Epicurus Life and Philosophy

[@Over-Boy42]

It's honestly astonishing how relevant Epicurus still is today. Guess it just shows that true wisdom is timeless.

[@bulldog3512]

How many of you are learning more from lectures like this then when you were actually in class just to get a grade? It’s amazing how much and how fast I learn when I want to! This lecturer is also amazing, Ty!

[@wescecil3920]

Epicurus was well ahead of the curve in the natural sciences. I think it would be fair to say that he was working out the correct approach to the sciences. This is a major achievement within the context of the times. Thank you for the kind comment.

[@jackdarby2168]

Do the indian guys!! Charvaga Brihaspathi etc

[@jackdarby2168]

Epicureans sound like friends of Sam Harris

[@yummyyoda9315]

Throughly Epicurus is amazing and well advanced in his thoughts in science and Philosophy. This is maybe influenced by his Platonist and Democritusian Teachers.

[@yarazooom]

Epicurus might reply to the example of a 'pleasure' gained from torturing & killing children: there is no TRANQUILITY or peace gained by their action. as a student of sociology & criminality, I see no evidence that TED BUNDYs & modern pedophiles have ANY tranquility as their actions are based on an ADDICTION to their own endorphins. they never can stop the craving. that 'craving' is not pleasure or tranquility. so that is a POOR EXAMPLE to put on Epicurus

[@cheri238]

I love all your lectures, Professor Wes Cecil. With the deepest appreciation and respect for your education. ❤

[@KCQUANN]

I like Wesley Cecil' analogies - he makes listening and learning enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

[@MaddyIndia]

Which university? Hello from 9 years after.

[@user-lr6yq6il7m]

This was really great!! I have been listening to two lectures now, so valuable, can't believe we can enjoy this for free. I am going to listen to all of these. Thank you so much Wes Cecil!!!

[@richardwerbrock7238]

Kkmkkmol

[@dalanium98]

Major learning points: maitain equanimity by keeping a small circle of friends and distancing yourself from society. differentiate natural needs from needs manufactured by society use reason to free yourself from being a slave to your emotions FRIENDS FRIENDS FRIENDS pleasure=absence of pain

[@bebeezra]

*Most important learning points 2.0* ✅ Turn your obnoxious phone off during a lecture. ✅ Save your *"briliantly crafted"* points and tangential questions *no one came to hear,* for after the damn lecture - like preferably after the lights are off & everyone has went home. 👍

[@adrianortiz8751]

Oh and is something natural and necessary?

[@LoudPaintings]

this is a great summary

[@bebeezra]

*Additional tips for personal ataraxia and harmonious social tranquility.* ✅ Turn your obnoxious phone off during a lecture. ✅ Save your *"briliantly crafted"* points and tangential questions *no one came to hear,* for after the damn lecture - like preferably after the lights are off & everyone has went home. 👍

[@ribkakeflay2670]

I think Epicurus philosophy is the best way to go through life and I appreciate your explanation and humor. Thank you.

[@algernondammassa8675]

God, the phones. Messing with my ataraxia.

[@dragonballz2410]

This lecture of a proffesors voice in a classroom full of students puts me to sleep...it beats Nidra meditation for sure. I wonder how this comment relates to epicurean philosophies. I remember reading a comic book on Epic urus... and the teaching there was that the way to happiness is to start with one good deed. Then follow it up with another good deed following another good deed. If we continue this pattern we will multiply self fulfillment i.e. happiness in our life.

[@fuldagermany]

Saving this for the weekend ... should be a good experience ... never to late to continue learning the classical things in life. Sort of like taking college courses, for almost free.

[@xit1254]

It's incredible how far ahead of his time he was. In fact, he's ahead of our own time. I hope modern technology can find and decipher more of his writings. I wouldn't be surprised if some of his scientific theories are not as mistaken as suggested in the lecture.

[@gamingelementalist6725]

A lot of what I had read before listening to this lecture in context seem very accurate to what we know about the fundamentals of atoms at least.

[@-delilahlin-1598]

@@gamingelementalist6725 If you have the energy, would you please recommend me your sources? ☺️

[@blaiseoaklands9427]

Wes presentation whether fully accurate (impossible) is portrayed and delivered In a way. Like all his lectures In a way that I'm soo grateful for... No one has ever done it better ❤

[@santacruz01pca]

WOw! What a Professor!

[@video108video]

For the Epicureans freedom was very important. As such, sometimes we must enter into the agora, become involved in politics, stand up to various conquerors, and even fight for an idea sometimes, even if that disturbs our tranquility. I don't see how that is ever addressed in Epicurean philosophy. In other words, it's easy to say that it is pointless to care about the ever shifting kaleidoscope of warring factions who might take over your territory, but if some of those factions wish to curtail your freedoms, curtail your ability to peacefully live the examined life, or peacefully live anonymously in your garden, you're going to have to do something about it. I'm not clear that Epicurean philosophy convincingly addresses these types of issues, and thus, fails in the real world. I would love to be proven wrong because I have a lot of fondness for much in this philosophy.

[@robertpoen5383]

I agree with you and with your appreciation of Epi's philosophy, but is it possible the political change occurs in the garden community itself, among friends?

[@adrianortiz8751]

The lack of addressing politics and its effects in the present now merit more discussion. Remember Epicurus was a thinker, and a runner? Perhaps he didn't want to address war, slaves, and politics because it was something too big for him that would consume all his time and energy. If this is done as a sizeable group, it can definitely have the desired effect

[@mikeq5807]

Epicurus was on the right track, inner tranquility, equanimity, is in perfect consonance with the wisdom of the great sages. The fundamental elements in realizing such a state are bifold: meditation, or introspection, and subduing the ego. The spiritual prowess consists in navigating through the vicissitudes of life while remaining centered, as at the hub of the wheel of life, observing its activity (yang) from a place of stillness (yin).

[@qcnj9043]

If there is something you can do about it then do. For example you may move to some other place. But if you cannot then just accept it and move ahead.

[@post-structuralist]

This comment is a disservice to Epicurus. He does not even wish to throw his hat in that ring, and if you're fixated on the greater aspect of these politics, you'll lose a sense of proportion that he was talking about. If this is a criticism, it is terrible one. You're spooked, and this is exactly what he meant

[@konstantinosmei]

All of your videos "Life and Philosophy" are supernice!! Thank you

[@johndkastel7972]

Great comedian professor Why can't they make them like this. I suffered lackluster academia and this guy comes Doug Stanhope on us Love it !! There's mora this guy

[@scottybee33]

Dear Wes I actually love your older lectures b/c of the natural hall reverb and especially the audience reactions and laughter... obvi the downside is when the phone or coughs become a distraction.

[@TheGlass50]

An outstanding lecture Dr. Cecil. Thank you so much!

[@skeeterbodeen8326]

I’ve come back to this lecture often, thank u.

[@Semnyi]

Epicurius is my kind of philosopher. I have been listening to a few of these lectures by Wesley Cecil. #philosophy #prudence

[@desk00l]

i really enjoy the narrative style

[@loratemelkova6714]

I just found your channel and I love it! Thank you!

[@Apollexis]

This was absolutely lovely. There is no information or documentary that goes into great details about Epicurus' life. Thank you for uploading this.

[@asktheanswer424]

basically it doesn't always have to be YOU specifically, so don't stress but if you just have a lot of energy n u wanna do a good thing do it, try to do a act of kindness for the environment or for another person (also part of environment) every day, believe in the power of earnest heartfelt prayer and meditation

[@Vishal-ih3tc]

Love this lecture! My kinda philosophy.

[@mnhsty]

Herr Professor transmitted a lot of Epicurus' philosophy here, and very little of it was absolutely wrong, but I think the emphasis was frequently wrong and ultimately he missed some key points. If I were not aware of those key points, I would not appreciate Epicureanism nearly as much as I do. So if you found Epicureanism somewhat unattractive after listening to this, just be aware you got a somewhat distorted and incomplete version of it. Fortunately the original sources, are available online. They can be read in an afternoon (except Lucretius) and contemplated for a lifetime.

[@BeatingU1991]

I personally think that Epicurus point about self sacrifice and its unquestioned acceptance is more then valid. Typically people that sacrifice themselves for others are walked on and abused in the common world.

[@xit1254]

I love to hear the questions and his answers.

[@Anekantavad]

An excellent lecture, and a good illustration that "effective" and "stodgy" aren't necessarily the same thing in dealing with fairly involved topics.

[@asktheanswer424]

full lung of air clear mind of thought why am i so ungrateful? when i slow down like this gratitude is no longer a word its a reality aye i am grateful for this old sahasrara river which flows for everyone everywhere if your heart is open, only to see it draw a flower halo in the air if you believe, you can be it love everyone one just for a different point of view with all our eyes we see together that everyone is you

[@asktheanswer424]

take the optimistic point of view, the world is full of moral people who are willing to rise to the challenge when good comes at stake and just to do good for its own sake, we cant always seem them right under our noses, but they are always around, somewhere, and without knowing it we all work together in some kind of chaotic order, though we will never unite under one name, we are united under one spirit which appears as many the flowers are diverse... but something about wildness is complete:)

[@BrandanLee]

You guys with the phone 4 years ago? You're interrupting my ataraxia across the years.

[@gamingelementalist6725]

4 years later for me too.

[@FozzyOverload]

The last time I took LSD I was on my own, sat through all of this watching Epicurus' face melt on my computer screen, then my ego died and I had to watch loads of Simpsons to calm down. Clean and sober ever since 😅

[@artofmusic303]

A lot of what Epicurus taught seems to overlap with stoicism, and the differences sometimes just seem like disagreements over words. Really, what is the differnce between Epicurean "prudence" and stoic "temperance"? And what is the difference between pursuing virtue because it's by definition a "higher good", and pursuing virtue because it brings you, on balance, more pleasure? The biggest real difference seems to be that Epicurus believed in withdrawing from public life,and stoics advocated the importance of fulfilling one's duty to civic life (also a very Roman principle).

[@IIVVBlues]

I found this lecture somewhat glib and simplistic. I can see its appeal to an audience, as yet unschooled in the Greek way of thought. I agree that tranquility seems a better translation than pleasure, but with wealth or power, tranquility carries a different perspective. To assume those with power cannot be tranquil seems to me a stretch. The polis cannot exist for the anonymous, passive, tranquil individual and his friends, without the leadership of powerful individuals administering, defending and upholding the state. Obviously power and wealth can be abused, but duty to a cause outside individual interest, such as the maintenance of social order, can bring far greater tranquility than oblivious passivity and ultimately does serve the individual interest.

[@jjmini]

I love listening to this guy

[@xiaodongwang7753]

Why was I directed here from an equally excellent lecture on Simone Weis (before that Simone de Beauvoir, Satre, etc.)? Is The Best Lecturer on Philosophy giving a tour de force of the whole thing? Like de Beauvoir and Satre and Nitsche and what’s the other philosopher who boldly pushes forward despite not know what’s life holds for him, I’ll continue to listen. Happily, I have Wes joking around and wising up and guiding me. 😊

[@JudyFayLondon]

Such a wonderful lecture. Thanks for sharing.

[@jackjones9380]

"we experience the world one person at a time" Epicurus

[@AravindanUmashankar]

Solid and Practical Philosophy.

[@jerrydemartin]

He's just flat out wrong about Epicurean physics, Some of what Epicurus posited in the third century BCE is cutting-edge 21st century thinking…like the concept of the multi-verse. Epicurus speculated that our cosmos may not be a singularity, but part of a larger -- perhaps even infinite -- number of cosmos. That the physical world is just an aggregate of atoms falling through the void of space… that's some pretty sharp thinking for this time.

[@gamingelementalist6725]

Finally found another comment on this. I'm guessing the philosophy professor just doesn't know physics. His comments on atoms are shockingly accurate. He even had an idea of photons and waves and vibrations. The law of the conservation of mass. The high probability of extra terrestrial life. It's amazing that someone deduced this logically 2,300 years ago through reasoning more than evidence.

[@tonykelsi8865]

great lecture.

[@ultimoguerreiro82]

Great class. Thank you.

[@KjiehTV]

Loved this so much!!

[@effigyguy]

‘Bout to get my philosophy on…WHOOP-WHOOP! (hand held high in anticipation of a reciprocal high 5)

[@AudioPervert1]

I really dig the philosophy of Epicurus .. Yet sometimes I wonder, if all this is or was true, especially since the nature of information (extraneous data) that has travelled thousand plus year ...

[@cheri238]

Great one, Thank you.

[@cloudage2956]

Gratuitous reduction of Epicurus' philosophy to one sentence: "Don't let your mellow get harshed."

[@martinaakervik]

I really like this lecture. If learning can be entertaining, this was. I've come back to it again and again. I just wonder. I thought philosopher in ancient Greece was coming from families with status and money/power, so relatively poor parents is that really a fact or guessing/a theory?

[@TheRebeccap82]

Very engaging lecture! Thank you :)

[@AquaPisces1]

Thank you.

[@alan2here]

Maybe Zues should listen to Epicurus.

[@mef1975]

I think problems of desire come from oppression.

[@mikebowman9844]

Excellent lecture

[@davidfagan2640]

I really like the lecture village life is what is missing in modern life we are not experience life because of stuff lie of I must be popular with All and not enjoying life we suffer massive loneliness in city's of millions and have better relationship with device than people.live today tomorrow is to late be now

[@jessewallace12able]

Thanks for posting thus. Refreshing philosophy. Pre socratic. Yes.

[@leonfth]

Αctually,post Socratic

[@ThatBoomerDude]

If you think laughing, per se, in class is bad, then you can just go and sit by yourself in a corner and not bother to learn anything about reality.

[@ToddSmith1]

why not use the word "serenity"?

[@publicme]

Epicurus seems like an early pragmatist. No moral system but looks at the outcomes of actions and aims for productive actions.

[@johnjohns3888]

Excellent!! Thanks.

[@neocount6397]

If you don't want to be diabetic, only eat animal products. No sugar. Natural. I'm a type 1 diabetic, eating meat, eggs and cheese (rarely if ever). I don't need insulin and am stronger and healthy than I ever thought possible. We've been in this form for over one hundred thousand years, most Agriculture is relatively new. All plants are essentially sugar. Your pancreas still works, just not for that. Don't worry the animal forms of vitamins are much more easily absorbed, as they are already converted. Vitamin C + Zinc = Collagen. That's what you really need and why the inuit don't get scurvy. Europeans didn't exactly evolve with Oranges. Heck even broccoli is only 500 years old. I hope this helps.

[@sharjesm]

Awesome lecture. But don't you think he probably got most of it right with the natural sciences. Maybe not technically, but basically? Especially compared to other philosophers. I would like your opinion on that.

[@gamingelementalist6725]

I absolutely thought that from what I read of his logical conclusions on atomic structure and photons and vibrations. Made perfect sense, but maybe a philosophy professor didn't understand those concepts themselves to begin with?

[@prashantchaudhary2569]

thanks for another good lecture

[@LoudPaintings]

he mentions the next lecture being on Stoicism. Was that one ever released?

[@Joehalfadolla]

Philosophy should be taught in of school. Through it our young might learn not what to think but how to think. Instead American has sold out to Paul who has led us to ignorance is which is the lack of knowledge.

[@vk250958]

Thanks.

[@ThatBoomerDude]

Yes, I know what an orgy is. And NO, the lecture does NOT say that they are "believed to have had orgies in the garden." What he ACTUALLY says is that, based upon Epicurus' tendency to include both women and slaves, it COULD have been ASSUMED that he was having orgies in the garden. The lecturer was clearly using hyperbole to emphasize the fact that it was uncommon at the time to include women and slaves in philosophical discussions. Do you know what hyperbole is?

[@dalecouch1995]

seems Epicurus thought happiness was comprised of contentment.

[@wallysmith9162]

Listening to all of this Philosophy has made me hongry.

[@alexrafter]

Great lecture.

[@stevebaryakovgindi]

Is the reading list of items read out in the lecture available for download ? Great Lecture!

[@sveborkrcelic5965]

What a boss.

[@asktheanswer424]

good in combination with yoga and the yamas (moral guidelines)

[@PraetorClaudius]

The first Lebowski.

[@oscarjones2346]

Please go to the site of the truth contest and it will change your insight of philosophy forever

[@Atheneon]

Do you have instagram

[@hewasfuzzywuzzy3583]

Great professor. Excellent lecture. Horribly rude students. How many phones going off because of "important people" in class? Too many and too often that's what.

[@ocamtille9114]

The phones ringing are very annoying

[@robertburnett5561]

This hurts In Thailand. Much pleasures. Too costly. Lost control of money. Tranquility gone for now. Mr. Ep. yes.

[@ForksandFreaks]

Does anyone know the letter that pertained to this part at 39:47 ?

[@gamingelementalist6725]

I'm still reading things from him but it's probably Menoikos because it definitely wasn't Herodotus.

[@ForksandFreaks]

@@gamingelementalist6725 Thank you, I’ll have to look into it and see what I can find.

[@Aljabarty92]

All he's saying is bury your head in the sand for a while and try to enjoy it in the mean time.

[@chemquests]

Time until what? His claim is that there’s all that is. خالد عبد الوهاب الجبرتي

[@moonmarie281]

Epicurus is my heart. This guy says, " Why else would you invite women and slaves? You certainly aren't talking to them." Crowd laughs... Am I missing something? This seems ignorant. Women and slaves can't speak?

[@earthwaterairspiritfireleb5482]

Wisdom is fun

[@RunningCordoroy]

If what this man is saying is true, I find it odd that Epicurus beliefs about, "gods" would be motivated by the fear of being branded a heretic, solely because I thought Epicurus' point of view was that there really isn't anything to fear. Either he was motivated by something else, his belief is not compatible with his practical life, he's a looney, or I'm wrong. That's my 2 cents.

[@marcopersia9956]

Well actually the rational reason why he supported the idea of the existence of gods was that it is witnessed by the enargeia (sensitive knowledge): it is written in the Letter to Menoikeus. The issue is pretty long to explain but know that there is historical evidence that some Epicurean philosophers were even priests

[@ThatBoomerDude]

Are you lying about the lecture? Or did you not listen closely enough to the lecture to understand what was being said? He never said that Epicurus (or his students) "had sex in a garden."

[@madamedellaporte4214]

Why does Mr Cecil talk of Macedonians as if they were not Greeks? Like Dorians, Ionians , Aeolians etc, they were Greeks.

[@earthwaterairspiritfireleb5482]

*tzedakah ballet - ending suffering world wide*

[@dichotomyofone]

His audience needs to turn those damn phones off and quit asking questions out loud before he's finished. smh

[@ManicBoii39]

Imma start clapping for my professors. Lol. They'll be so confused. HAHA

[@aMulliganStew]

7:43 What's that sound??? :)

[@aMulliganStew]

+Alex Windsor ...whilst discussing tranquility. That's way more cool than I could've ever been.

[@ThatBoomerDude]

Two other items of note: (1) The lecturer states within the lecture that the garden was at Epicurus' home, so you have no point to make about that. (2) You are apparently ignorant of both how to use an apostrophe in the English language and how to spell "orgies." Your effectiveness at attempting to correct other people is diminished by these kinds of shortcomings. I recommend you rectify defects like that if you wish to be taken seriously. (Just a suggestion.)

[@dmimcg]

Epicurus would have driven a Prius if he lived today, not a beemer.

[@benjaminrobinson965]

he would have driven what ever he wanted . . .

[@asktheanswer424]

the philosophy of karma

[@Cinepobrefilmfestival]

poor audio

[@ericadler9680]

You quickly reach the limits of this kind of thinking: Like, responsibility for your children, for society in general and for your nation, and for future generations, and the value of truth, this cannot be answered by Epicurus.

[@Ggeorgiev89]

And how do you know you are doing the right thing for all that you mentioned? Responsibility for children? Being very involved in their lives is it an absolute good? Responsibility for your nation? Like Hitler..?

[@ericadler9680]

@@Ggeorgiev89 Are you drunk? Sober up before you write something. And what's that stupid mention of Hitler?

[@Ggeorgiev89]

@@ericadler9680 As I am drank why bother reasoning with me?

[@ericadler9680]

@@Ggeorgiev89 SHUT UP

[@gamingelementalist6725]

@Patricia Palmer exactly. It's about finding joy in those things listed without losing yourself in them. Asking what the most worthwhile path is as you walk down it. Raising children is a great pleasure, for example.

[@wolfdwarf]

rip headphones.

[@Bonzowaite]

I wish that person would turn their mobile telephone off! very rude.

[@chowhan13]

Why I'm hearing only girls laugh

[@chemquests]

uday chowhan their higher pitch probably; it’s an indication of the microphones in use

[@chowhan13]

@@chemquests because they are attention seekers..

[@charleshowie2074]

I hope the person with the phone was crucified.

[@Aljabarty92]

I must point out the other side of the reality that we live in (it's an Islamic thing): the existent of fine tuning in nature, mercy, love of good, even beauty...etc.(and its Merciful Creator) should make you hopeful, only after you believe in God and that he sent messengers to mankind (in our case in this day and age; would be the last proven messenger: prophet Muhammad PBUH). So fear, among other forces, should make you do good and in turn you await (reasonable hope) something good to happen to you in this life and eventually Paradise and that's the best way to live your life.

[@benjaminrobinson965]

no, thats a human thing. . .

[@Aljabarty92]

I was responding to an earlier comment I wrote. But alright, a human thing it is then, good humans though.