Week 1: Introduction to Epicurus and the Extant Texts

Week 1 - Introduction to Epicurus and the Extant Texts

The posts in this thread are work-in-progress for the development of a self-guided seven week course - "Introduction to the Philosophy of Epicurus".

Overview: Join us for a seven week study course on the philosophy of Epicurus. This program will introduce you to the basics of the classical Epicurean philosophy and provide opportunities for contemplation and guidance for practical applications of the philosophy to modern life. Epicurus presents a worldview which answers existential questions such as: What is the nature of the world? What is the nature of the soul? How do we make choices in our lives when a creator god is not involved in the world?

The philosophy of Epicurus shows how pleasure is the guide of life and gives guidance for living the most complete life possible. By understanding the limits of both pleasure and pain, and how to overcome the fear of death, the mind becomes clear and open to living fully. Through the understanding of what is natural and necessary, what is natural and but not necessarily needed, and what is merely empty opinion, the proper prudence to make wise choices and avoidances result in more pleasure and less pain. The philosophy of Epicurus leads us to live the best life - a healthy mind in a health body - surrounded by friends and supported by sufficiency.

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Week 1: The historical context of Epicurus and the Garden and an overview of the extant texts.

Below you will find useful links for self-guided study:

Thread

Epicurus - Main Biography

"Epicurus, son of Neocles and Chaerestrata, was an Athenian of the deme of Gargettus, and the family of the Philaidae, as Metrodorus says in his work on Nobility of Birth. Heraclides in his epitome of Sotion and others say that the Athenians having colonized Samos, Epicurus was brought up there. In his eighteenth year, as they say, he came to Athens, when Xenocrates was at the Academy and Aristotle was living in Chalcis. After the death of Alexander of Macedon, when the Athenians were driven…

Cassius

November 20, 2023 at 2:58 PM

Thread

Epicurus' Appearance - Research Into What He Looked Like

ADMIN EDIT: There is a lot of material on this topic buried within the "School of Athens" subforum, but the topic is broader than the fresco so we need another place to cover all the facets of the question of knowledge of the true face of Epicurus. We can start with the obvious statement that those who knew him knew what he looked like, and it appears that numerous representations of his face were produced in antiquity and were reproduced for at least several hundred years. We also know that…

Cassius

March 11, 2017 at 5:39 PM

Where was the Garden of Epicurus? The Evidence from the Ancient Sources and Archaeology - Epicureanfriends.com

While we will probably never know the exact location of Epicurus’s Garden in ancient Athens, we can take a number of educated guesses.

www.epicureanfriends.com

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Epicurus' Letter to Menoeceus - Epicureanfriends.com

www.epicureanfriends.com

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Additional material for Week 1 will be posted below in this thread.

To go to Week 2, click here.

Some further links for "Week 1: Introduction to Epicurus and the Extant Texts":

Post

RE: Episode One Hundred Forty-Nine - "Epicurus And His Philosophy" Part 05 - The Early Years of Epicurus

Speaking of history timelines, I copied my alternative Epicurean timeline from a thread to my Wall:

https://www.epicureanfriends.com/wcf/user/311-don/#wall/comment425

It's based on the idea that Diogenes Laertius is writing Book 10 of his Lives of Eminent Philosophers right now in 2022 CE.

Don

November 23, 2022 at 9:49 AM

Thread

How Would You Answer Someone New Who Asked You: "What Is Epicurean Philosophy All About?"

If you met someone who asked you to explain to them what Epicurean Philosophy is about, how would you introduce them to it, and what are some examples of how it can be applied in everyday life?

Cassius

September 1, 2019 at 8:08 AM

Thread

Epicureanism and cult-like mentality?

I‘m going to ask another question in a separate thread because the subjects substantially differ one from another.

It seems that the Epicurean society was a bit separated from the rest of the world- own classes, an own garden, own hierarchical structures, etc. In contrast to that, the Stoics were right in the centre of the social life, inviting everyone to attend these events.

Thus I get the expression that Epicureanism favours the creation of cult-like mentalities, where Epicureans claim to know…

smoothiekiwi

January 8, 2022 at 7:24 AM

Pacatus thanks for sharing your thoughts regarding this project.

I'm starting out with gathering together any threads that might be helpful for newer people, and which may cover the given week's focus. So anyone can add links to threads that they think could be helpful.

Eventually I want to make some YouTube videos using any good bits and pieces that are found in these threads.

Also, I hope to put together a detailed outline (but the Youtube stuff may happen first, lol).

If anyone has specific questions under each week's focus that they want to ask, or see addressed, whether or not they are covered in any other existing threads, go ahead and please post. Thanks!