#epicurean.

[mad3lyncline]

𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑰𝑨 𝑫𝑼𝑵𝑵𝑬 .

[notbecauseofvictories]

A number of years ago, I was sitting at the kitchen table with my parents. (I think it was lunch? lunch-ish? but I can't really remember.) Anyway, my father kept insisting that if you have hobbies, you should hustle and turn it into a blog, a podcast---something that would use that expertise, and share it with others. But my mother pushed back; she insisted that doing something is an end in itself. You can just read a book. You can think about what you read, turning it over in your head. Maybe talk about it with your local book club! But you don't need to start a LIT CHICKS podcast and read books every month and offer Blue Apron discount codes during commercial breaks, etc. etc.

You can just read the book.

I find myself thinking about that exchange a lot. I can just take a butterfly pinning class, or a foraging class, or a historical walking tour, and that's enough. The world is for doing things in, learning and meeting and seeing---you do not have to turn that into shareable content or a life's passion to give it worth.

[clodiuspulcher]

i also know for a fact that the facts and logic guys reading marcus aurelius aren’t actually reading lucretius or even latin prose like seneca’s moral letters bc i was always having knock down drag out fights with ppl in my class over roman conceptions of slavery / slaves (seneca having a relatively Woke opinion that slaves are just unlucky people, i was the only one to bring this up) and i know jordan peterson et al would be shitting their pants if they read lucretius talking about how religion is a destructive tool of social control

[outlying-hyppocrate]

hurray for sadism!! hurray for masochism!! hurray for schadenfreude!!

[torturingpeople]

trying to pull myself out of artblock i drew @capn-twitchery's twitch. this was meant to be a silly doodle. then i thought of giving them a rapier and it was no longer a silly doodle

(do they use a rapier? i hope so because that handle gave me grief to draw. plus the rapier looks cool)

[chicago-geniza]

Had two beers, half an edible, ate a burger and some cheese curds, rode the bus, listened to music, listened to my audiobook, went for a long walk at dusk...truly this is The Good Life

[enlitment]

I genuinely think that society would improve if we managed to somehow replace all of the 'Stoicism Daily: Repress All Your Feelings in 5 Easy Steps' type podcasts with someone reading passages from Epicurus or du Châtelet's Discourse on Happiness

[jtl-fics]

I have done nothing but listen to Steve1989MREInfo for the last two days and now I just can’t get the thought of Neil and Kevin making a Youtube channel about MREs.

Kevin talks all about the history, what went into the decisions on what was included in the MRE, how some MREs were specialized for the climate of where combatants were, food supply chains during the war, preparation methods used during the period, soldier testimonies about particular MREs, and just in general a very thorough and maybe a little boring (if you’re not into that shit but I AM) history lesson.

Then it cuts to Neil’s part which is just him testing his iron stomach and talking about how it tastes.

These recordings need to be supervised after Neil came down with a bad case of food poisoning and now the channel sometimes includes Andrew, Aaron, or Nicky slapping food out of Neil’s hand because it is definitely FULL of botulism.

Most people come for the threat of watching one of Exy’s darlings get botulism if their friends aren’t fast enough and stay for the surprising amount of history surrounding MREs and other military rations throughout the ages.

They also stay to hear Andrew Minyard rip two of Exy’s darlings a new asshole once in a while.

[fluentisonus]

every so often I run into the word epicurean in its modern hedonistic sense unconnected to the ancient philosophical school & it's always so crazy. girl [the word epicurean] what did they do to you

[mad3lyncline]

𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬 𝑴𝑪𝑹𝑨𝑬 . Via Tiktok ( x ) .

[philosophors]

// Art: “Partenkirchen in Bavaria at Sunrise” by Carl Millner

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

— Epicurus, “Letters”

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus#Epicurean_paradox

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then from whence comes evil?"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodicy#Reasons_for_theodicy

Theodicies are developed to answer the question of why a good God permits the manifestation of evil, thus resolving the issue of the problem of evil.

In science, when an idea is falsified, it's either thrown out, or withdrawn and revised. In theology, you invent an entire bogus domain to pretend it's still true. Theodicy is that domain. The entire reason it exists at all is because the Problem of Evil shows the god claim doesn't work, but they won't admit it.

Isaiah 45:7

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Happiness

The philosophy of happiness explores the nature, sources, and significance of happiness in human life. It examines what constitutes true happiness, how it can be achieved, and its role in ethical and meaningful living. Philosophers have approached happiness from various perspectives, including ethical, psychological, and existential viewpoints, leading to diverse understandings of what it means to live a happy life.

Key Themes in the Philosophy of Happiness:

Definitions and Concepts of Happiness:

Eudaimonia (Flourishing): In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle, happiness is often equated with "eudaimonia," which is best translated as flourishing or well-being. Eudaimonia is achieved through living virtuously and fulfilling one's potential, rather than through the pursuit of pleasure alone.

Hedonism: Hedonism defines happiness as the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This view, associated with philosophers like Epicurus, suggests that a happy life is one in which pleasure is maximized and suffering minimized. However, Epicurus emphasized simple pleasures and the avoidance of excess.

Ethical Theories and Happiness:

Utilitarianism: Utilitarian philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill argue that the right action is the one that maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people. In this context, happiness is often understood as the presence of pleasure and the absence of pain.

Virtue Ethics: Aristotle’s virtue ethics posits that happiness is achieved by living a life of virtue. Virtuous actions, in accordance with reason, lead to a state of eudaimonia, where individuals live in harmony with their true nature and purpose.

Deontological Ethics: While not focused solely on happiness, deontological ethics, as developed by Immanuel Kant, suggests that true happiness comes from fulfilling one’s moral duties. Kant argues that happiness is not the primary goal of moral action, but living morally can lead to a form of happiness tied to a sense of duty and integrity.

Happiness and the Good Life:

The Role of Reason: In many philosophical traditions, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle, happiness is linked to the exercise of reason. A life guided by rational thought and the pursuit of wisdom is seen as the highest form of happiness.

The Balance of Pleasure and Virtue: Philosophers like Aristotle and the Stoics argue that happiness is not merely about pleasure but involves a balance of pleasure with virtue. Happiness is seen as a byproduct of living a virtuous life, rather than an end in itself.

Subjective and Objective Views of Happiness:

Subjective Well-Being: Modern discussions of happiness often focus on subjective well-being, which is the individual's self-assessment of their life satisfaction and emotional state. This perspective emphasizes personal experience and the psychological aspects of happiness.

Objective Well-Being: In contrast, some philosophers argue that happiness should be understood in objective terms, based on factors like health, relationships, and personal achievements. From this view, happiness is not just about how one feels but also about living a life that meets certain standards of well-being.

Happiness in Different Philosophical Traditions:

Stoicism: Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius argue that happiness comes from accepting the things we cannot change and living in accordance with nature. Happiness, in this view, is achieved through self-discipline, rationality, and emotional resilience.

Epicureanism: Epicurus taught that happiness is found in simple pleasures, friendship, and the absence of pain (ataraxia). He distinguished between necessary and unnecessary desires, advocating for a minimalist lifestyle that avoids unnecessary suffering.

Buddhism: In Buddhist philosophy, happiness is understood as a state of inner peace and enlightenment, achieved by overcoming desire and attachment. The Four Noble Truths outline the path to end suffering, which is seen as the key to true happiness.

Existential Perspectives on Happiness:

Sartre and Existential Freedom: Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre argue that happiness is not a predefined state but something that individuals must create for themselves through their choices. Happiness is linked to the authentic exercise of freedom and the responsibility to define one’s own existence.

Camus and the Absurd: Albert Camus, another existentialist, explores the idea that life is inherently absurd and that the search for meaning or happiness can seem futile. However, he argues that one can still find happiness in embracing the absurd and living fully in the face of it.

The Pursuit of Happiness in Modern Thought:

Positive Psychology: In contemporary philosophy and psychology, the study of happiness has expanded with the development of positive psychology. This field focuses on understanding and fostering the factors that contribute to human flourishing, such as positive emotions, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments.

Happiness and Society: Modern philosophers and social theorists explore the relationship between happiness and social conditions, including wealth, inequality, and political systems. Debates continue on how society can be organized to promote the well-being and happiness of its members.

Critiques and Challenges:

Hedonic Treadmill: One critique of the pursuit of happiness is the "hedonic treadmill" effect, where people quickly return to a baseline level of happiness despite changes in their circumstances. This challenges the idea that lasting happiness can be achieved through external factors alone.

The Paradox of Happiness: Some philosophers and psychologists argue that the direct pursuit of happiness can be self-defeating. Focusing too much on becoming happy may lead to anxiety or disappointment, while happiness often arises as a byproduct of other activities, such as meaningful work or relationships.

The philosophy of happiness offers a rich and varied exploration of what it means to live well. It challenges individuals to consider the sources of true happiness, the role of virtue and reason in the good life, and the balance between personal pleasure and ethical living. Whether seen as a subjective state, an objective condition, or a byproduct of living authentically, happiness remains a central concern in philosophical inquiry, reflecting the enduring human quest for fulfillment and well-being.

[buggbuzz]

hey guys taking an ancient western history class. please tell me the greek philosophy fandom has already agreed that epicurus would've LOVED weed.

[torturingpeople]

@capn-twitchery twitch and edison are really good friends guys i swear

[lost-carcosa]

Sheldon Comics: Tune in next time when The Riddler works on the trolley problem