Thank you, Cassius.

You did recommend me to carry on with DeWitt after Lucretius, rather than searching for subtopics. I am going to follow your advice as soon as I can. I agree, DeWitt is the best option to start digging into Epicurean philosophy.

In the meanwhile, I enjoy the episodes very much, it's a rich debate about subtopics. I do like Joshua's participation, I can't get enough. I came across analysis and comments about Epicurean view on death in the last two episodes, very interesting indeed, a subtopic that appeal to me.

Also, the view on happiness/pleasure even during hardship comes handy to me right now due to negative circumstances. I am facing adversity (accommodation, finances) so I am under pressure. I have to deal with it. Therefore, I have no choice but let DeWitt aside at the moment. Nevertheless, I find a certain degree of sanity (happiness/pleasure) when listening to the podcast every week. I forget about adversity for one hour. I might be applying Epicurean principles unconsciously, who knows. I've just realised that I am participating in this particular forum, asking questions and so on, despite the situation; a bit strange to be honest.

In the near future, once I find myself in a better position, I go for DeWitt.

Thanks for the comments and advice Cassius, I appreciate it.

Yeah, sorry about the confusion.

All the comments and quotations in the few last episodes (Cicero's criticism for example) are interesting because I can learn and analyse about stoicism more in detail, how they confront epicurean philosophy, etcetera. It's useful to review other opinions and thinkers to compare and contrast, it makes the debate wiser I believe.

So I fancy to go back to Lucretius and reading again about that topic, related to Cicero's criticism. I thought I should review 'the senses' as the most appropriate reading; is that correct? Therefore, the question was what book exactly should I review? Perhaps you could recommend two or more passages from different books. I don't intend to read all six books again.

As you can see, I am not that good to produce an argument or ask a clear question. Just confusion.

Thank you.

Cassius and Joshua,

In relation to the comments "being able to be happy even under a torture session" during the last episode, where should I read again in Lucretius' Nature of things? Perhaps in "the senses" section.

It's about Cicero’s critic/mockery on this specific idea, taken from a letter written by Epicurus if I remember well. It really took my attention. I also remember the differentiation between happiness and pleasure. It was interesting indeed, not bad to kick off the new year.

I’d like to review these elements in the book. Thank you both.

Thank you all!!!

Thank you Joshua. Interesting proposition to read more about Lucretius in the future.

Thank you Don. That's an excellent alternative, Tsouna's Book, in the waiting list as well.

And thank you Cassius. That's a rigorous analysis, in detail. I am going for DeWitt first, it makes sense.

Then I can consider subtopics in particular. I have now a better idea how to approach diverse books, considering all the confusion created around Epicurus' views (happiness, death, etcetera). By the way, mentioned several times in the podcast.

Thank you all, very much appreciated. I received not one but three replies in 24 hours. Amazing!

Excellent support, customers satisfied. I love this forum.

Hi Cassius,

I am one of your listeners who expect the podcast edition at least once a week, as you mentioned.

So it's great that you and the panel keep going with refreshing debates, referring to other philosophers/authors like Cicero and Torquato. I do enjoy the participation of regular panellists; Joshua added an interesting view on Utopia for example.

Perhaps, my next step should be Prof DeWitt's book, and searching for more information I came across another book that took my attention. By the way, I'd like to post a question to you and the panellists about it.

The book is Facing death: Epicurus and his critics, by James Warren. According to a brief description, it's about death related to the epicurean interpretation. I thought it can be interesting to read it right now, after two years of pandemics. However, there's something in the description that doesn't convince me, I am not quite sure.

It's an expensive book, so I may be better off buying DeWitt's instead. You can check the description in the link, Facing Death: Epicurus and his Critics a book by James (Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge) Warren. (bookshop.org)

Here's the question for you, Joshua, Martin and Don, please. Can you expand on Warren's book? Are you aware of this work? Did you recommend it already? What do you reckon? Is it worth spending money on it, or not at all?

Thank you for your suggestions!

I'd like to add an observation in relation to the great stink, mentioned by Joshua in this episode regarding disease and plagues.

The importance of Edwin Chadwick and his role to resolve cholera in London at that time is missing in the equation (unless I missed it myself when listening, sorry Joshua if that's the case).

He was the main character to develop drainage and sewerage. The river Thames was not the only problem, my understanding is that people used to walk on excrement, so cholera killed thousands of Londoners.

Therefore, it was an urban solution applied to public health. I admire EC, and I thought he should be considered in this particular debate as well, that's all.

Thanks.

Hi Cassius.

It's been a while since I came across this forum, as a consequence of listening to the podcast.

I just want to say that I continue listening every week on my way back home, as well as I keep reading On the nature of things. I'd say I reached 60% of the book and 60% of the podcast, proxy. Slowly but surely.

And here's my perception: I do enjoy it. It's the perfect companion for the book, without doubts.

I do find it very useful, sometimes to clarify concepts. I became familiar with the voices, that's positive. I noticed the participation of new panellists in the latest podcasts. Sometimes I disagree with details, sometimes I wonder what are they talking about? Overall, it makes me think harder about what I am reading, that's the main point.

So thank you Cassius and the panel for the effort, and I appreciate the fact that you don't give up during difficult times.

I am pretty sure there will be more people listening to the podcast in the future.

I can't wait for the breakthrough in youtube!

Thanks a lot mate.

Quote from Cassius

I'm interested to know how you discovered it -- by using a podcast app to search for Lucretius, or what?

Yes, using iVoox platform. I am currently listening a podcast related to Portuguese language. I didn't search for Lucretius in particular, I discovered by chance. I bought 'On the nature of things' recently. Then, I noticed that you mention this forum in the introduction of the episodes. Domino effect online, I think (maybe an incorrect observation here).

Hi Cassius. Thank you, glad to be here.

I discovered your podcast by chance, just after exploring Lucretius' book. I decided to learn more in depth about epicurean ideas, as I am in tune with them in many respects. I do enjoy the podcast, by the way.

I live in Britain, although my first language is Spanish. So I smile every time you people discuss about different translations and interpretations. fascinating!

I don't feel confident to participate yet, but I am sure this is the right place to keep learning about this subject (apart of the podcast). Great forum. Thanks.