Epicurus was political insofar as he saw that it was in the best interest of society that people carry out agreements that promote fellowship and common sense cooperation. This implied a contractual form of government. But Epicurus and his followers disapproved of advocacy for social change. They saw political struggle as creating unnecessary stress, and …
Websites about Epicureanism seem to proliferate, most of them saying the same things, with little new. The problem with Epicureanism in particular is that so many of the ancient writings were either lost or were deliberately destroyed by early Christians, but this does not deter people from regurgitating the fragments left ad nauseam. But to …
“If you don’t stick to your values when they’re being tested, they’re not values: they’re hobbies”. Jon Stewart, quoted in the Cape Cod Times
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? George Eliot, quoted in The Times
With every politely respectful human interaction that withers away, a part of our community, our communality, dies. Not responding to a text message or an email is not clever; it’s rude. Not thanking an aunt or a grandparent for a birthday or Christmas present offends the giver. Walking at an old lady and forcing her …
It is unintelligent to devote yourself to consumerism, to strive for fancy apartments and clothes and expensive vacations. We don’t need them. The pleasure we derive from them is momentary. What we need is adequate and healthy food and drink, protection, safety and shelter, solitude, friendship, and boundaries – just simple needs.
Not all the activities of religion are harmful, e.g raising money for charity, Sunday schools and teaching children consideration and love. If the Sermon on the Mount were the sum of Christianity no one could argue. It is fear of death, indeed, everything to do with fear and support of the establishment, that is dangerous. …
Epicureans believe in respect for your fellow human beings, generosity, friendship, treating others as you wish to be treated yourself, rationality based on science, politeness, care of people less able to look after themselves than you are, and exercising a sense of humour. Epicureanism stands for moderation in everything, rejection of fear-mongering styles of religion, …
“Faith is something that makes a virtue of not thinking for yourself”
Research by Matt Killingsworth of Harvard indicates that we are happiest when we are not actively seeking happiness but are wrapt in the moment. Happiness is a mode of being, not a mode of seeking. The moment we say we are happy we are distancing and isolating ourselves from the experience by the very act …
A pleasant life can only be lived if we train our minds daily to relish and enjoy what is there, however prosaic it might be. An Epicurean must discover the pleasures of laughter, walking, eating simple food, the pleasure of friends, instead to mindlessly going through the motions. Let us live while we are alive! …
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, …
Continue reading ‘A explanation of this blog: what is its point?’ »
Epicurus was very concerned about telling the truth, but telling it with tact and kindness. He thought philosophers used rhetoric to conceal the truth. Ancient Epicureans prided themselves on politely pointing out errors or misconceptions to offer Epicureans, something that requires huge trust and respect. There is a right way to criticize and a wrong …
With my apology for its length, over which I have no control, below is the official manifesto of the American Humanist Society. You can immediately see that Humanism owes a lot to Epicurus, who, by some, is regarded as the founder of the humanistic movement. Humanism and its Aspirations Humanism is a progressive philosophy of …
The greatest objective in life is happiness, peace of mind and tranquility (ataraxia in Greek), along with freedom from fear and anxiety.
