Creating a "Seven Steps to the Ethics of Epicurus"

You seem to have most of the core concepts well in hand; what about adding this to number 7? "The honor paid to the wise is a great good for those who honor them."

I like the idea of "7 Steps" not for any mystical/metaphysical reason! because:

it's the number of days in a week

it's a manageable number to get one's head around

Even with the "7 days" analogy, it's like the "24 hours to..." book where "24 hours" wasn't one day, it was literally 24 hours as in 1 hour/day for 24 days and you can get through the book and its exercises.

I like the idea that this is "Seven Steps to the **Ethics** of Epicurus" because that's what lots of people are coming looking for.

Here are some specific thoughts from me from the current list.

1 is doing a LOT of heavy lifting, but I agree there has to be some Physics to serve as the Foundation (or should I say Phoundation, pun-spelling intended: Physics are the Phoundation; Physics are the Foundation of the Ethics). I wouldn't necessarily include the gods in the physics though.

I like 8 as emphasizing the need to study the natural world/science. Using Epicurus' quote of [DL 10.37] "Hence, since such a course is of service to all who take up natural science, I, who devote to the subject my continuous energy and reap the calm enjoyment of a life like this, have prepared for you just such an epitome and manual of the doctrines as a whole."

So, in your current list, I'd definitely agree with or augment/edit the following:

1 Yes! Definitely include some physics/fundamentals as the foundation for the ethics

2 Yes! Get Pleasure in there early and often

3 Yes! Choice and avoidance with the aid of practical wisdom, justice, "virtue" is the fundamental practice of an Epicurean life

4 Yes! Friendship - mutual support, etc. - are foundational

5 Not sure about this one, so I'd have to see more to know. Are 5 and 6 combinable? Are Safety and Justice two aspects of Justice writ large: The agreement neither to intentionally harm others nor to be intentionally harmed by others?

6 See 5

7 A right understanding of the gods has to be in there somewhere, same as a right understanding of death

8 see above for why I'd like to see the list kept to 7, but also why I think 8's sentiment has to be somewhere. Maybe within 1's foundation of physics. It's not enough to have that foundation but you also have to study and understand it and apply it.

Since the letter to Menoikeus is our primary summary of Epicurean ethics, it can be broken down into the following points:

1. A correct view of the gods

2. A correct view of death

3. A correct understanding of desires and the goal of a happy life: Pleasure is the foundation and culmination of well-being.

4. How to choose between pleasure and pain and how to be "self-reliant."

5. Knowing the value of practical wisdom/phronesis, justice, and excellence

6. Knowing the place of Fate and chance in one's life

7. The value of studying with "those like yourself" (ὅμοιον σεαυτῷ)

According to Epicurus in his letter, who is better than someone who:

- holds pious opinions about the gods,

- is always fearless in the face of death

- has reasoned out the natural goal of life

- has understood that the limit of good things is easy to fulfill and easy to achieve, whereas the limit of bad things is either short-lived or causes little pain

- laughs at destiny and considers it better to be rationally unfortunate than irrationally fortunate

BUT this letter leaves out some significant topics, like friendship, so where' back to looking at other lists and texts.

First thoughts from me.

In looking at the PDs for some ideas, I took a clue from Cyril Bailey's summary of the PDs. He categorized them as:

1-4: The tetrapharmakos, the four-fold fundamental principles necessary for a tranquil life

5: The relation of pleasure to virtue

6, 7: Protection from external disturbances

8-10: The selection of pleasures

11-13: The ethical value of physical science

14-21: The wise man’s life in relation to nature, his fellow men, and to true pleasure (can be sub-divided)

22-26: The tests and standards of moral (i.e., truly pleasant) action

27, 28: Friendship

29, 30: The classification of desires

31-38: Justice and injustice

39, 40: The wise man’s life in the Epicurean community

Now there are many things about which I don't agree with Bailey, but this list is helpful as a starting point.

PD01 and PD02 are the ubiquitous correct understanding of the gods and death.

PD05 gives the standard formula about living pleasurably entails living virtuously/ethically, and vice versa.

PD08 to PD10 talks about making the correct choices and rejections, the core of Epicurean day to day (moment to moment) practice. The practice seems to me to be brought up again in PD20 through PD26. Those are sections I need to investigate in my unending quest to re-compose Principle Doctrines as a text. PD29 (necessary, unnecessary desires, etc.) and PD30 are an important "how to do it" text as well.

PD11 to PD13 talk about the necessity of understanding "how things work" when it comes to allaying fears and superstitions about "astronomical phenomena and death and suffering," "myths," and "what is above and below the earth and in general about the infinite unknown." This conveys the importance of studying natural science and to understand how the physical, material universe works.

PD14 and PD15 talks about the fact that unlimited wealth isn't necessary to pursue a pleasurable life. Sufficient wealth is "limited and easy to acquire."

PD17 is a good reminder: "One who acts aright (δίκαιος) is utterly steady and serene (ἀταρακτότατος), whereas one who goes astray is full of trouble and confusion."

PD27 is our friendship one!

The Justice PDs are important from an ethical standpoint in that they say how people should treat each other, especially PD31 "Natural justice is a covenant for mutual benefit, to not harm one another or be harmed."

PD39 and 40 are not straightforward when trying to translate, but are potentially helpful.

Few things that crossed my mind:

1. The concept of free will is a crucial part of Epicurean Ethics. Swerving atoms and the consequence of this phenomenon should be included in the steps.

2. Maybe it would be beneficial to name the concepts where applicable when describing ethical ideas (things like: atomism, hedonism, hedonistic calculus, egoism etc.)

3. I agree with Don that points 5 & 6 are closely linked together.

Quote from Kalosyni

And perhaps for modern day Epicureans this would also include studying climate change so as to understand the rate in which climate is changing (for the sake of understanding safety).

4. I'd personally drop the idea of mentioning climate change in the steps because:

- it has never been a part of Epicurus teachings

- it's politically charged topic which will most likely distract audience from the study of ethics

- the study of climate change is by all means desirable but so is anything else that falls into natural science category

- and lastly, to our knowledge Earth's climate changes permanently and periodically over the course of billions of years so whether we like it or not, we as species are definitely not safe on this planet and sooner or later our home will be home no more (at least for several thousands years until climate changes favourably once again)

[Yes, I'm avoiding the issue of human impact on climate on purpose so please refrain yourself from making emotional comments below and let's all stick to philosophy ;)]

I would agree with TauPhi in general that calling out climate change specifically isn't necessary as this falls under the study of how the universe works and of natural science.

I see where Kalosyni is coming from though about seeing it as a safety and security issue, but I don't think it necessarily needs its own call-out. Not to say it can't come up in discussions!