PHILOSOPHY - Epicurus

[@SilasF1sher]

This dude knew what's up

[@sugoruyo]

+Silas Fisher I hear ya. If people were spreading rumours about me holding 10-course feasts, orgies every night and 18 orgasms in a night, I'd be pretty proud...

[@tomasgonzalez970]

Si

[@uttaradit2]

and it wasn't his cock

[@DaughterOfHelios]

no one like their comment, it already has the perfect amount of likes!

[@evantanuwidjaja8017]

epic

[@r91976]

Another crazy thing about him is his name. Epicurus, in Greek is "Επικουρος" from the Greek verb "επικουρω" which means to help, assist, contribute. Pretty accurate for a philosopher.

[@priyanshibahadur2641]

What a lovely insight!

[@MartinQ-bl6co]

@@priyanshibahadur2641 Any ancient Greek name or word has an explanation behind, every Greek word is made by two syllables let me give you an example. English: "gynecologist" Greek: "γυναικολόγος", γυνή + λόγος = Gyni + logos Literally meaning: Gyni = Woman Logos = word/Speech. In English you can say it's "the one who speaks of woman" And that's for every Greek word that exists out there and there are about 6 million words approximately.

[@chaoschaos687]

@@MartinQ-bl6co Logos = Study of

[@murtazahameed3833]

@@chaoschaos687 Never meant that in Ancient Greek. it meant either (as Martin notes) "that which is said" or alternatively "An account, explanation, or narrative" "Subject matter" and finally "that which is thought"

[@IkeMann100]

@@MartinQ-bl6co λόγιος = educated. γυναικολογία = the study of women.

[@PL7802]

My seventeen year old daughter asked me today..... What makes people happy. I banged on about purpose, being kind, friendships, smelling the flowers, dysfunctional relationships, noticing the weather, walking the dog , peace and quiet, not falling for consumerism.....I wish I'd found this video 5 hours ago.....she wouldn't have been bored to tears by me. Thanks for putting this up ☺

[@jimjim3979]

Did you show it to her?

[@PL7802]

@@jimjim3979 I did. She's twenty three now and doing a lot better at life than I was at her age.

[@jimjim3979]

@@PL7802 happy to hear that

[@saumitragautam6579]

You were right about all the things. 😊

[@pgl79]

@@PL7802 I think that's the ultimate goal for any parent - good work, my friend 🙏

[@lambusaab]

A house full of friends. Sounds like fun.

[@painexotic3757]

Sounds like hell. No privacy and no quiet time. As an introvert, thatd drive me insane lol.

[@nugley]

@@painexotic3757 Headlights Friday, tail-lights Sunday!

[@painexotic3757]

@gagi than you are an ambivert, not introvert lol.

[@Str8outdabin]

PaiN ExoTiC “introvert” is just a mental label. Are you anxious around people? If so learn the habit of stepping out of your comfort zone and make that a psychological habit 👍

[@JimmyMcGillsg]

They did a lot of butt fucking too

[@petermeinertzhagen997]

While the information in this video isn’t wrong exactly, it does fundamentally miss the point of Epicurus’s teachings. The point of life, to Epicurus, was ultimately to attain ataraxia - peace of mind derived from the relative absence of physical and mental pain. Everything else - such as being surrounded by friends - was to achieve this aim and not the goal in itself. One has to understand this fundamental point to interpret his teachings today. For example, the point about diet - had Epicurus been alive today, he would have advocated a richer diet consisting of all the things we now know are required to be healthy, but still eating minimally, simply, and frugally. So the video misses the heart of Epicurean philosophy.

[@Couragethecowardlydog509]

Thank you for this comment , it really puts everything into a much better and fundementally more practical perspective.

[@smeshnoymatvey2054]

Epicurus would have rejected a richer diet.

[@splingus]

​@@smeshnoymatvey2054 I think they mean richer in nutrients

[@trevorbailey1486]

Yes, you make a much-needed correction, Peter M. As you would know, Nietzsche was attracted to Epicureanism in the middle period of his work when, like the Greek, he eschewed public life and petty politics - 'kleine Politik' - for a life of contemplative retreat, even insignificance, in search of ataraxia. Only in his later period did he embace 'grosse Politik' and conceive of a perfectible humankind.

[@crowsandghosts]

thanks, im taking a philosophy test in 24 hours

[@smiletojannah]

what an amazing individual with such comprehensive conclusions.

[@salehalmassri3792]

@@idk-gq3lh stfu

[@outdoors_junkey]

@@idk-gq3lh I most certainly disagree with Epicurus philosophy towards theology and the concept of god "if god is all powerful and all good, the fact that evil exists means that if he's all powerful and he's allowing evil to exist, then that is a contradiction to his omnipotence or his" all power", but if he's all good and he allows it to exist this contradicts his goodness or the fact that he's all good", the falasy here is that we don't believe as Muslims and I'm pretty sure most theists don't believe in a god with two attributes goodness and power, we believe in a god with many different attributes such as love, mercy, justice, wisdom... So that's the first thing, this reductionous understanding of a god with two attributes is problematic to say the least, that's the first point, secondly even on those grounds philosophers, atheist philosophers like J.L Macky and others have said that "this problem of evil does not show that the central doctrines of theism are inconsistent", basically there's no logical inconsistency in conceiving of a world where both god exists and evil/suffering exists, now the question is why? So we believe in a why's god and wisdom from our perspective as Muslims is appropriacy if you want to put it in one word, god knows what is appropriate for a human being, or what is appropriate for the human "project", on a side note the problem with the new materialistic athiesm narrative using this argument is that they can't prove that evil exists in the first place, I mean what is evil? Is it privation? Is it suffering? How do you prove that suffering is evil on an impirical materialistic or naturalistic or physicalistic world view? I don't think you can, so they want best of both worlds they want to be a physicalist materialist and atheists who operate not only on methodological naturalism but on a metaphysical naturalism or philosophical naturalism and yet they want to make metaphysical claims about evil and suffering, and they want to use those against theists? Don't they see the inconsistency in their argument or understanding? That's the problem with the new athiests they read something like this in an insignificant 100 pages book like "arguments against god" by g. Oppy and this is pathetically the "best" argument he could provide not being able to see how weak and feeble it is for disproving god, that actual athiest philosophers like J.L Macky dismissed it from being an argument against the existence of god. We simply believe as Muslims that this life is a trial, a test we believe in purpose and value, we believe that there's a choice to make and the fact that there's a free will that is if you believe in it from a philosophical perspective in the first place if you're a compatibalist or a libertarian that is,and the fact that we have free will is indicatif that there's a choice to be made and that is the world we live in, this life is a test, the quran says "He is the One, who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And he is the Almighty, All-forgiving."67:2 so this life is just a testing ground, as for the new world athiests it's just atoms floating about, there's no difference between them and a slab of meat that you see in a butcher shop, they're all composed of the same atoms and materials, both on the naturalist world order are just rearrangement of atoms, and this is their world view, the naturalistic world view, the void of the purpose. But on the other hand as a Muslim I like some of Epicurus philosophy unrelated to theology of course

[@outdoors_junkey]

@am py i respect your point of view, after all if we can't look eye to eye and accept our differences and disagreements then what are we? but from a strictly personal point of view i wholeheartedly disagree with you or him for that matter on this particular point concerning the concept of god, or who allah is, now i don't know what your views on theology are but epicurus doesn't deny the existance of god, or gods according to him, but he simply doesn't believe their involvement in the world as the gods do not interfere with human lives or the rest of the universe in any way, of cource this is because One of the fears the Epicureans ought to be freed from is fear relating to the actions of the gods which may lead to one's suffering which according to one of the core beliefs of epicureanism is ought to be avoided, this is why he dismissed god's involvement or powers like the ability to punish to avoid living a life with fear from speculations according to him, but the concept of allah in islam is different, allah is unique that's why we use the name allah and not god when referring to him in our prayers or otherwise because god can be gods and can be goddess or goddesses but none is like allah even in arabic allah is الله but god is الإله al-ilaah and it can be الالهة which is "gods" or goddess which is الإلَهَةٌ or al-ilaahaa but when you say allah you're speaking about the one the all powerfull. "No vision can grasp him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things." (6:103), so he is neither a material nor a spiritual being our minds cannot comprehend what allah is, so what we know is what allah told us about himself, and among his many attributes is "omnipotence" so that contradicts the statement "allah will not punish anyone on judgement day", allah is a completely different concept than the "god" of epicureanism

[@outdoors_junkey]

@am py that's my whole point, of course that's the classical epicureanism take on theology, "one is ought to avoid this kind of superstition because it causes unnecessary pain and suffering that derives from the fear of hellfire and the punishment of the gods as the gods has no involvement in human life or the universe in general" I already said this statement before but the specific point I disagreed with you in is your use of the name "Allah" in that statement as one of the attributes of Allah is the ability to judge people on judgment day and punish the wrong doers which is a direct contradiction to the god Epicurus believed in, so if he "can't punish and doesn't get involved in human affairs" he ceases to be Allah that the Muslims worship.

[@outdoors_junkey]

@am py OK so first of all just to make things clear, this isn't a debate on whether Allah is real or not that's an entirely different subject, secondly I also want to clarify that Epicurus didn't think "the gods" were a "fictional concept", he was not an athiest he believed in the existence of Greek gods but he only discarded their involvement in the world, now the concept of Allah is different than the concept of Greek gods, and Epicurus didn't comment on the Muslim school of thought concerning theology nor was he exposed to it in the first place as he lived in the BC time period and Islam appeared on the 7th century so you're comparing apples and oranges

[@chrisnichols2241]

Maybe we like our friends so much because we don't see them all the time!

[@orangutan79]

Then you need better friends

[@leplanetesauvage]

somehow i agree with this

[@gabrielaponte6403]

sailor kepler-22b yeah

[@mohicanmowl]

This was so Schopenhauerish

[@RaixsOreh]

just because you live with them doesn't mean you need to spend all your time with them, remember, in their commune they had their own areas and rooms, and a few communal areas where people can mingle with the others, like the living room and the dining room. you can spend your time outside if you like as well, out and about the town, doing what you want.

[@voynich7174]

this just proves humans have never changed since the establishment of advanced civilization

[@tadstrange1465]

Everyone seems to think the world is getting worse. It's clearly not if you actually look at history. It's just as bad as it's always been.

[@meichenf377]

Tad Strange I laugh but cry inside when reading your comment

[@belvinnadar5782]

I mean, we fundamentally are no different than the humans who lived 50 thousand years ago.

[@belvinnadar5782]

@Rishi our standards of living has improved drastically over the past 100 years. 50 thousand years may seem like a long time, but no living being has evolved much in such a short span of time. Evolution takes hundreds of thousands of years, if not millions.

[@belvinnadar5782]

@Dig Ol' Bicks you are correct but not complete. It did take approx 50 thousand years for us to develop lighter skin but that's due to the fact that humans spread across to colder regions like Europe. And since there the sunlight is less harsh, humans there didn't really need all that extra melanin to protect us from the sunlight. So yes, that's more of an adaptation and not exactly evolution.

[@thomasedgerley1152]

Does anyone remember the series 'Friends'. This must be the philosophy that makes us love it.

[@hynjus001]

+Thomas Edgerley This is such a good point!

[@VishnuVardhanS]

could you recommend any such books?

[@VishnuVardhanS]

books that ponder TV psychology.

[@jessstuart7495]

And the "laugh-track" helps.

[@Potamaniak]

Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman

[@81Mace81]

I'm a fan of these videos, but was very disappointed with this one for omitting one of Epicurus' chief contributions... His famous posit on 'Theodicy', aka the problem of Evil and an omnipotent / benevolent god... "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?"

[@riolupal]

From Orthodox Christian perspective (a denomination has existed since the death of Christ but is unfortunately not very well known), God allows for evil because he also allows for free will. He does this so it is always an option for us to follow him and love him with genuine conviction. He created human beings for the same reason we have children, so that we can have something that can love us back and to teach the child values and hope the child will be successful. But without evil and the choice, that freedom to do good or evil there is no point to any of it. Imagine if you pointed a gun at your child and told it to love you, do you believe the child would love you with such genuine conviction or feign love? But if we give the child the choice, the option to love or reject us, the love that comes back will be infinitely greater than a feigned love. Same applies with the Christian God and why he permits evil and why he isn't as involved in the world as most people would expect a God to do.

[@riolupal]

And before I get flamed for turning this into a point of theology, I am just answering a question, you don't have to pick up your rationalist books and throw them my way

[@81Mace81]

Stephen S Mon dieu... There's so many problems with that rationale I simply don't know where to start. However, you're entitled to your belief, or inside 'knowledge' I should say, as you've made numerous rather bold positive claims about what many would agree is simply 'the unknowable'. Whatever your bias or opinions, you cannot deny that this was a ground-breaking posit by Epicurus, and is therefore one worthy of a synopsis of his philosophical contributions.

[@riolupal]

Of course! I agree with you, only a fool would deny that Epicurus was a genius. I feel like I need to make a premature apology because my profile picture makes everything I say sound awfully sarcastic.

[@81Mace81]

Stephen S Haha, no worries Stephen. Your challenge to his conclusion is of course welcome in a debate. I just thought for the sake of fairness it was a point worth mentioning when attempting to educate folk about his body of work.

[@MissFotini]

My favourite of all philosophers! :)

[@MissFotini]

He's both prescriptive and egalitarian which is often a hard balance to strike. It's just a shame we don't know more about him.

[@damnedbelowjudas_]

I like Cioran and Nietzsche the most. Epicurus is pretty good too.

[@andrewbendahan1379]

He's a Presocratic

[@Superbbsuper]

Man this is life at it's finest...This video is how I want to live my life

[@sebbychou]

I was taught to hate on Epicurus, and yet this video explains that his dream home is exactly what I've been fighting to establish for 15 years... Godamnit society, stop fucking up everything.

[@frankm.2850]

Most people don't know what Epicureanism is.

[@daisyno8805]

I love that he said that we don't spend enough time on friends... I believe that deeply

[@timbrinkhof7391]

I wanna live with Epicurus and his friends in a house

[@JLar-bb5hl]

Until someone looks at your wife; )

[@wait...6531]

@@JLar-bb5hl just don't have a wife

[@akmalrahmanhanif1684]

@@JLar-bb5hl then don't bring your wife.

[@sneakerbabeful]

Me too!

[@regularemo1280]

got me at cheese. lost me at no orgies.

[@himalpinistindia8865]

Emo Caligula

[@goodthings1641]

lmao same

[@sluggerplunger]

name checks out

[@doyoumind9356]

Where are the orgies in London SE22 ?

[@TheSnazzyAdventures]

And thats why you're emo

[@abhinavsinghrajput950]

* live with your friends/loved ones * live to help others(u should feel that your'e helping others and making a change in there life) * find calm and peace without in your daily life by being present at the movement

[@Chunkyshoes]

When I got my first apartment, I didn't have any furniture. I was broke and the place was completely empty except a couch and bed. My friends told me to get more stuff just to fill up space. But I actually like having all that free space. We just need good friends, good food and private space. I would also add music to the list.

[@ultimobile]

reminds me of the joke about the guy living in comfort in a lovely big home with his wife, and he says to his wife "I remember when I was young and living in a small basic flat and I had a hot young girlfriend ..." - to which his wife replies "if you get a hot young girlfriend I'll make sure you'll again be living in a small basic flat"

[@CampingforCool41]

Epicurus is the man. Also, this video didn't discuss it but is his views on religion are very interesting as well.

[@themoagoddess1820]

mind discussing them for the rest of the class?

[@CampingforCool41]

The Moa Goddess The short story is that he believed death was the end of both body and soul (in other words, no afterlife and taught that death should not be feared), and that the gods neither punished nor rewarded or cared at all about human behavior.

[@mertb.297]

If I am here death is not, if death is here I am not.

[@SnowmanAgent]

@Mert Bozkurtlat Exactly !

[@ucmeudei]

He was close, like most philosophers...and most religion, and most science...It is only the bias they carry. Each of them from seeing the Absolute Truth... Maybe if they all escaped the Box they are in, maybe some weed and shrooms, then had a talk, a blend of science, religion, and philosophy..the next stage in the Age of Reasoning May begin.

[@ricky2therescue]

Reflection and Mediation is important to maintain a calm.

[@theoryianabsolute8777]

You don't have to need friends or anyone, to be happy. It is a state of mind, depends on person, and things that person is depend on

[@halwis]

"The world was bitter and bitchy, even then" gets me every time.

[@blank-vw2sb]

How to be happy? 1. Have friends around 2. Don't work for others. work independently 3. Have me time. be creative

[@Alkyar]

Me: How can I be happy? Epicurus: You need friends Me: Oh...

[@ramaraksha01]

Happiness is a by-product based on what you do - it is not something that you actively chase Then you are after the easy pleasures of the flesh - nothing to do, enjoy good food and drink - and you mistake that as happiness It is running away from life

[@Alkyar]

@@ramaraksha01 I see what you're saying but disagree with your phrasing. Happiness is not merely a by-product based on what we do, but a direct result of what we believe and how well our actions remain consistent with those beliefs. Thus happiness is two-fold, both a measure of our moral values and of our own integrity. This is a happiness which absolutely should be chased, while those fleeting pleasures which disguise themselves as happiness should indeed be avoided. In short, happiness must be sought to be obtained more often than not by abstinence from those actions that would compromise our integrity. One of the best ways to do that is to cherish friendships with those whose values you have in common.

[@ramaraksha01]

@@Alkyar Phrasing has always been my weak point :-) There are 2 types of Happiness - one that money can buy If one has enough money - then one can just sit about doing nothing all day - play a game, have few worries(esp in these days when families are hurting worrying about their next paycheck) This is the happiness that religions like Christianity & Islam offer - Heaven - nothing to do, no worries, just sit about and enjoy the easy good life that Sugar Daddy God is happy to provide Hinduism is saying such a Heaven is Fools Gold - such people will be reborn as a Tree or a Dog - what does a Dog do all day? Nothing! What worries does a Dog have? None! Food, shelter, care, protection - all provided for free! Heaven! The other type of happiness is one that is Earned - a by-product of one's hard work and effort - doing what we love to do. There were lottery winners who showed up to work the next day. My favorite author is James Heriott - a veternarian who practiced in rural England back in the 40's - he wrote about how he was once offered small animal work in the city - no more getting up in the dead of the night, drive thru snow and freezing cold(back in the 40's no such thing as heated cars), strip off shirt and work in freezing barns in the dead of winter He would have set hours, work with small animals instead of huge cows, bulls & horses He Turns the offer down! Because he loved what he was doing - country work was his life

[@Alkyar]

​@@ramaraksha01 I think most religions are misunderstood on this point, largely because of how vague or silent they can be on such things as the nature of heaven. Instead, Christianity in particular tends to focus on the reality of an afterlife without getting into the specifics of what it is actually like. This vagueness has led many interpreters to depict heaven as what I would call the very picture of boredom. I don't like this, because it offers as a reward the very lifestyle that Christianity explicitly condemns: idleness. In a very crude sense, I have the same comforts now as any well-loved dog. I'm fortunate not to have any worries about survival or creature comforts. What I lack, largely due to the pandemic, is a sense of progress. I feel idle, unmoving, unproductive, and my video games, movies, and food offer little satisfaction anymore. My one source of fulfillment is my very boring job, but at least it is productive. My idea of heaven, which actually falls in line with my own religion, is a very busy and productive place full of people with shared values and proven integrity. It is a place where those people could actively work towards a common goal, one that offers real fulfillment and a true sense of progress. One might even say it is very Epicurian! Personal views aside, I agree with you completely. There are two types of happiness, but only one can truly be called true happiness. I'd rather be a country veterinarian than a dog.

[@ramaraksha01]

@@Alkyar Heaven is a FANTASY, Ponzi-scheme - hard to make sense of fantasies - that is why they are silent and the followers, the media and the educated help the fantasy, ponzi-scheme going by not asking hard questions Asking Madoff for details about his "great system" and you get nothing - that is how ponzi-schemes work It doesn't make any sense Why is God acting like a tin-pot Dictator? Dividing people based on belief and rewarding those with the "right" belief? The rest treated like Jews under Hitler, dumped into gas chambers for not holding the "right" beliefs? So character, values do not matter? And then what do all these people in Heaven doing? The big problem is why would God need all these people in Heaven? It is like you want a good job working for a good company but the company must also need your skills for you to get a job working for that company And that is the biggest problem with God - what kind of work does God need done that He needs our help? So basically none - and so we have billions of lazy moochers sitting about doing nothing? And this is the Grand Plan? Now you see why religions are so silent about Heaven - happy to make cheap and easy promises of the easy good life to be had, meet your old folks, enjoy the good life Nothing is said about doing any sort of work And the followers, media and the educated happily oblige by not asking any hard questions - all complicit in keeping the ponzi-scheme going

[@michaelmichaelson2014]

It's really incredible how similar Epicurus was to Buddha really.

[@Mirrtamirrv]

The Stoics(Epictetus, Aurelius, Seneca) and Buddha had almost the same philosophy.

[@toohdvaetihom7088]

@am py Ancient Greeks believed in reincarnation, especially Plato.

[@toohdvaetihom7088]

Epicurus was influenced by Pyrrho, a soldier who went to India with Alexander and studied Buddhism

[@T_D_B_]

​@@toohdvaetihom7088awesome info. Thank you for that!

[@VladBatrinu]

What brings happiness? 1. friends bring more happiness than lovers. You need your friends close and to meet with them constantly; 2. downshifting. It's more important how you make your money than how much you make. What matters the most is that you enjoy what you're doing and feel that it's meaningful 3. calm is important for happiness. But luxuary doesn't bring calm. Spending time alone, writing stuff down, thinking, reading, meditating. Finding calm in our own minds

[@MirStackUp]

Epicurus was the most epic human to live. R.I.P

[@HardKore5250]

Cyber Sniper why?

[@tadstrange1465]

Hence the name

[@NiePieerdol]

He wasn't. Not the biggest thinker certainly, privately a bit of an asshole full of himself, and a beggar. This video leaves it out but in all of his freedom idea, he relied on other people's money and food. But, no doubt, a great philosopher indeed

[@vonhumboldt8]

@@NiePieerdol you dont understand him and you have low iq

[@dochmbi]

Alright let's start a commune, who's with me? Helsinki Finland!

[@juliam5628]

perkele

[@poetsrear]

+dochmbi Well I've lived in communes here in Helsinki and I'd like to share an observation regarding. They tend to manifest as young adults/late teens sketchy hideouts, where atmosphere, cleanliness and nice talks are replaced with intoxicated nights/whole weekends, argues about who's mess which is and the passiveness following all that. I don't know if it is some sort of "Capital city effect" and do think such a commune would DEFINITELY work out better in the more rural areas or countryside. Might as well add this: Disregarding whatever side I have personally witnessed of communes, I have never ditched the utopian view of the communal life. I know it must work somehow.

[@itsjb5342]

+Toraperse Thanks for your input i enjoyed reading your thoughts mate.

[@juliam5628]

Tampere lol i wish

[@MrElectricVibration]

how long did you try this ? could you give out some more details about your expirience ? (howmany people, facilities, finances). ,, pretty please ? An intrigued person.

[@Sealonark]

So, the answer to human happiness. #squadlife

[@demianhaki7598]

Epicurus' ideas of negative hedonism are definitely intriguing, especially regarding the question of how much we need for happiness and how certain ambitions are counterproductive to happiness because of the stress they cause. In this regard, however, it also seems worthwhile to point out the historic social context of his conception of happiness. Epicureanism and, for that matter, Stoicism were particularly popular at a time when the Roman Empire was in decline, resulting in a great amount of political and economic instability. This was a bad time for social or financial investment in the given infrastructure/society and there was a legitimate risk and uncertainty as to whether one would achieve, maintain or lose one's wealth, status etc. Hence, any ambition to be very wealthy or of high status necessarily involved an equally great amount of stress and anxiety, which would certainly have reduced one's happiness. In terms of a cost-benefit-analysis, it was therefore wiser to choose a more modest lifestyle, since it greatly reduced the amount of anxiety in this unstable social climate. Both philosophies therefore had a survivalist aspect to it. With regard to this historic context, it is not surprising that Epicurean, Stoicist or even Buddhist ideals, arguing for modest lifestyles, are currently very popular again. After all, we live in a society were people are constantly told about global economic crisis, impending environmental catastrophies, shortage of natural ressources and the idea that even a university degree will no longer guarantee a stable income, let alone a secure pention when you're old. Hence, the quest for wealth, social security and status once again involves great anxiousness and stress, and one may be a lot happier by having modest ambitions and needs. For the record, it should be pointed out, however, that this does not have to be the case under all circumstances. If we look at societies which offered a lot of social security, high employment etc., e.g. Japan in the early 90s, Germany in the 60s, we see that the amount of social anxiety was reduced and people felt more relaxed when striving for higher goals, since their social and economic future seemed a lot more achievable and secure. SHORT VERSION: Recommendable conceptions of happiness depend partly on the cost-benefit-analysis in a given social context.

[@wanderingsoul1189]

Loved your insight.

[@andrewbendahan1379]

What an economist!

[@richq11]

Epicurus was from the Atomist School...I love what he wrote on death- "There is nothing to fear in death for death is merely the dissolution of atoms and there is nothing to fear in the dissolution of atoms, for when death occurs the soul has already left the body."

[@malibooo]

They knew about atoms back then? Fascinating

[@realemperorkuzco]

​@@malibooo Well, not exactly the atoms we know now. In fact, our word for atoms originated from that "version" of atom.

[@BanzodoAndarilho]

there was a brilliant philosopher named Democritus, and he proposed the Greek word atomos, which means uncuttable. And so as he explained, all matter was eventually reducible to discrete, small particles or atomos.@@malibooo

[@markomaras6495]

This School of Life series is really brave, I love it! They aren't afraid of oversimplifying, as long as the message gets across. And it's always a very humane message.

[@Zerofire18]

I need to find some damn friends!

[@melexdy]

Sup!

[@Damirrea]

Zerofire18 me tooo 😩😩

[@DFX1126]

Same problem :P

[@saurabh32able]

Yeah on internet ! I m searching 4 them for yrs

[@today20080523]

same here. been living with shallow short-term "friendships" my entire life. might as well start something truer.

[@JohnBelchamber]

What a wonderful series of videos. Epicurus has so much to teach us all today.

[@lineikatabs]

Things haven't changed a lot since Epicurus' times. It's fascinating.

[@TheKinix13]

I would have been happy to have a friend like Epicurus.

[@wanderingsoul1189]

Rarest breed, that I never found in ages.

[@AlexLopez-yk6qu]

I wish we would learn more about the Buddha and Epicurus in school. This consumerist culture is sickening. Christianity or Christendom as a whole seems to be opposed to this way of living even though Jesus basically taught the same things. Like doing more good for others and not worrying about the future, all these things DO make us happier and it's even backed by science. If people took them to heart the reign of Capitalist vampires would end.

[@christophercheck1590]

I mean, Jesus basically gathered all his friends together and went traveling though the Judaean countryside spreading a message of repentance and community. He had some things to say about wealth, money, and the journey to heaven (a Jewish substitute for Epicurus' "ataraxia"). I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't have some Epicurean experiences when he was younger that influenced his particular flavor of apocalyptic preaching. Saul of Tarsus was totally a Stoic, though.

[@djmaydraws3862]

Alex Lopez the difference being epicureans main goal was the pleasing of themselves, self happiness. Therefore the prime concern was self. That’s in stark contrast to what Jesus taught, who held emphasis on virtues but the MOTIVE being to please God, and secondary motive to express love for others. This occasionally meant having to do things that would be an obstacle to happiness, such as persecution and martyrdom. Many first century Christians were arrested and killed because they were taught to proclaim the ministry of Jesus even where the law forbade it. Jesus taught a self sacrificing attitude while Epicurean teaching held self interest and happiness as the primary concern

[@Handlelesswithme]

Nice try knowing capitalist they probably attempt to sell it to you

[@hendalagedonsumanaratne8669]

@@djmaydraws3862 "Epicurean teaching held self interest and happiness as the primary concern" but as a community not individually with selfish attitude. That is how I understand it.

[@connorsmith764]

Epicurus says to find and endulge in whatever brings you the most satisfaction. Jesus says deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. You couldn't find two people more diametrically opposed.

[@luciannelea50]

that’s really what i want in my life. a quiet home on the french countryside with my friends as my neighbors and a lover, spending my days reading, writing, and painting, and going down to the beach to walk past the bustling lives of people and find calm in the mediterranean sea

[@luciannelea50]

AT Complete SS because everyone’s idealized lifestyle is to work. this is idealized, not something that’s necessarily achievable lmfao. maybe if I get super rich or win the lottery or something or maybe when i retire

[@PaulJackino]

GOAL: meet people who have watched this and make friends of one another, starting here... at least...three? how about five?

[@Raw_naq]

am i late?

[@vigneshbaburaj]

Raw naq too late, I guess.

[@vampiresvszombies9298]

I'm late to the party, but guess what, I'm in!

[@joeywantstoplay]

@@vampiresvszombies9298 me too....where do i sign in? are there name tags... or just togas?

[@henrik7553]

Bois we're philosophers i think, even if we ate late or live at different places, i think we would be pretty cool with each other.

[@davefischer2344]

I think what makes us happy is being free of anxiety, as well as having full awareness, and not being numb

[@Catholictomherbert]

Basically containing a clear mind set of comas

[@davefischer2344]

tommy garcia ?

[@Catholictomherbert]

+Dave Fischer it's a pun heh heh

[@davefischer2344]

oh ok, i was like, what are you saying?

[@Catholictomherbert]

+Dave Fischer it's basically if everyone human being were in a comatose state being than you would have a clear mind of awareness mentally while the body is numb physically now do you understand

[@RobSmith2016]

I'm really enjoying these videos from the School of life.

[@slmnkh]

Alain de Botton mr alain, you are the man! your school of life has helped me so much! thank you!

[@PaulJackino]

As am I...I see you commented this five months ago, do you still watch the videos? I just started..

[@KetanSingh]

My favourite philosopher

[@pauloamw]

I'm an epicurist and didn't know it.

[@davidnagy7478]

So was Epicurus!

[@liliyalilac2306]

daipaulig ✋

[@ElizabethLopez-kk7sf]

SAME LMAO

[@xXMrMineLPXx]

I mean its a bit more complex than stated in this video tho^^

[@leohino9211]

I always thought an epicurean is someone who enjoys good food.

[@wimvaughdan7032]

Hmm... Sound doesn't seem to work. Let's turn the volume up a bit. THIS IS A PHILOSOPHER WHO HELPS US THINK ABOUT...!!!

[@dannypenaloza4160]

Epicurus Is My Homeboy!! Best Philosopher! 1) Friends, 2)Freedom, & 3)Thought by having an Analyze Life!! = Happiness Plus Pleasure is the highest good

[@Cinemaniac96]

What's fascinating is I've seen many of these ideas thrown around recently in online communities: the desire to live a simple life in the country with some friends and a good amount of time off to pursue your interests; rejecting the hustle for luxury etc. These lessons really show how similar people are now to people who lived centuries ago

[@ninjaguava]

Epicurus's ideas on happiness have greatly improved my life But then again, so has Schopenhauer. What?!

[@jway9097]

Simple: there no ONE ideology that works all the tune. You need to pick and choose what to use at any given moment, as they're just tools and not the one-and-only way to be.

[@flymrpie1]

I think this video changed my life around.

[@rivvle]

I was convinced that I was too tired to go out with my friends in the evening and when my friend called I turned him down. This video changed my mind. :)

[@Uluru9737]

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

[@MrLibas007]

Please bare in mind that among your viewers, there also Greek people. When you said about what Epicurus used to eat; bread, olives and cheese, and then instead of feta cheese you showed a picture of Camembert cheese, something inside me broke man.

[@theschooloflifetv]

We agree! That's terrible. We adore Greece - and know it well. The error is absurd and we apologise.

[@theeverydayalpha]

Ha ha ha. I’m from Sierra Leone and even I winced for some reason when I saw the cheese! An eye for details lol

[@nonenone-wk8qk]

Bear in mind, not bare.

[@nonenone-wk8qk]

A broke Greek person......how ironic.

[@bigredracingdog466]

@@nonenone-wk8qk "Bare in mind" reminds me of some people I've met.

[@vagabundorkchaosmagick-use2898]

This made me cry. What I want most in life are my friends back, but they have all been scattering through the country, we never get together to have some olives, bread and cheese, and just spend time laughing and talking. That's the best thing in the world, why can't we have more of that? It's not that hard, it's very easy.

[@thelostcosmonaut5555]

The comedian Michael Che once said: “I’d rather be liked than loved. Nobody murdered someone because they liked them...because they thought they were cool.”

[@amac5455]

I love calm and quiet, gardening, books, cats, cooking, sometimes friends, good movie, swimming, sometimes work hard:)

[@Jersey.D3vil201]

I decided to live the Epicuruian live before I even knew who he was. I live within my means so I don't have to work (I went into the military at 17 and served for 20 years). I do the things that I enjoy (I went back to school because I enjoy learning. That's it, that's all). I don't care about luxury or anything like that. I was just want to be at peace and happy....I think I'm well on my way. I watch others my age killing themselves to drive BMWs, to live in a McMansion, to have a fancy position at work, and guess what? They are the most stressed out, unhappy, miserable people I know. The way I live my life rubs people the wrong way for some reason; I wish I knew why.

[@Siss2012]

Tamiko E because by your example you inadvertently expose the hollowness and phoniness of their lives and they get triggered!

[@bigredracingdog466]

It took me until age 45 to find a career I enjoyed. I derived great satisfaction from it and an above average standard of living. I retired not because I no longer wanted to work, but because I no longer had the energy for it.

[@TheThinkerBodyMindSpirit]

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems , concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, logic and language. It is the rational investigation of the truths and principles. There are two main reasons people study philosophy. The first is simple curiosity, and the love of wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight. Meaning , Philosophy comes from our consciousness , When the people started become curious about everything in this world . We started to questioning, like What, Who , and How. That is why religion , science , and beliefs exist because of our thoughts , or consciousness. If you think deeply , everything in this world like, innovation ,technology , and inventions starts with a questions , questions that originated from our thoughts , questions that may answer a problem . Without our consciousness no one will exist ,our society will not gonna move and grow . Philosophy addresses problems and questions , that arise in all areas of human thought and experience , and in all disciplines. What does it mean? Meaning if someone invent and create, or initiate something, a new questions will arise , This is why I love Philosophy, because it is the balance of everything, and no one wins . I think, therefore something exist 😍

[@coweatsman]

Epicurus is about my favourite philosopher. His insights on consumerism not only relevant today but even more relevant. Robert Pirsig, the author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance would be an interesting philosopher for an episode.

[@heyyyjuliiie]

This is so true. Tangible things don't really make a person genuinely happy. It just fills the empty parts of a person temporarily :))

[@astronautonroad1]

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?” ― Epicurus

[@breatheeasily4013]

He is able and willing but humans free will talks loud.

[@POVskimboarding]

Does evil serve no purpose? If so, the quote is irrelevant as it would prove why god would not prevent it from existence.

[@wdavis6814]

Friendship is purer than relationships. Epicurus is a truth teller!

[@lonewolvey5230]

Most of the people (society) think happiness means only having romantic or sexual relationships. But eventually Epicurus looked around and saw so many unhappy couples, the unions marked by jealousy, misunderstanding, cheating and bitterness, which could keep brings us into more complicated things instead of happiness. At the same time, he observed how much nicer friendships are, How people tend to be so decent and unpossessive with their friends. Friendship seemed to be human nature -- that's the first thing you need to be around.

[@glowiever]

I felt the same way back when I was in a remote boarding school. just me and the boys learning life skill and doing sports and schoolwork. pretty much the happiest moment in my life. it also helped that the school was located atop of a mountain.

[@bolivar1789]

I was just thinking that more than 2300 years had to pass after this, for Alain to be born and build up the only school on earth where you can learn " how to live"!! You can have all your degrees from the best universities in the world, you won't learn the most little bit of this. Not even in the philosophy department I bet. Definitely not this way. Strange world, huh? So thanks a lot!

[@bolivar1789]

Alain de Botton Thanks for your answer Alain. I definitely will come by. Next time I have a chance to go to London or to Istanbul! I also would like to buy some books and one "Donald" for my little niece. Have a nice trip next month to Turkey, where there are so many young people who appreciate your work.

[@janabakunina2300]

***** You can buy his wonderful books on Amazon :-) And I agree with you - he was born just in time and I am very fortunate to have "discovered" him

[@bolivar1789]

Jana Bakunina Thanks a lot Jana! I have read some of his books. And they are all worth re-reading too. Best wishes to you!

[@SamPhappalapa]

It's (another) good time to be born - Alain is a resource this world deeply needs

[@dhidhi1000]

***** I don't quite agree with you. While this ideas are not wildely spread out through our society, mostly because philosophy is underrated, I guess it's reasonable to argue that philosophy students themselves are well aware of this ways of seeing life proposed by other philosophers.

[@TomboTime]

can confirm this mentality works. I live a very minimalist lifestyle where whenever a splurge on my spending i buy experiences rather than material things (with a few exceptions). I spend my spare time either doing creative things or hanging out with friends and i have a job where i really feel like i'm making a difference. it's not ALWAYS sunshine and rainbows but i've never been so consistently happy in my life.

[@yomytv7823]

please keep volume of your videos a bit higher.. i have to reach out for a pair of heaphones everytime i dig into the school of life.

[@kaitlynzuniga]

glad im not the only one who thinks so

[@yomytv7823]

+kaitlyn zuniga too much metal has taken its toll on my ears \m/

[@kaitlynzuniga]

+yomytv couldn't relate more haha!

[@JoDic]

true

[@yomytv7823]

;-)

[@brohit2500]

This video is a gem in today's world, really goes to tell us that you don't need a lot of things to be happy

[@timbojtimboj]

I find these videos so satisfying, keep em coming!

[@Madhuwellness]

Epicurus philosophy - Calmness, simplicity, community living and sharing

[@dannypenaloza4160]

Epicurus is My Homeboy!!!!

[@fildip]

We have this in Denmark! They are called Højskoler - rural schools for adults, living spaces, lots of socializing, food provided, no exams. They are not free but they are cheeper then living normally.

[@mr.cifuentes1779]

Cheese. Philosophy books. That is all.

[@prudencedryburgh9121]

My friend has been sharing these clips. I love their simplicity and accessibility and inspiration. I live in New Zealand and happened to be in London on an existential angst mission last week. Watched Heidegger in the kitchen in the morning, then was wandering around Bloomsbury and by chance into your shop later in the day - all because Kings Cross station was closed. I love it when ideas and opportunities come together - the unfolding of my own universe! I attended a 'School of Life ' workshop on 'How to be Calm' on Tuesday night and have read a couple of books I bought in your shop. I'm back in NZ. I'm not sure how to convey this with depth and gravitas and meaning and feeling - two very simple words - Thank you.

[@turicaederynmab5343]

Do you ever wish you could've grown up in Ancient Greece?

[@ihala2141]

Turi Caederynmab no because i'd probably be a slave

[@jimjim3979]

I am Greek and I am proud to have Greek racines because Greeks made substantial steps for improvement of this world but the percentage of slaves was really high and even if you were a citizen, you wouldn't stand a chance to prosper if your perception weren't altogether relatable to the others. If you weren't mentally cultivated you were bound to live a life with several drawbacks

[@interconnectedhere]

Wow. The entire world needs to spend 5 minutes of their life to watch this. Thank you School of Life!

[@ivescupino1750]

Aww :) Epicurus seems like such a sweet dude!

[@tsvetansirmanov7773]

I studied Physics in order to better understand modern philosophy, as well I scanned the works of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Hegel and other thinkers in hope to learn more about God's existence. However, being themselves only humans, they could not give much knowledge. At last I met the Bible. The effect was like turning on a powerful lamp in a dark room.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

Christ Be With You...

[@wilcas5349]

Hey Alain, I love your channel and I am really thankful for everything I am learning here, however there is something that bothers me a bit in all the videos, and it is that the volume is not high enough. I put it in max volume in my laptop and the sound is not enough to be a little far from my computer. I hope this feedback helps.

[@illyavogel1660]

+Wilfredo Casas I think that you audio system is butt friend, I hear just fine.

[@wilcas5349]

+Illya Vogel I hear just fine also when I am attentive to the videos, the problem is when I want to cook and hear it through the noise of other things. Volume is relatively low compared to other youtube videos.

[@illyavogel1660]

Alright I see now, might wanna try something like DFX to enhance audio a bit or just upgrade to a louder sound system. www.fxsound.com/

[@doremi.moisan.2355]

+Wilfredo Casas exacly the same for me... as i was cooking i had to put my headphones on :)

[@David-wg7iq]

+Wilfredo Casas Mine has the ability to blow out my ear drums but yes it is a little low.

[@maggieou1080]

Imagine being able to hang out with friends all day! Must be nice :))

[@VallyX17]

The art of living well and the art of dying well are one. Epicurus

[@Crymble]

I'm addicted to these videos. I've watched them every now and then when recommended, but I've started at the bottom and I will watch all of them

[@VictorSimonestech]

Please make a video on Socrates

[@ahmadragabel-sayed407]

in more than 10 years using youtube this is my first comment: I LOVED this video

[@wanderingsoul1189]

😊

[@boris12667]

You've done Epicurus and the Stoics. How about one on the Cynics to complete the trio?

[@Molotov49]

The Cynics were literally insane. Their founder was a homeless bum.

[@komel-hisn1064]

Mike Liberty amen

[@JosephDeLosSantos-t3m]

They’re literally shit, but it’d be good to see their perspective on life.

[@amgjc]

Yet he gave Alexander a hell of a response!!!

[@MuhammadAli-gd7rc]

Boris Leyfer good Analysis.

[@Crisss36]

Happiness can be felt after feeling extremely angry. The feeling is chemical in the mind…if you manage your emotion. If you don’t you feel something you expressed upon.

[@5micky2]

No more sex orgies! Oh my god, how will I cope?

[@AlexGoldhill]

You can still have your sex orgies, just don't try to use them as a gateway to happiness.

[@EarlyDissectionEdits]

Alex Goldhill very well said, Alex.

[@someone5383]

You shouldnt tho

[@muralin239]

+5micky2...... Whatever works for you man....Just do whatever works for you....But the moment you don't enjoy that move on...just don't get obsessed with it...

[@recordstore2265]

Who knows. If it was the era that was along ago finding happiness was different way to other place time and culture

[@clashpaper]

I definitely relate after hearing the idea. People push so hard for getting married and living with that person solely, and while you see it apparently succeed, I've definitely seen it go so badly. My happiest living situations were when I was living in student houses or working summer camps. It's sad to thing that everyone else in those situations were only using that as a stepping stone before moving on to the thing they where actually aiming for.

[@patrickkinnear8625]

I wonder if I would ever have the strength of will to create my own happiness.

[@cutkeybrucejr1]

That litterally bought a tear to my eye

[@jamesmckean3221]

Makes me want to live in a house with all my friends. Perhaps student houses are the epitome of Epicurean living?

[@troylongriffinii9277]

Can you guys please do a video on metaphysics? I feel like you guys would perfectly describe it and make it more understandable

[@harnoorkaur6078]

Who is like me who is watching this but not understanding what they are saying

[@PaulJackino]

This is why he is known and there is a video about him viewed so many times and liked so many times.

[@ruisenoir]

Where can I find more about the "Epicurean commune" ?

[@LuluLulu-qk2pv]

There is a company called WeLive that is putting young professionals in dorm-like buildings so they're not so lonely in large cities. They could be onto something →→→ jezebel.com/welive-is-tricking-adults-into-living-in-dorms-1768973345

[@satnamo]

Love is a friendship inspires by beauty and truth and sustains by loving kindness. The rule of friendship means that there must be a mutual understanding between them; each supplying what the other lacks and trying to benefit the other. Always using sincere and friendly words. Therefore, the expressions of love must be kind and gentle; not some diamonds in the sky.

[@Invictus131313]

The smaller the government, the bigger the community. The bigger the government, the smaller the community.

[@koolyman]

Community governance?

[@dstinnettmusic]

Define government and community

[@Invictus131313]

David Stinnett Government is who we vote for to represent us. Community is organizations like churches, youth clubs, football teams, charity organizations, and other volunteer organizations. When government gets too big, people begin to look to the government rather than these local organizations to fill society's social needs. Furthermore, people look at the government with EXPECTATIONS, and ENTITLEMENTS. Whereas they look at community organizations with grateful hearts and thankfulness. The bigger the government, the smaller the community.

[@dstinnettmusic]

+Steve Bennett Can you name examples to back up that point? Based on my assumption of your definition of "big" and "small" by every measure we have more and larger "community organizations" as the government has gotten "bigger". There are more charities, youth sports, clubs, and even churches (not even to mention mega churches and new religious movements) than say, the 1920's when the government was far "smaller" Moreover China has youth organizations, monasteries, and many other examples which you named. What am getting at here is that your notions and definitions are being informed by ideological ft rather than the other way around, which in my view us a more correct way to look at the world. Lastly I challenge your notion of entitlement, if society exists at all it exists to ensure that people may not exist below a certain level. If the "community" isn't meeting the needs of everyone then what is the alternative?

[@dstinnettmusic]

+Steve Bennett are not political parties volunteer organizations which defy your definitions? Do they not get to the root of what government is for, the function by which "the community" meets together to solve social problems? Is that not the purpose of a democratic republic? I don't mean to pick on you I just don't feel you've thought this through this beyond the most shallow ideological level leading to a reactionary political ethic

[@tasnubasiddiqui6836]

In popular parlance, Epicureanism means devotion to pleasure, comfort, and high living, with a certain nicety of style. Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based on the teachings of Epicurus, founded around 307 B.C. It teaches that the greatest good is to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquillity, freedom from fear ("ataraxia"), and absence from bodily pain ("aponia").

[@TheMusicLauncher]

But you need to consider what Epicur meant with "joy", he didn't mean to use drugs or to whore around. He meant to find "higher joy", having fun with your friends, having fun in your job, truely loving life was his answer to a happy life.

[@animatorwannabe0019]

DO A VIDEO ON KANT?

[@projectkordamye1361]

+The School of Life Can you please provide a written version of this video's content for the hearing impaired? I have a deaf nephew who would enjoy this video.

[@ephesusrh4780]

+Project Kordamye please help with this

[@Molotov49]

He kan't.

[@elputamen]

And thats why college years are the best

[@hotfever]

alright lets do this. just need friends and an island.

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

For those who want hedonism as orgies and drugs go check Aristippus of Cyrene. Epicurus is a later critique and correction of Aristippus philosophy which argued that happiness was more or less physical pleasure