Epicurus, Principal Doctrines | Pleasure, Prudence, and Justice | Philosophy Core Concepts

[@JoshV74656]

I took my first foray into Epicurus this evening reading his letter to Menoeceus and this video is a nice companion to that piece. I liked Epicurus's emphasis on happiness in his philosophy, analyzing ones actions not just on what's morally right but right for them in their pursuit of a pleasant life. It gives the letter a personal and practical touch as opposed to more preachy philosophy, yet tying happiness into the virtues of prudence and justice seems to ground the letter ethically speaking. After watching this lecture I have a better understanding of justice in the epicurean sense, and how living outside the law or without justice puts internal moral pressure and the threat of external pressure on a person in a way that is painful and goes against living a pleasant life, again a very practical and somewhat self centered way of looking at justice.

[@stefanocalesini3923]

This post is excellent. Thanks for sharing.

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're welcome!

[@StuartSafford]

Thank you for describing prudence.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Stuart Safford You're welcome

[@MrMarktrumble]

Very good. Thank you. I will be reading more Epicurus in the future.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Mark Trumble It's a quick read -- not much of his works left to us, unfortunately

[@GregoryBSadler]

examining Epicurus' dictum that one cannot live pleasantly without living prudently, well, and justly. . .

[@GregMilner]

Great lecture. Thanks so much.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Greg Milner You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it! More of those to come

[@MrMarktrumble]

I am very interested in "honourably" or the kalos. It was the identification of the moral concept of kalos , it,s distinction from the Christian concept of "evil", and an exhortation to return to the good as kalos that Nietzsche advocates in the Genealogy of Morals.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Mark Trumble Well, I wouldn't associate "kalos" as Epicureans are using it with how Nietzsche (or for that matter, many other Greeks) are using it -- those concepts don't have the same content, despite sharing a term.

[@MrMarktrumble]

that is indeed what I thought, but as my Greek is almost non existant ( I took a course, passed weakly, and only got to reading small chunks of text with great labour, but I can read individual words thought), I cannot read Greek texts and see the meaning of the word in context. Makes me vulnerable to arbitrary recasting of a term to suit ones ends, and the tacit assuming of primacy and normality of the term as one uses it.

[@a.escalante8776]

Hello, big fan, well have you ever done or plan on doing anything on antisthenes. Once I read he was socrates' noblest disciple and would love to hear your take on his philosophy.

[@GregoryBSadler]

A. Escalante He founded the Cynic school. Unfortunately, all of his works are lost. We've got discussions of him in Xenophon and Diogenes Laertes. So. . . maybe down the line.

[@a.escalante8776]

Awesome, thanx

[@wilsonjeffery1380]

very good speaker... reminds me of nick cages voice but better

[@GregoryBSadler]

Glad you enjoy it

[@siriusvideo22]

What's the name of the book you were holding in your hand throughout the video?

[@GregoryBSadler]

That's Diogenes Laertes' Lives of the Philosophers, vol. 2, where you'll find Epicurus' works. It's the Loeb edition, which you can get here - amzn.to/2EtpwdY

[@lucascaceres878]

Valeu!

[@GregoryBSadler]

Thanks!

[@lucascaceres878]

@@GregoryBSadler Por nada, professor.