust – that was visited on you by the gods. Unlike passion, …

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“Read Epicurus” – a poem

They peddle fear here. They peddle fear of terrorists and sudden death They peddle fear of rapists and angry drivers They peddle fear of government and paying tax Of deer ticks, butter, sugar, fat, untested drugs; Of unknown visitors and dark-skinned men, Of invasion, war and sudden death, Of gunmen holding up cashiers, Of bombs …

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Basics of Epicureanism. ( Periodic re- stating of the principles)

Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based on the teachings of Epicurus, founded around 307 B.C. It teaches that the greatest good is to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquillity, freedom from fear (“ataraxia”) and absence from bodily pain (“aponia”). This combination of states is held to constitute happiness in …

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Epicureanism – the main beliefs

From time to time I post a short list of the main teachings of Epicurus 1. Overall End or “Summum Bonum” or “Reason for Living”: Happiness or Pleasure. Happiness is peace of mind and body. It is tranquillity or undisturbedness (ataraxia), the quiet of a mind free from fear (or anxiety) and a body content …

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Racism and religion

Studies have shown that attending church frequently does not make white christians less racist. In fact, the data suggests that the opposite is true. The connection between holding more racist views and white christian identity is actually stronger among white evangelicals who attend church frequently than it is among those who attend less frequently. My …

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