Returning to a topic raised in 2008, I am setting out below some things one can do to possibly make the world a better place in 2013:
1. Make time to protest more to elected representatives (if you have one! In DC we are not allowed a vote. So much for “democracy”) . Start with the right-wing media monopolies. Why should Murdoch escape unscathed in the U.S from the shocking Press scandals in the UK? Bribery and corruption were illegal in the US the last time I looked. While on this subject, protest about ALEC and its cynical corruption of democracy.
2. Don’t accept rudeness and bad service. Complain.
3. Fight back against the climate change deniers.
4. Support Kiva ( kiva.com). Lend small amounts to people overseas ho are trying to help themselves
8. Yes, go into the garden and grow vegetables
9. Support family planning and women’s education in developing countries
There are so many ills in the society it is hard to prioritize. Any other ideas?
Are there any posts on this blog about Epicurus’ attitide toward voluntary participation in the ordinary tasks of citizenship in a democracy, as opposed to pursuit of high office or “kingship”?
Do you know of anything in ancient texts that might throw light on the matter?
Do you suppose Voltaire had it right in Candide? “Cultivate your own garden”?
I am not sure how much detail one could find about Epicurus’ attitude toward political participation, but his main concern was to attain “ataraxia”, or peace of mind. It would be difficult for anyone with high office and heavy responsibilities to maintain peace of mind but perhaps one could do so with “voluntary participation in the ordinary tasks of citizenship in a democracy.” If so, perhaps Epicurus would not have counseled against it. On the other hand, if he thought most people would find it difficult to resist getting deeply involved in politics, maybe he would still counsel against….
The extant documents of Epicurus are rather fragmentary, but the following is the English translation of the quotations of Epicurus:
“The most perfect means of securing safety from men, which arises , to some extent, from a certain power to expel, is the assurance that comes from quietude and withdrawal from the world.”
In other words, if you want total peace and quiet keep yourself to yourself, and if necessary throw disagreeable people out of the house!
And this suggests that you should avoid public service.
However, the objective of this blog is to take what we do know and humbly speculate on what Epicurus might have made of modern issues. This might be seen as presumptuous, but the times now are so totally different to his that Epicureanism won’t be harmed by a bit of interpretation.
My guess is that Epicurus would be pragmatic (he was smart, disliked extremism, and knew that human beings were all different). He might say, “If your public service gives you pleasure and isn’t stressful, go ahead – we need people like you. On the other hand, if you intend to stand for election to the United States Congress, forget it.) (this is a joke – sort of!) .
From D’Appolonia:
One more mini-micro idea: compliment people who actually DO their jobs, letters to their bosses etc.