Posts by michelepinto

Here the translation of:

http://epicuro.org/una-settimana-epicurea/

An epicurean week

In the book "Lezioni di felicità" (Lessons of Happiness) Ilaria Gaspari tells firsthand how to rebuild her life thanks to classical philosophy.

The protagonist of the story has just been left by the partner with whom she had lived for a long time. Unfortunately the rent of their apartment, now that she is alone, is too expensive and she is forced to move. A double blow leaves her on her knees. To start again, a week at a time, the protagonist will follow the teachings of a different Greek philosophical school. Including Epicureanism.

This book has the indisputable merit of presenting the thought of Pythagoras, Parmenides, Zeno, Pirrone, Epicurus and Diogenes as a living thought and not as a distant object of study covered by the dust of centuries.

In this Epicurus is distinctly distinguished from other philosophers. The protagonist does not need to interpret and adapt Epicurean's advice for a happy life, as it is necessary to do for all the other schools. It is no coincidence that the book opens with a quotation from Epicurus: "The discourse of that philosopher who does not cure any evil of the human soul is in vain."

Ilaria Gaspari's interpretation of Epicurus is lucid and fascinating.

"Epicurus is one of those philosophers whose ideas have been so free, so different from those of all their contemporaries - and therefore so foolish, with less outdated eyes - that they give him the reputation of being depraved, vicious, disheartened or whatever you want. "

At first the protagonist focuses on the teaching of Epicurus regarding desires: natural and necessary, natural but not necessary and unnecessary. "The fact is that we are not used to cultivating moderation: I realize, with a certain surprise, when unexpectedly my epicurean life turns into a long chase of frugality." And also: "I want to decide what I want, and also what I don't want. The problem, however, is that this activity ends up absorbing all my time, it's a spiral from which it seems impossible to get out. "

But then, understanding the message of Epicurus better, he finds serenity again: "I understand that being a good Epicurean does not mean either being dissolute or monastic in the severity towards myself, but letting myself live with subtle fatalism, without falling prey to anguish." Center! Despite the term fatalism I do not think it is particularly suitable, because for Epicurus the contingencies of fate have a very limited power over our happiness.

Finally the author underlines the importance that friendship and generosity have for Epicurean happiness.

However brief, only one chapter of the book is dedicated to Epicurus, the epicurean experience of Ilaria Gaspari is decidedly effective and original. And if the author prefers to learn happiness from dogs rather than "compete in happiness with Zeus himself" well, everyone makes their choices.

I forgot:

Ilaria Gaspari wrote a book about Greek philosophy. For six weeks she lived following a different school. The 5th week was the epicurean one. And she at start appreciates Epicurus teaching about desires, then she dicovered it is not enough for happiness and went further.

Ilaria will be at Epicurean Festival in Senigallia this summer.
And this is my article about her book: http://epicuro.org/una-settimana-epicurea/ I'll translate it for you soon.

I state: I love ice cream and eat absurd quantities ...

I believe that the message of balance of Epicurus is very important. I said balance, not abstinence, pauperism or the like. And I think it's very important because it's what the world is struggling to accept.

We all see it all the days, it seems that everyone tells us earn as much money as you can and spend them all on useless things. The voice of Epicurus is out of this chorus and is therefore appreciated. Perhaps this message is trivial, but we cannot take it for granted. Indeed, perhaps it is precisely on this that we can aim to make Epicuro known at the beginning.

Why is the rest of Epicurus's message more or less ignored? I do not know. I wouldn't worry about it, rather we keep talking about it here.

Finally, the vignette ... I didn't do it for informative purposes, but to make the already navigated Epicureans have a few laughs. I think irony is important in Epicurean life.

Quote from Mousikos

A hedonistic pursuit of the good life does not strongly invite people who are interested in philosophy. And pleasure seekers may not be all that interested in philosophy.

This is a fault of philosophy itself, because people that want to be happy do not seek happiness in philosophy. And People want to be happy!

This book of Phillip Mitsis has been published in Italy this year and a new one is coming.
The translator is a friend of mine.

Quote from Cassius

I see! Do you gather that it adds a new "take" on the poem, or largely just another effort over the same ground? I gather that some people (especially those who like poetry) like the idea of tackling it to try to capture the poetic feel. Is that his approach, or is he targeting accuracy of meaning?

I think boot. The focus is the strong of the Words and the feeling he feels and trys to give back. But if the Lucretius words ghive feelings, they must be about Epicurus theachings.

Quote from Cassius

Interesting post even if you don't translate it! How do you mean "it is too much Italian?" Too long to translate, or too something else?

Basically is a new translation of De Rerum Natura in Italian, in the style of a great italian poet. It is hard to reed for me, that I'm italian. And has no sense translate a translation...
So I imagine that book has not to much interest for who not speaks Italian.

I'm not going to translate this in English: http://epicuro.org/roberto-herlit…ante-alighieri/

I thing it is too much "Italian".

An italian famous actor Roberto Herlitzka translated Lucrezio's De Rerum Natura in the same metric and style Dante used for the Divina Commedia.

Today the book was presented officially in Turin and a great friend of mine, Sandro Borzoni, an epicurean, was there and wrote this presentation.

Thank you Cassius!

Great Work!

It is not my appeal but "Romanae Disputationes"'s one. They just speak about philosophy. I agree about "Epicurean Philosofy"!

I promised to translate all my new Italian post on Epicuro.org in English. Today I wrote two new posts, but they are a lot "Italian". So I'll try to resume and explain them here.

An appeal for philosophy

I fully share the appeal of Romanae Disputationes to give more importance to the study of philosophy in the Italian school, in particular to introduce it also in the technical study addresses where it is traditionally absent.

The reason for this request is explained very simply by the poster itself:

Why philosophy?
Because it opens the mind of man to free thought Because it teaches to ask the right questions and not to give hasty answers

Because it forces us to give reasons for what we think and what we say Because it moves to look for the meaning of all things in relation to the whole that surrounds them

Because it forms men capable of exercising criticism Because it reminds us that science and technology are for the good of man

Because he asks what is justice, good, happiness Because it gives dignity to politics by not reducing it to a technique of consent

Because he teaches to argue Because he always asks us what we think we know

Because he always asks us how we know what we know

Speaking of teaching philosophy I am reminded of what Don Milani's students said in their book "Letter to a teacher". A thought that makes sense of the work I'm doing here on Epicuro.org.

The philosophers studied in the manual all become hateful. They are too many and have said too many things. Our professor has never lined up. It is not clear if everyone is doing well or if they don't care about anyone.

I prefer a maniac between an indifferent professor and a maniac. One who has either a thought of his own or a philosopher that suits him. You speak only of that, say evil of others, read it on the original for three years in a row.

We will sort of school convinced that philosophy can fill a life.

Scuola di Barbiana - Letter to a professor - 24.3 philosophy

Here it is. That's exactly how it is, I hope those who happen by chance on this site understand that philosophy can fill a life. The philosophy of Epicurus in particular.

You can have more info in: http://romanaedisputationes.com/

And you can learn about Lorenzo Milani here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Milani

Epicurus wisdom pills also run on Whatsapp

Receiving one or two short sentences from Epicurus on your cell phone a week is a way to never stop your search for happiness.

There is not much left of Epicurus with respect to the volume of volumes he wrote, but what we have available today is precious. His sentences, often very brief, have the ability to illuminate our thinking on a topic. They are simple, it is rare that it is necessary to explain them, but they are never trivial.

Reading a sentence from Epicurus has the ability to stimulate our thinking, or to put us in a good mood. That's why Epicuro.org offers the "EpicuroDixit" service to receive Epicuro's sentences on Twitter, Telegram and Whatsapp.

To register for the service on Whatsapp, save the number +1 260 209 0527 and send a Whatsapp message with the word "Epicuro ON".

The service is completely free.

For Telegram just click on http://t.me/epicurodixit

For Twitter, just follow the @EpicuroOrg account

Epicurus's sentences are also posted on our Facebook page.

I'm sure this service will have a great success. And I hope someone will replicate it in English.

Thank you. I'll read it, but it will take time 'cause of my bad English.

Here the three busts of Epicurus into the Musei Capitolini of Rome.

Quote from Cassius

If Epicurus is everywhere in Rome, it would be good if there were a list of "major places to see Epicurus" for people who travel to Italy. One day I will make it to Greece and Italy myself!

I'll help you.
I have picture of the most of this place

Quote from elli

Si, io capisco tutto ma non posso di scrivere bene. Mia nonna era italiana e mi parlava in italiano. Ho avuto un sogno di studiare a Roma la lingua italiana.

Vieni a Senigallia il 30 e 31 agosto e il 1 settembre per il festival Epicureo!

Quote from elli

Ciao Michele, questo busto di Epicuro è molto bello, mi piace molto.

Parli italiano? Che bello!

There are tree busts in that room. In Rome there is one more bust in Musei Vaticani, and, I'm not sure about that, one or two more in Museo Massimo.
Epicurus is everywhere in Rome.
Tomorrow I'll post some pictures.

I love it!

Quote from C. Florius Lupus

In logic there are no opinions, only conclusions...

In the pursuit of happiness may be the difference can be in the people itself. Not everybody can be happy of the same thing.