Epicurus, Principal Doctrines | Three Types of Desires and Pleasures | Philosophy Core Concepts

[@patrickayling4703]

As a Learner in philosophy this was a eye opener thank you

[@GregoryBSadler]

You're very welcome!

[@GregoryBSadler]

Here's the second to last of these Core Concept videos on Epicurus. . . one more to release after this one later this week

[@StuartSafford]

This is needed. Thanks for the explanations. Many people, including myself, don't often think about whether a desire is natural or necessary.

[@beva2621]

both of them

[@GregoryBSadler]

Stuart Safford You're welcome

[@JoshV74656]

I just read Epicurus's letter to Menoeceus and this video really helped explain the desires mentioned, particularly all the examples given like wearing a tie. I liked how Dr. Sadler discuses the media and how we are saturated with unnatural and unnecessary desires. I think I'm getting it, that while the unnatural and unnecessary desires may give some pleasure, they may also give pain as a side effect (overeating and being sick, health problems), or pain from not getting the desire even though it wasn't really necessary (being disappointed I can only afford a plain jacket when I really wanted leather, even though the plain jacket takes care of my natural desires of warmth just fine).

[@GregoryBSadler]

We might be in a tougher time as far as culture provoking empty opinions and unnatural and unnecessary desires at the moment

[@Anekantavad]

I like how the French approach food. They are obsessed with it (in a way) and their cuisine is famous for being superb, rich, and varied. This does *not*, however, lead to a culture of food abuse, since hand in hand with the cheese, wine, and heavy cream sauces is a food culture that emphasizes restraint, taking ones time, and making food an experience as valid as any other in life. And it is not an easily acquired skill. I have tried most of my adult life to acquire it, and it is incredibly elusive. I suspect Epicurus could help. :-)

[@GregoryBSadler]

+Anekantavad Perhaps. . . there's just not all that much in his philosophy (what we have about it) that bears on food, unfortunately. . . .

[@ozzy5146]

The French make a sharp distinction between a "gourmet" (someone who knows what good food is) versus a "gourmand" (someone who likes stuffing his face).

[@michaelloria69]

Good bakers. Bad everything else.

[@ExistentialistDasein]

wonderful topic and nice explanation.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Existentialist Dasein Thanks!

[@samtitus5661]

Sir have you tried to apply this philosophy into your life. I'm thinking about practicing this. A lot of it that u said hits home for me. Also thank u for uploading the video. Cheers.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Some of it, yes

[@Akash-sv7dj]

Nice video👌

[@GregoryBSadler]

Thanks!

[@Uluru9737]

Epicureanism is simply the most perfect philosophy in the history of mankind and will continue to be through the centuries.

[@GregoryBSadler]

That's really silly

[@thehatefulnerd]

The desire to eat, the desire to drink, and the desire to be merry!

[@GregoryBSadler]

thehatefulnerd These can straddle these categories

[@bendadestroyer]

In the past five years, has your personal opinion about Epicurus or Epicureanism changed?

[@GregoryBSadler]

Which one? I've got lots of personal opinions

[@bendadestroyer]

As someone who just learned about epicureanism I wonder what my ultimate judgment of this philosophy might be. Have you found any fundamental flaws or redeeming qualities in Epicureanism that you didn't hold years ago?

[@GregoryBSadler]

@@bendadestroyer No, but I've been studying and teaching these for decades

[@MrMarktrumble]

wearing a tie is neither natural or necessary to human beings, and yet certain domains have strict dress codes. Why....? I dislike all the suits I had to wear. All the clothes take attention, and mustard gets on your tie. "if I can't take philosophy courses, or buy philosophy books, or understand them all, I am not really living". " If I cant do chin ups in multiple sets of 20, seated military presses in excess of 220 lbs, I am not really living. There are other pursuits as well. It may be wise to listen to the "wealth of nature", and not to pursue infinite perhaps perverse desires. Instead of shoes, how about a house filled with philosophy and religious books? hmmmm....there, you just gave the book example. I wont get rid of my Steinbeck collection, but I did get rid of all my P.K.Dick books ( maybe I shouldn't have...). The value of the book is what it taught me, and to help me remember what is in it. IF I had perfect memory, could understand them perfectly;y, and then be able to chop them up and synthesize them and apply them in my life, I wouldn't need the paper book. I need books because I haven't learnt them all, and my memory is not as good as I would like.

[@GregoryBSadler]

Mark Trumble Yes, the desires that are natural and necessary are pretty simple to satisfy, Epicurus says.

[@MrMarktrumble]

Reminds me of the stoics "staying close to nature"

[@GregoryBSadler]

It's similar in that respect -- but the Epicurean moral theory is really at antipodes to the Stoic on the whole