My latest author blog on Goodreads: Epicurean Economics and a Few Updates

You have a new follower.

Are there other Epicureans active on Goodreads?

Correct. I have not set up an author account there, mostly as a matter of time priorities rather than for any other reason.

Just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to your exploration of this topic, Hiram. As a debtor since college, I'm increasingly interested in personal finance. I've been listening to a good bit of Dave Ramsey in the truck, because his advice is sound and the community around his show is uplifting. However, he caps every show with a claim that is abhorrent to me;

Quote

The only way to financial peace is to walk daily with the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus.

Since this is obviously absurd on its face, I for one shall be delighted in what must certainly be your counter-riposte.

I don't listen to Dave Ramsey very often anymore due to schedule changes, but I have to agree with you that his advice is generally very sound. He wears his religion on his sleeve and would say that it's inseparable probably, but if you can filter that out then a lot of what he says is helpful. Listening to some of the people who call in is pretty eye-opening about how stupid people can be. The one area that I found substantive disagreement with him was his confidence in real estate, and actually confidence in the stock market in general, always going up over the long term. I personally haven't been making "investments" of that nature in a long time, and I think his advice is probably the kind that gets people overconfident and in trouble. (I'm writing this mostly from my non-philosophical perspective, and maybe I ought not comment at all since I haven't listened recently. There are probably other objectional aspects -- as with his "Endorsed Local providers" and chummy relationship with people he pushes. )

On the topic of finances, I found this podcast on the psychological and behavioral aspects of investing quite interesting:

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/psychology-of-investing/

(Some of the behavioral discussion seems to be relevant to the Anticipations, although that certainly isn't the intention of this podcast. I've been curious lately as to how current cognitive science may reinforce Epicurean philosophy. I'm not a scientist, so I've just been picking up tidbits in places like this where people are applying science to practical topics.)

Good tip, Godfrey. I'm always on the lookout for podcasts. Dave gets the most important thing right, and never ceases hammering it home; debt is the enemy. The enemy of self-sufficiency, of freedom, and of happiness. It's a lesson I'm afraid I've learned the hard way--what a thing it is, to pay for an 'education'!

Quote from JJElbert

Dave gets the most important thing right, and never ceases hammering it home; debt is the enemy. The enemy of self-sufficiency, of freedom, and of happiness. It's a lesson I'm afraid I've learned the hard way--what a thing it is, to pay for an 'education'!

AMEN FROM ME!

He's right about that! It's discouraging how in a couple of generations education has become a such a class issue (sorry, no pun intended).

Regarding investing, there are many books (particularly on index fund investing) which describe how the financial services industry is rigged, and the most effective ways to work within the system if one is interested in doing so.

Ignoring any political bent (please!) Elizabeth Warren and her daughter wrote a book, All Your Worth, back in 2005 which I've found very useful regarding using a bit of psychology and simplifying day to day budgeting and finances.

I am not competent to comment on Elizabeth Warren but I seem to remember that she is identified with NOT being slaves to the credit card companies that are headquartered in her home state or nearby, and she deserves a lot of credit for that (no pun intended, but it's there, isn't it?) But my current observation is that all major politicians of all parties are hopelessly controlled or neutered by them, so it's a very bad situation that probably has to be dealt with individual to individual, as in the use of self-help advice.

And as for higher education, I was raised in a generation that that was considered the most valuable and essential thing you could possibly have. Now I truly believe that it is AT BEST an anchor around your neck, and if you actually listen to what is taught in the social sciences classes you might as well attach a real anchor and throw yourself in the ocean because you're pretty much a lost cause. But the truth is that most people don't really listen, any more than most of the people in the pews in church really listen either.

Such a punny thread!

Oh yes -- he ends every broadcast I've ever heard with that. He's primarily a Christian, everything else if after that.