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General DiscussionFor General Discussion not yet assigned to a detailed category. When in doubt of where to post, feel free to post here and we'll eventually move the thread to another location if needed. Also check out the FAQ discussion sub-forum.
Forum MembershipNew member welcome threads, Community Standards and Rules of the Forum, Statement of Purpose, Forum Friends Personal Posts, and Announcements.
Private SectionLogistical Planning and Moderator Team Communications.
Forum EventsEpicurean philosophy Zoom discussions (Level 01+ members).
ActivismFor discussion of the promotion of Epicurean philosophy; online and local gatherings and organizations, non-forum Epicurean philosophy events.
Lucretius Today PodcastLucretius Today Podcast newest recordings and full archive.
Epicurean LifestyleSpecial Lifestyle section and self-improvement | Friendship.
Physics | Canonics | EthicsDiscussion on Physics, Canonics, and Ethics of Epicurus
Ancient TextsFor discussion of Epicurean extant texts from the ancient world: Letters and Will of Epicurus |Letter to Menoeceus| Principal Doctrines | De Rerum Natura | Vatican Sayings | Epicurus Fragments | Wall of Diogenes of Oinoanda | Philodemus | Cicero's "Torquatus"
Modern Books, Articles, Videos, etc.For discussion of modern books, articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, and other multimedia. Including subforums on DeWitt's "Epicurus and His Philosophy" | Wright's "A Few Days in Athens" | Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure"
Comparisons |Notable OpponentsFor discussion of comparison of Epicurean philosophy with opposing religions and philosophies (the differences between Epicurus and Stoicism, Buddhism, Platonism, Aristotelianism, Cyreniacs, etc.)
Epicurean Historical Figures

For discussion of the lives of Epicurean historical figures such as Epicurus, Hermarchus, Metrodorus, Lucretius, and others.

Also discussion of historical figures who were non-Epicureans of special significance: Gassendi, Thomas Jefferson, Nietzsche, and others.

Places of Interest To Epicurean HistoryFor discussion of specific physical locations of interest to Epicurean history, such as Athens and Herculaneum.
History and Culture - Classical AntiquityFor discussion of history and culture during the time of Epicurus and Epicurean communities.
Epicurean Art and Symbolism - Historical and ModernFor Discussion of all art which is Epicurean-inspired or Epicurean-friendly, past or present including sculptures, reproductions, music, poetry, literature -- including iconography of Epicurus.


PhysicsAtomicsCanonics
Nothing From Nothing Or To NothingNothing Except Atoms And Void Have Eternal and Unchanging Properties. The Atoms Are Constantly In Motion, But Not So Fast That We Cannot Comprehend The Nature Of The Universe, Knowledge, and How To LiveKnowledge Is Possible
Atomic Swerve and Rejection of DeterminismRejection of Atomic ReductionismSenses, Feelings, And Anticipations Are Criteria of Knowledge
Eternal - Boundless - Life-Filled Universe All Sensations Are "True"
Nothing But Atoms Are Eternal - No Immortal Soul Priority of Nature Over Reason
Nothing Is Supernatural - No Gods Over Nature Embrace of Practical Reason
Rejection of Platonic Idealism and Aristotelian Essences Rejection of Dialectical Logic and Skepticism

Ethics

There Are Only Two Categories of Feelings - Pleasure and Pain - And Nature Gives Nothing Else By Which To Determine What to Choose and What to AvoidPleasure Includes All Bodily And Mental Experiences Which Are Not Painful - There Is No Pain Where Pleasure Is Present - and Thus Pleasure Is Present Where Pain Is Absent
Pleasure Has A Limit In Quantity That Can Be Experienced, And That Limit Is Reached When All Bodily And Mental Experiences Are Filled With Pleasure And No Pain Is PresentPleasure Is Desirable - Pleasure Is The Alpha and Omega And Guide Of Life
Mental Pleasures And Pains Can Be More Significant Than Bodily Pleasures And PainsPain is Undesirable - But Pain Should Be Chosen When Greater Pleasure Or Lesser Pain Results
Pain Is Manageable - It Is Short If Intense, Endurable If Long, And Terminable By DeathOnly This Life And This World - No Other World Or Reward Or Punishment After Death
Personal Freedom, Responsibility, And Proper Attitude Toward "The Gods" and "Fate"Rejection Of Absolute Virtue, But Embrace Of Practical Virtue As Instrumental For Achieving A Life of Pleasure
Two Equal-Rank Categories Within Pleasure (Stimulative/Kinetic - Non-Stimulative/Katastematic)

Virtues

PrudenceFriendshipTemperance
CourageConsideratenessJustice
HopeHonestyGratitude
ConfidenceLiving In the PresentBeneficence

You can also try out the "Key Concepts Navigation Map" in Portrait Orientation and Landscape Orientation.

Unread Threads

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    2. what did epicurean actually mean by free will ? i think the article on the main page is confusing determinism with fatalism 8

      • UnPaid_Landlord
      • December 22, 2024 at 2:24 AM
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    4. Root304

      December 22, 2024 at 2:24 AM

    2. Epicureanism and Scientific Debates Epicurean Tradition and its Ancient Reception - New (2023) Collection of Commentaries 7

      • Matteng
      • December 17, 2024 at 2:19 PM
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    4. Don

      December 17, 2024 at 2:19 PM

    2. How Would Epicurus Analyze The Slogan "Live Free Or Die" As An Ethical Guide? 7

      • Cassius
      • December 9, 2024 at 2:57 PM
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      7
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    4. Root304

      December 9, 2024 at 2:57 PM

    2. Video Games For Mental Focus and Relaxation 2

      • Cassius
      • December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM
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    4. Root304

      December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM

    2. Discussion of New Substack Article: "A Gate To Be Burst: Absence of Pain" 29

      • Cassius
      • December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM
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    4. Bryan

      December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM