May 6, 2024 - First Monday Philosophy Discussion - Via Zoom

Hi Everyone, Coming up this next Monday night is our monthly Epicurean Philosophy Discussion!

This meeting is open to all forum members

For those who haven't previously attended and are interested, just let us know here in this thread (and we will get the link to you by private message).

Here is our discussion topic for this next Monday evening, First Monday Zoom meeting:

"What place does ambition have within the practical application of Epicurean philosophy?"

Thomas Jefferson wrote to William Short the following:

"I take the liberty of observing that you are not a true disciple of our master Epicurus, in indulging the indolence to which you say you are yielding. One of his canons, you know, was that “that indulgence which prevents a greater pleasure, or produces a greater pain, is to be avoided.” Your love of repose will lead, in its progress, to a suspension of healthy exercise, a relaxation of mind, an indifference to everything around you, and finally to a debility of body, and hebetude of mind, the farthest of all things from the happiness which the well-regulated indulgences of Epicurus ensure; fortitude, you know is one of his four cardinal virtues. That teaches us to meet and surmount difficulties; not to fly from them, like cowards; and to fly, too, in vain, for they will meet and arrest us at every turn of our road. Weigh this matter well; brace yourself up; take a seat with Correa, and come and see the finest portion of your country, which, if you have not forgotten, you still do not know, because it is no longer the same as when you knew it."

I will bring some thought provoking questions to spur on the discussion.

We'll be using the same Zoom link as previous meetings (and I will send out a meeting reminder before the meeting).

For anyone who has not attended previously and wishes to join us, please let us know here in this thread and we will get the Zoom link to you by private message.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Coming up Monday night 8pm ET - for our First Monday Epicurean Philosophy Discussion - Via Zoom - We will discuss what place ambition has within an Epicurean lifestyle.

There are two shades of meaning for the word "ambition" so this is important to take into consideration. It can refer to any kind of aspiration or it can refer to something to do with career, gaining wealth, power, or fame. Since we already understand that Epicurus refers to power and fame as vain desires, then for Monday night's discussion I am wanting to refer to ambition as "a strong wish to achieve something" (see the Cambridge Dictionary online).

From the Cambridge Dictionary:

B1 [ C ]

a strong wish to achieve something:

Synonyms

aim (INTENTION)

aspiration (HOPE)

dream (HOPE)

goal (AIM)

hope

intent formal or specialized

intention

object (PURPOSE)

objective

target (AIM)

B2 [ U ]

a strong wish to be successful, powerful, rich, etc.:

Golbach a link has been sent to you by private message. Looking forward to meeting you at tonight's meeting.