Epicureans and Stoics-LHP 4-5. Weiner 6, 12. Rec: FL 7-8. HWT 6-8. Select midterm report presentation topic & date: indicate on Sep 10 your 1st and 2d choices for date and topic in the comments space below "Midterm Report Presentations"
2. How is the modern meaning of "epicurean" different from Epicurus's? Do you consider yourself epicurean in either sense of the term?
3. What famous 20th century philosopher echoed Epicurus's attitude towards death? Do you agree with him?
4. How did Epicurus respond to the idea of divine punishment in the afterlife? Is the hypothesis of a punitive and torturous afterlife something you take seriously, as a real possibility? Why or why not?
5. What was the Stoics' basic idea, and what was their aim? Are you generally stoical in life?
6. Why did Cicero think we shouldn't worry about dying? Is his approach less or more worrisome than the Epicureans'?
7. Why didn't Seneca consider life too short? Do you think you make efficient use of your time? How do you think you could do better?
- What was Kepos? What did Voltaire say we should cultivate? What do you think that means, philosophically?
- What inscription greeted visitors to Epicurus's compound? And Plato's Academy? Which would you personally find more inviting?
- Whose side in School of Athens was Epicurus on, and why? Do you agree?
- What is tetrapharmakos, and how might it help you distinguish Epicurus from Epictetus?
- Every life is what, according to Epicurus? Do you agree that this is grounds for celebration?
- Which American founding father declared "I too am an Epicurean"?
- What does Eric think happens if you follow the "good enough" creed?
- A common Stoic exhortation is... ? What is its core teaching? Do you think this is too passive?
- What did Diogenes learn from philosophy?
- What does it mean to say Stoics are not Spock?
- What did Epictetus have in common with Socrates?
- What is premeditatio malorum? Do you agree with Eric's daughter's assessment of it? Or with his, of her?
- What's "the View from Above"? Does it help you put events in your life in a better perspective?
- Have you experienced the death of someone close to you? How did you handle it?
- Do you care about the lives of those who will survive you, after you've died? Is their continued existence an alternate (and possibly better) way of thinking about the concept of an "afterlife"?
- Do you consider Epicurus's disbelief in immortal souls a solution to the problem of dying, or an evasion of it? Do you find the thought of ultimate mortality consoling or mortifying?
- How do you know, or decide, which things you can change and which you can't?
- Were the Stoics right to say we can always control our attitude towards events, even if we can't control events themselves?
- Is it easier for you not to get "worked up" about small things you can't change (like the weather, or bad drivers) or large things (like presidential malfeasance and terrorist atrocites)? Should you be equally calm in the face of both?
- Is it possible to live like a Stoic without becoming cold, heartless, and inhumane?
- What do you think of when you hear the word "therapy"? Do you think philosophers can be good therapists?
- Do you think "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" is an appropriate goal in life? Can it be effectively pursued by those who shun "any direct involvement in public life"?
- If the motion of atoms explains everything, can we be free?
- Is it true that your private thoughts can never be "enslaved"?
Epicureanism: The Original Party School
Permanent Link to this Comic: https://existentialcomics.com/comic/133
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Philosophers in this comic: Epictetus. In The Enchiridion Epictetus gives the advice that in order to avoid suffering, we should not become too attached to particular things, so that when they inevitably end we are not caused undue harm. He starts with the fairly straightforward example of a cup that we like breaking:
With regard to whatever objects give you delight, are useful, or are deeply loved, remember to tell yourself of what general nature they are, beginning from the most insignificant things. If, for example, you are fond of a specific ceramic cup, remind yourself that it is only ceramic cups in general of which you are fond. Then, if it breaks, you will not be disturbed.
He then proceeds immediately to what seems a quite more drastic example:
If you kiss your child, or your wife, say that you only kiss things which are human, and thus you will not be disturbed if either of them dies.
Some may find that living in such a way is strange, to say the least.
Permanent Link to this Comic: https://existentialcomics.com/comic/264
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Stoicism Man...The Next Great Stoic competition... Stoic apathy
Over the years I've made a few slideshows (see "Oliver's slideshows" in the sidebar). Here's one:
Tetrapharmakos
The etymology of “tetrapharmakos” is quite simple: “tetra” means “four” and “pharmakos” means “remedy” or “medicine.” They are both Greek words.
Originally, the term refers to a compound of four actual drugs: wax, tallow, pitch, and resin. Later, it’s used metaphorically by Philodemus, one of Epicurus’ disciples, to refer to the core principles of happiness in Epicureanism, since both of them function as a “cure” and are four in number.
Philodemus put together the tetrapharmakos from fragments of his master’s teachings, and summarized them into four points:
- Don’t fear God.
- Don’t worry about death.
- What is good is easy to get.
- What is terrible is easy to endure.
#H03
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. According to Epicurus, fear of death is based on bad logic. Epicurus believed fearing death was a complete waste of time and that after grappling with those fearful emotions, one should not be afraid of death. Epicurus believed the point of philosophy was to make your life go better so that happiness was not elusive. In order to enjoy life more intensely, Epicurus dwelled on his own death, but did not fear it. Epicurus realized the key to life was recognizing that we all seek pleasure. He also understood how we avoid pain when possible and eliminate suffering. Furthermore, he truly believed the best way to live was to embrace a very simple lifestyle, being considerate to others around us, and value friendships in order to satisfy most desires. Personally, I am not afraid of death. I have been taught to believe that when it is my time to die, it is my time to die. I am more afraid of losing close family members and friends, but I really appreciate Betty White's beliefs about death and dying. Her idea about how the dearly departed "now know the secret" makes the idea of death relatable and obviously, bittersweet.
Weiner
6. Thomas Jefferson, in one of his letters to friends stated, "I too am an Epicurean." Because Epicureanism had threatened Christianity, it disappeared for many centuries until some French and Americans embraced Epicurus's ideas regarding simplicity, pleasure, and the good life. Jefferson explained, "I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us." Interestingly, Epicurus's ideas were similar with Buddah's: desire is the root of suffering, practicing tranquility as the ultimate goal, and embracing a community of like-minded thinkers.
HWT
1. The three great founders of American pragmatism were William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Pierce. These three philosophers founded pragmatism from the English ideas of empiricism. William James connected pragmatism to the conception investigations by asking, "What is it known as? In what facts does it result?" Pierce explained the main idea of pragmatism was to "Consider what effects, that might conceivably have practical bearings, we conceive of our conception to have. Then our conception of these effects is the whole of our conception of the object." Dewey stated that "Knowledge is always a matter of the use that is made of experienced natural events" and "that knowing is a way of employing empirical occurrences with respect to increasing power to direct the consequences which flow from things" (81). Pragmatism takes abstractions such as truth and meaning and relates them to human action. James explains pragmatism like this, " Beliefs, in short, are really rules for action, and the whole function of thinking is but one step in the production of habits of action" (82).
#H02
ReplyDeleteLHP-Qn.4
Epicurus responded to this idea of divine punishment in the afterlife by completely neglecting and rejecting its concept. He believed that Gods were indifferent to humans if they existed and did not intervene in the world. He believed that this fear in humans is a major source of suffering and traumas of all problems and that by neglecting this fear, one could achieve happiness and live free from suffering.
I honestly agree with Epicurus because I believe in the concept of karma. Karma is all about what goes around comes around. We reap what we sew in our lives. All our results for our respective actions will be granted to us (good or bad) in this life. The soul leaves the body once we die. I think the soul cannot experience pain or happiness because suffering and pleasure are things only the human body can experience. Hence, no such concept of results being granted in the afterlife exists. If humans try to live happily with what we have doing good to ourselves and others, we experience meaning and live our lives to the fullest. Instead of worrying too much about the secrets and mysteries of the universe, if we focus on our deeds, we can achieve our ultimate human potential.
LHP-Qn.7
Seneca did not consider life too short because he believed the problem wasn't the length of life but how people use their time. He thought most people waste their time and don't get the most out of what they have. Seneca argues that people often squander their time on trivial pursuits, distractions, and unnecessary worries, making life seem shorter than it actually is. He emphasizes that time is our most valuable resource. Unlike money or material possessions, time cannot be regained once lost. A well-lived life is one where time is spent on meaningful activities, such as personal growth, relationships, and contributing to society.
I think that I make efficient use of my time. I have separate timetables that I follow where I have my due dates and deadlines concerning academics. I prioritize time to spend with my family and friends. I focus on working out and maintaining personal hygiene and also on my hobbies, like playing guitar, badminton, or singing.
I could probably do it better by organizing it more to reap my fullest potential.
FL-Qn.6
Immanuel Kant's motto of enlightenment is "Sapere Aude," which translates to "Dare to Know" or "Have the courage to use your own reason." This phrase encourages individuals to think for themselves, figure out answers for themselves, and use their own understandings without relying on others' guidance. Kant describes enlightenment as the process of emerging from self-imposed immaturity. This immaturity is not due to improper understanding but a lack of courage to understand from one's own experience. Kant argues that enlightenment requires freedom, specifically the freedom to use reason publicly. He criticizes those who act as “guardians” by keeping others in a state of dependency. His motto of enlightenment is a call to intellectual independence and critical thinking. It encourages individuals to break free from the constraints of dependency and use their reason to navigate the world.
Maheswari Ramesh (Maahi)
H1
ReplyDeleteLH1- According to Epictetus, the fear of death was based upon bad logic. He believed that the best way for us to live was to accept death and use philosophy to make living more intense. I am afraid of dying, but there was a time I used to be terrified of it. I guess I fear that I do not nurture longevity in my behaviors, and I understand the consequences of that. I have come to accept those consequences though, and now I fear losing others much more. It is hard to grapple with love and then lost.
LH5- The stoics' basic idea was that we should only worry about what we can control, and their aim was to have a calm state of mind. I am not stoic in life at all. I feel one of my worst qualities is how much I care about anything and everything. It is overwhelming to be so preoccupied by what I cannot do anything about, but it is always something I end up doing. I would like to be more stoic and accepting of what is out of my hands.
LH7- He did not consider life to be short because he said that even if it were longer, we would still feel like we wasted time and did not do everything we wished to. I do not think that I make efficient use of my time. I find myself paralyzed by choice. When I have time to myself, there is so much I could do, and I end up doing nothing. I would like to find a hobby I love to be better at this. It is just a matter of finally starting.
H1
ReplyDeleteLHP 7. Contrary to popular belief, Seneca did not consider life short; rather, he believed that most people did not use their time wisely. He thought that no matter the lifespan, people would always complain about its brevity because they end up disappointed with themselves. Seneca wished that people would find their true potential because time is our most valuable resource. Material things, money, relationships, etc. come and go, but time never returns. Simply put, Seneca wanted people to make the most of their time.
Personally, I think I am using my time wisely. I always remember that each day is a privilege and I always have the opportunity to do my best. I keep this in the back of my mind as I go throughout my day, whether it be with academics, self-care, relaxation, relationships or work.
LHP 8. Warburton warns that Stoicism might make people coldhearted and numb to the beauty of life and being human. Because Stoics focus on calming and managing emotions, they may let go of them, erasing their humanity.
I believe that it is possible for someone to be stoical yet loving and nurturing. If Stoics primarily focus on managing emotions, there is little need to turn off emotions entirely. There are too many things in life worth cherishing that ignoring them for the pursuit of eudaimonia might not be worth it. In addition, could someone truly feel eudemonic if they experience no emotions?
Continuing, understanding and managing emotions and reactions- rather than rejecting them- could help one understand and improve themselves. How can one know how to improve their reactions and emotions if they reject them? In all, it is possible for one to be Stoical and feel emotions, it is just a matter of balancing those experiences.
Weiner 5. Epicurus believed that every life is a “product of chance” and a miracle to experience. He thought that the fact that we are only born once and have so many opportunities to change the trajectory of life was worth celebrating. I, too, believe that simply knowing we can do practically anything is worth celebrating and we should take the opportunity if we feel so inclined. I think life is not about what you can have or collect, but what you can make of it. Acknowledging the miracle and opportunity of life is the first step in creating the life that you want, and that can be considered a celebration.
You pose a great question whether someone could live a eudaimonic life without experiencing any emotions. I believe this is a good question to ask anyone trying to live a fulfilling life, as I believe that emotions are highly essential to living a full and complete life.
DeleteH02.
ReplyDeleteLHP 2.
The modern meaning of epicurean is to live a lavish and luxurious lifestyle. This is in stark contrast to the actual definition that Epicurus himself lived by, which is of living modestly and not trying to obtain what you can not. I would like to partly consider myself an old fashioned epicurean, and I would like to achieve the most I can but not to the point that it drives my life to become worse.
LHP 5.
The stoics basic ideas were that emotion was unlike weather, which can not be controlled, but were able to be controlled by themselves. They felt that it was beneficial to have the lack of emotion whenever possible, and to stay neutral in the most adverse situations. I personally think that this is something that can help with life in general and is a good thing to acquire. I do not think of myself as a total stoic but I definitely would like to get to some level of stoicism in my life.
LHP 7.
Seneca didn't consider life to be too short, as he considered it to be perfectly long, as long you make the right choices. He believed that even with one thousand years, that people would still complain about life being too short, and that we need to spend the years we have being productive and positive. So far I believe that I have spent my time better than most, but that does not mean I feel that I have been wholly productive either. I think that I could do better when it comes to avoiding distractions in life and to focus on what will ultimately make me fulfilled and happy.
H02
ReplyDeleteLPH1. According to Epicurus, fear of death is based on "bad logic" and that it wasn't something to be feared at all once you think about it logically. He believed that the best way to live was to not think about things that are stressful and to live a very basic happy life. This makes sense but also means that in order to be happy you should never strive for anything. I believe that I am afraid of death, not to a debilitating degree but to the degree that I am safe when I drive and stuff like that. I wouldn't say that I am more afraid of losing others than myself because I am pretty great and people would probably be more sad if I died anyway.
LPH4. Epicurus claimed that the gods do not care to meddle in the human world as they are off doing their own thing. So we must. not worry about any divine punishment because the gods don't even have time to do that. I'm not sure where he got this argument from but he seemed very confident about it.
LHP5. The stoics basic aim was to maximize happiness and peace in ones day-to-day life. Their main idea to do this was to look at your life and realize there are only so many aspects of it you can actually control. We spend so much time thinking and worrying about things we have no control over, the stoics believe that by simply no longer caring about these things, we can maximize our enjoyment of life by minimizing our stress. I think this idea would probably work great but also kind of make you come across as an asshole. I don't think I am a stoic, although perhaps I wish I were, for I spend far too much of my time worrying about things largely outside of my control, I don't believe I choose to think this way so I'm not really sure how to just become stoic all of a sudden, but perhaps it would be worth looking into.
H03
ReplyDeleteWeiner
2. On Epicurus's compound, it said "Stranger, your time will be pleasant here. Here is the highest good of pleasure." On Plato's compound, it said "Let no one ignorant pf geometry enter here." Epicurus's compound seems much more inviting, as it offers pleasure instead of trying to keep intellectually inferior people out.
5. He says that "Every life is the fortuitous product of chance." I agree that should be celebrated, as there is so much that could have killed us, yet we still live. It is enough to celebrate the fact that you live at all in times like these.
6. Thomas Jefferson declared that he too was an Epicurean. He expands by stating "I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us."
I completely agree with your statement about WEINER-2, I would also favor Epicurus compound over Plato's academy. W-5 is also much to the likes of me and my way of thinking about his philosophy.
DeleteLHP-1: According to Epicurus, fear of death arises from the false belief that death involves suffering. He argued that since death is simply the dying of sensation and consciousness, there is nothing to fear. When we die, we no longer exist, so we cannot experience any form of pain or deprivation. For Epicurus, the best way to live is by seeking a state of ataraxia and freedom from aponia which is achieved by focusing on simple pleasures, nurturing friendships, and avoiding unnecessary desires or fears.
ReplyDeleteLHP-2: The modern meaning of the word "epicurean" is quite different from Epicurus's original philosophy. Today, an epicurean is someone who spends on luxurious food, drink, and refined tastes. In contrast, Epicurus himself advocated for a life of simplicity. He believed that the pursuit of excessive pleasure leads to anxiety and unhappiness, and that true happiness is found in simple pleasures and the avoidance of pain.
LHP-3: Wittgenstein who was a famous 20th-century philosopher, practiced Epicurus’s attitude towards death. Wittgenstein claimed that "death is not an event in life" because we do not experience it. His view aligns with Epicurus's belief that death should not be feared since it marks the end of consciousness and perception. Like Epicurus, Wittgenstein argued that worrying about death is pointless, as it is a state in which we no longer have experiences or sensations.
LHP-5: The Stoics, including Epictetus, Cicero, and Seneca, held that while we cannot control external events, we can control our reactions to them. Their basic idea was that emotional resilience and inner peace come from accepting what is out of our control and focusing on what we can change, which is our own attitudes and behavior. Their aim was to live in harmony with nature and reason, practicing goodness in every situation. Stoicism encourages emotional self-discipline and the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity, aiming for a life of satisfaction regardless of external circumstances.
WEINER-1: Kepos was Epicurus’s Garden, a place where he and his followers gathered to live, learn, and discuss philosophy. It symbolized Epicurus's emphasis on a simple, communal life centered around friendship, simple pleasures, and intellectual reflection. Voltaire said, "We must cultivate our garden," which philosophically suggests focusing on what we can control, our personal well-being and immediate environment rather than worrying about the complexities of the outside world.
WEINER-2: Visitors to Epicurus's garden were greeted with an inscription that said something like, "Stranger, here you will do well to tarry; here our highest good is pleasure," reflecting the Epicurean philosophy that happiness comes from simple pleasures and the absence of pain. In contrast, Plato’s Academy had the inscription, "Let no one ignorant of geometry enter here," emphasizing the importance of intellectual knowledge and abstract thought. Epicurus’s garden might seem more approachable for those who value happiness and practical philosophy, while Plato’s Academy may appeal to those who favor intellectual challenge and theoretical pursuits.
WEINER-3: In Raphael’s School of Athens, Epicurus is depicted on the side associated with Aristotle, representing philosophers focused on practical knowledge and the material world. This mirrors Epicurus’s materialist philosophy, which emphasized sensory experience and the pursuit of tangible pleasures. He believed in the importance of the physical world and the here and now, rather than abstract ideals. I agree with Aristotle’s approach more because my philosophy is sensory-based philosophy, like Epicurus.
H02
ReplyDeleteLHP
1 - Epicurus believed that the fear of death was ultimately based on bad logic. He believed that the key to a happy life was to live very simply, to think more logically about death, and use philosophy as a tool to live life more intensely. I believe that I am afraid of death but for a different reason now than I was earlier in my life. I used to be afraid of the suffering that would accompany my death, but now I am more so afraid of the time frame of my death, that it would come before I had accomplished my goals in life.
2 - The modern definition of an epicurian is a person who often overindulges in lavish pleasures. This is different from how Epicurus saw his philosophy. Instead, he believed that life should be lived pursuing pleasures to alleviate, but not overindulging in them, as this would ultimately lead to more unnecessary pain. I do not quite believe myself to fit either of these definitions.
5 - The Stoics' basic belief in life was that it is unwise to worry about things that are out of our own control, their aim being a calm state of mind. I generally believe to be stoic in the sense that there are just some things in life that are natural and are out of my hands. I do my best not to worry about these things and instead try to better my situations by taking other matters into my own hands.
8 - Warburton remarks that the cost of stoicism could be becoming cold and heartless and possibly less "human". I can understand where the author would come to this conclusion, as someone who is not stoic could be grieving over the loss of a loved one while a stoic on the other hand would appear to remain unmoved. On the contrary, I believe that a stoic can still be compassionate. Since stoics are concerned with the management of their emotions, I believe that they do not have to "turn off" their emotions and instead could be more in touch with their emotions, controlling their reactions. They can still show empathy for those in grief, but the stoic chooses not to be concerned with things they cannot control.
H#2
ReplyDeleteLHP 1. Epicurus believed that fear was a waste of time and was based on bad logic. To Epicurus, the best way to live was to set reasonable goals and to do what makes a person happiest by dwelling on the good moments when suffering was present. I think everyone at some point has a realistic fear of death, as what happens after death is impossible to surely know, but as a Christian I do not fear death as much as I have in the past. I am personally more afraid of people dying before me than me dying, as I believe in heaven and hell.
LHP 4: Epicurus completely rejected the idea of divine punishment and the afterlife, as he could not believe a divine creator that cared about human beings would allow suffering to the degree of the time period. I think most people believe in an objective moral law which governs the universe and holds things as definitively right or wrong. If a moral law which governs the universe exists, its reasonable to assume a divine punishment for that law would exist to. The fear of an objective form of justice existing should be something that is taken very seriously be everyone, as it is very possible and arguably probable.
DeleteLHP 5: The stoics generally believed in controlling their emotions no matter that brutality of nature. They attempted to remove the act of suffering through emotional control and removal, and learned to not care about what was going on in the world around them if it lead to negative emotion. I think everyone practices stoicism to some degree every day, but I don't believe im a true stoic, as I think vulnerability with ones true negative emotion can help one overcome those emotions entirely without removing any emotion.
As a Christian myself, death of another is definitely a hard concept to grasp. We live our lives with the end goal of making disciples of Jesus and bringing others to Christ, but it is sometimes hard to bear that after we plant that seed it is in God's hand from there. I sometimes find myself with guilt in a situation where the person I discipled to did not receive the Gospel as well as I hoped and am saddened at the thought of what may happen when they pass. Great thought.
DeleteH02
ReplyDeleteLHP 1- Epicurus said that people fear death because they fear not existing. He believed that this was rather odd fear because before you were born you didn't exist either, but nobody cares about that. Personally, I don't really fear death in the sense that Epicurus talks about not existing. Actually, I don't think you would even realize you stopped existing if that happened so you wouldn't be able to fear. If I were to say I'm afraid of death it would only be in the sense of physical anguish and pain that could come before death.
LHP 4- Epicurus rebuked the idea of divine retribution after death by saying that the gods didn't truly care for their creation and that they don't interact with us before death so why would they after. As a possibility I see eternal damnation as a true thing because of my Christian faith, but that's also why I don't really fear eternal damnation because God gives us an opportunity to avoid such a fate.
LHP 5- The stoics main idea was to control the controllables with the main focus being on reactions and emotions. They thought that by remaining calm in the face of bad luck or circumstance that you could find the strength to get through it. Their aim was simply a clearer mind and life. They wanted to live without worry so they stopped caring about things that they had no power to change and focus on the positives in life. I would like to be more stoic day to day but if we were to do a retrospective on my life up until now I would hope people would say I was rather stoic when it really matters and often try not to worry about much.
H01
ReplyDelete1. Fear of death is based on the fear of not existing, and the best way to live is to be content with the simple part of life like talking to friends and conversation rather than focusing on chasing the pleasures of drinking and parties. I am 10000% afraid of dying no matter what Epicurus says. I enjoy life, and every facet that comes with it. My family, friends, and mentors are more than enough to keep me afraid of dying.
2. An "epicurean" in modern time refers to someone who pursues the pleasure of partying, drinking, etc, and this is different from what Epicurus had taught because he praised the simpler life void of those pleasures modern "epicureans" are described to pursue. I do feel as if some times I chase the pleasure of modern epicureans, but I align heavily to the ideals that Epicurus preached in ancient times. The way I was brought up influenced me to live this style of life, but it also feels like a double-edged sword that makes it hard to relate to those who live a more modern epicurean lifestyle.
More discussion questions:
When I hear "therapy" I think of a dude sitting down on the comfy chair speaking to a guy with a clipboard who slightly agrees on everything that the dude is talking about while asking a few questions. Honestly though, I feel like that is more-so people pleasing as a job rather than "therapy." If you want to be a good therapist, you need people to like you (and think you're smart) so that you can live your life without your patients hating you. If I was a therapist talking to a guy with a cheese problem (meaning that he can't stop eating cheese), then I would probably try and encourage him to not think it's a terrible act, but rather a controllable one. In a way, this is an act of people pleasing. Rather than telling the man that his cheese eating is disgusting and irritable to his family, I told him to control it so that he thinks he has control. Anyone can do therapy if they have that title and a bit of suave to their approach in conversation. That aside, I believe that philosophers would be terrible at therapy. Philosophy was never practiced to solve problems, but rather, to dote on them and nitpick every single detail to them in order to find meaning. In a way, therapy is pointless unless the patient finds a way to fix themselves. It's not a profession that requires deep understanding of a problem like philosophy is because, ultimately, therapists want to find a solution to help "fix" their patients' problems. Philosophy never settles for a single solution though. Socrates found loopholes in every conversation he held, and what people thought they knew turned out to never be true. In the same way, trying to question people seeking therapy too much may lead to angry phone calls and less patients. That's not to say that philosophy itself hasn't led to amazing results among people who sought help in its books, but a philosopher in general probably wouldn't be the guiding light of hope that most people make them out to be.
#H1
ReplyDeleteLHP 2
The modern meaning of epicurean is starkly different from the first understood meaning. Many people have begun to connect it to a general sense of pleasure but that was never intended. What was intended was a pleasure of a simple life and reducing the need for luxury. I consider myself epicurean in the idea of trying to live a simple life in perspective to denying selfish pleasure.
Weiner 6
Thomas Jefferson considered himself an epicurean. I think he claimed epicurean because his goal was for each individual to have a
chance to pursue happiness and be free from pain while having mental ease.
#H01
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. According to Epicurus, the fear of death is based on bad logic, and the best way to live is to have a simple lifestyle, to be kind to those around you , and to surround yourself with friends. I am not afraid of death, it will eventually happen to all of us and there is no getting around it, so there is no reason to fear it. I do fear losing loved ones, however I can not control when it happens, and believe that people can live on through the memory of them, and that they will never truly leave you if you still remember them.
2. To be epicurean today is to be someone who enjoys finer things, and has a more expensive taste, which is directly contrasting to Epicurus’ belief that one should live a simpler life, and not indulge in finer things. I believe that I am in between both of the terms, I do enjoy some better foods every now and then and I do enjoy the convenience and luxury of life in today's world. Despite this I would not need these things to live, if it came to it I could live a more simple life, and in some aspects I do, however there are some nicer things that I do enjoy.
3. The 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein echoed Epicurus’ view on death as he believed that it was not an event in life and that we did not experience our own death, and therefore did not make a big deal about it. I do not entirely agree with this, as I think most people do know when they are close to death and can feel it coming, unless it is some kind of freak accident. Therefore if we know that it is coming, then we would experience it in some way, whether it be the pain or the release that it gives one.
4. Epicurus responded to the idea of divine punishment in the afterlife by saying that the gods have essentially left us alone and do not dabble in the life or death of mankind. I don't really truly know what the afterlife holds for me, or for anyone. I am religious however and do hope that what I believe is right, but one can never be for certain.
5. The stoics bais idea was to live emotionless, and that the majority of the time the only thing that we had control over ws our emotions. I believe that I am stoic in the fact that I try not to get worked up about things that are out of my control, but I believe it to be bad to live an emotionless life, this is very psychotic.
H01
ReplyDeleteLHP #2:
"Epicurean" is now understood to mean a sort of boundless pursuit of temporary pleasures, specifically when it comes to food. In reality, Epicurus seemed to be a believer in restraining oneself, because unrestrained pleasure often does not stay pleasurable. I think that I more closely align with the truly Epicurean outlook, although I would not say that pleasure is the point of living your life wisely, but merely a byproduct.
LHP #5:
Stoics believed "that we should only worry about things we can change" (Warburton 29). Their aim was to have "a calm state of mind" (Warburton 29). I would say that I am generally stoical, although of course I fail at it often. I find that I have much more peace of mind if I simply decide what to do and then plan to do it, rather than aimlessly fearing what the future may look like.
LHP #8:
The author says that, by becoming fully stoic, we may "become, cold, heartless, and perhaps even less human" (Warburton 33). I think that it is indeed possible to be compassionate and caring even while stoic. It depends on what the object of your stoicism is. In my opinion, stoicism needs purpose. If the purpose is to promote the well-being of others, then that is your target. All that matters is if you are pursuing that target. Any other event that happens to you should not destroy your mindset because that purpose is still there. This means that, when someone is suffering, you should feel compassion and do whatever you can to promote their well-being, because that is the purpose. And yet, at the same time, if there is nothing you can do, you should not let that destroy your mindset because it is not your purpose to control what you can and can't do, only to do what you can. Both of these things can be true at once.
More Discussion Questions #6:
Of course, because I am human, it is naturally easier for me to get "worked up" over things that affect me specifically, whether they are big or small, and, although the bigger problems obviously cause me more distress the point is still that my immediate reactions to things are really about how big of a slice of that problem affects me. I believe this is somewhat of an unfortunate trait, and I would assume that it is a common one, though I can only speak for myself.
Warburton, Nigel. A LITTLE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY. Yale University Press, 30 Oct. 2012.
I would agree that I try to live a stoic lifestyle, but typically fail trying to do so. It's harder than it seems for sure.
DeleteH02
ReplyDeleteWeiner
1 - Kepos is Greek for garden. Voltaire says that we should cultivate "our garden". Philosophically, I believe this to means to "develop our character". This can be done by learning philosophy and experiencing life. Since philosophy is a constant search for wisdom, it can be paralleled to the constant care needed in a garden. To watch the garden flourish is to find meaning in life through philosophy and development.
5 - Epicurus believed life to be the "fortuitous product of chance" or a miracle in simpler terms. I agree that we should celebrate this, especially if we are all here by chance as Epicurus believes.
9 - Diogenes said that philosophy taught him to be prepared for every fortune. In other words, philosophy taught Diogenes how to respond to anything that life throws in his path.
11 - Epictetus lived very simply, just like Socrates and also was quick to admit his ignorance, just as Socrates. They both believed that "Philosophy begins with consciousness of [their] own weakness."
#H03
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1: Epicurus believed that fearing death was based on bad logic since death wasn't something that happened to someone and instead since we'd be dead we wouldn't feel a thing. He believed the best way to live was to reduce suffering and to increase happiness which he sought through philosophy. While I do not fear death anymore I am afraid of losing friends because I wouldn't want to continue thinking about what a deceased person would think.
3. Ludwig Wittgenstein echoed the sentiment that death is not something we experience since we will lose all conciousness. I'm not sure whether I agree with him because we don't know what happens when we die, furthermore we can't ask a dead person what it is like, as that would defeat the entire purpose of being, you know, dead. Either way I don't worry about what will happen when I die and thus I don't really think it is important to take a stance on death.
8. The author says that stoics could become cold, heartless, and less human, however I think it is still possible to be compassionate to other people even if a person is a stoic. While a person would have get rid of their own emotions to remain calm, they might be able to judge whether they need to help someone in a state of distress in order to help them also calm themselves.
#H1
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. According to Epicurus, fear of death is based on bad logic. He believed that the best way to live was to think clearly about death and to come to the realization that we all seek pleasure. I think I'm afraid of death simply because it is an unknown. As a Christian, I believe that when I die, I will spend eternity in Heaven, but still the concept of death is something no one has lived to tell. Even when it happens to me, I won't know that death is occurring until I have already passed on. Having lost many people I love in my lifetime, it's not so much that I am scared of losing people, because I know what it is like, but I am dreading the coming days of it. I don't fear loss I simply hate the thought of losing someone I love.
2. Epicurus' definition for epicurean was almost the opposite of the modern-day definition. The modern-day definition is someone who loves eating fine foods and who indulges in luxury and sensual pleasure. Epicurus believed in a much simpler life and had simpler tastes than the modern definition suggests. I would consider myself to lean more towards Epicurus' definition of epicurean because I don't live a luxurious lifestyle like the modern-day definition describes.
3. The 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein echoed Epicurus' view of death when writing 'Death is not an event in life
in his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. I agree from the aspect that death is not something we will necessarily experience because we will be gone before we realize what took place.
H01
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Q4. Epicurus didn’t believe gods were interested in human affairs and weren’t concerned with afterlife punishment.
I don’t really believe in after life punishment. I grew up in an Anglican church and still I watched my mom evolve to become a pastor and is now in Vanderbilt divinity school. And now it seems so unfathomable that there is an afterlife both from a spiritual and scientifical place. Life is what you make of it, we know very little, so instead of worrying about some moral reward or punishment do what matters.
Q8. The author says happiness and humanity are lost when stoics attempt to control thought processes and emotions that may lead to unhappiness or distress. Which I agree with, but I think it is possible to balance control of emotions, in the cognitive behavioral therapy works on the principal that our thoughts control emotions and we control our thoughts. So there is some truth in controlling unwanted emotions but it has to be done without disconnecting from your emotions.
LHP
ReplyDelete1. Epicurus believed that the fear of death comes from the idea that death would be painful or that you could be punished in the afterlife. He dismissed both of these ideas by saying that death isn't experienced by a person, it is as nothing as before you were born and can't be experienced, so one shouldn't be afraid of it. He believed the best way to live was too live simply and to take part in the pleasures of life. To have friends, to fulfill your hunger, or to drink. He also believed you shouldn't indulge in expensive and luxury goods as using them could leave you wanting more, causing unhappiness. I do not fear death, I fear dying, but I do not fear death itself. The idea of not being around anymore sucks, but it isn't scary. Death brings me sorrow, I'd like to live forever. I don't want to lose a life I worked hard to build, and I'd like to see what lies in humanity's future, but the idea of the nothingness beyond my life doesn't scare me. I am afraid of losing others, the people I care about are instrumental to my happiness and I am to theirs, losing them means losing a piece of me I can't get back and that scares me.
2. The modern meaning of Epicurean means to indulge in all the luxuries and pleasures of the world. This is different than the original definition as it originally meant to live simply and within your means as it would create a life without want, or to Epicurus, happiness. Your relationships with other people were also important to Epicurus. I wouldn't consider myself Epicurean. I live life constantly in pursuit of the next big thing, my pilot's license, finally fixing my car enough to drive, or a big vacation. The drive toward achieving the thing I want is more important to my happiness than the indulgence in that thing or to not want at all as Epicurus originally suggested.
5. The stoics believed that your emotions don't happen to you, you control them and that they cloud judgement and reasoning. They aimed to rid themselves of emotions completely. I am not stoic, others may be able to choose the emotions they respond with or if they respond at all, but I did not choose to cry when somebody I love yelled at me, I did not choose to smile when I met my baby cousin the first time, I did not choose to become upset when I learned my girlfriend cheated on me. Emotions make me and with enough practice I'm sure I could rid them from my life, but I don't believe the completely stoic life is worth living. Emotions do cloud judgement, yes, but if we rid ourselves of them then why am I here? Why would I need judgement? If I'm not working toward my happiness or a general concept of fulfillment, something that I would say is an emotion or at the least indicated by them, then what's the point?
#H01
ReplyDeleteLHP
1) Epicurus believed that the fear of death is based on "bad logic", and the best way to live is by living a "very simplistic lifestyle, be kind to those around you, and surround yourself with friends." That makes a lot of sense, and I agree with Epicurus. Lavish lifestyles can sound appealing at the moment, but I think we crave the simplistic things life offers to satisfy us. For me at least, I can confidently say that most of my desires are satisfied with simple things such as acting with kindness and worthwhile friendships. Now that I think about it, I do not think I have ever been afraid of death, or maybe I do not think about the idea of dying much. I am more likely to fear my cause of death, or the pain associated with death rather than actual death itself. Due to my religious beliefs, death is not something we should fear but look forward to. Of course, the idea of losing my loved ones scares me more than the idea of my own death. Everyone has a limited amount of time on earth, but the unsettling thing is that no one knows when our time will run out.
7) Rather than believing that life is too short, Seneca believed that people used their time on earth unwisely and unintentionally, therefore wasting the time they have. Not only do I agree with Seneca, but also feel that this is a wake-up call, especially for me. There are twenty-four hours in a day, and I seem to have taken that for granted. I occupy many of those hours with useless laziness or mindless scrolling on social media. I need to be more intentional with how I spend my time, so I do not end up complaining in the end about life being too short. Setting short-term and long-term goals that contribute to my overall wellbeing and life is a way to improve how efficiently I use my time. Also, by living in the moment, going places, trying new things that encourage growth and joy are more likely to leave lasting happy memories you will not regret using your time to create.
8) Warburton says that the cost of stoicism “might be that we become cold, heartless, and perhaps even less human.” While I do think those who practice stoicism can be compassionate and caring through their actions, I do not believe they can appropriately be sympathetic and sensitive to others' suffering. It is possible for stoics to care for others without feeling negative emotions. They use feelings to spur them to action rather than letting them deter the action. In theory it makes sense, but to truly be human is to feel emotions, meaning all emotions whether they are positive or negative. I think allowing our emotions to influence our actions is a healthy, natural occurrence and to try and not let them affect us in how we make our decisions would make us less human for sure.
#HO1
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1.Epicurus believed that the idea of death was waste of time and based on bad logic. He believed that a simple life full of doing things you find pleasure in is what makes a happy life. I would not say I am scared to die, I am a little scared not knowing how. I am terrified of losing others, I need to clock out first before they can lave me.
3. Ludwig Wittgenstein also believed that the fear of death was based on bad logic. Wittgenstein talked about his view of how we won't experience our death in his " Tractates Logic- Philosophicus". I kind of agree, kind of don't. Not everyone is going to be put in the same situation, so some may experience their death and some may not. I can see where he is coming from.
5. Stoics basic idea what that we should only worry about the things that we can change and not the things we can't. They aimed for a calm state of mind, to not overstimulate the mind. I think I have been doing better about putting more focus on the things I can change in my life and not the things we can't. I have to keep reminding myself that I can't change this thing in my life so let's not worry about it for now.
H03
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to live like a Stoic without becoming cold, heartless, and inhumane?
The idea of stoicism has been warped by the cultures that have succeeded its founders. Stoicism has become a model for "masculine" figureheads to use as a method of seeming in touch with themselves and their surroundings. I find an issue with subscribing to the current stoicism term. No one can be completely unrelated to the things happening around them. Life is how you make it. Stoics are not supposed to use everything as an excuse to 'not care' but as a way of thinking to minimize damages done by unforeseen circumstances. Original stoicism was described by the Oxford English Dictionary as "One who practises repression of emotion, indifference to pleasure or pain, and patient endurance." In no way does being a stoic mean pushing problems to the side and letting them build into things you created. It refers to the ability to control one's own thoughts and feelings, leaving the mind to be controlled by rational thought.
H02
ReplyDeleteLHP #1: Epicurus believed there was no point in having distraught over death and if you do have constant anxieties over it, that is taking away from the life you should be living and that is not a sustainable way to live. To him, the best way to live is the simplest way possible with no unrealistic or luxurious desires. Enjoy the things you know you are able to have and don't waste your life chasing something that is not in your grasp. Additionally, I am not afraid of death; I have not decided what I believe happens after death, but since I cannot know for sure I choose not to stress myself out over it. Perhaps I believe similarly to Epicurus.
LHP #5: Stoics emphasized how we should only concern ourselves with things we can change or control; there is no logical explanation for allowing your mental state to decline over something you have no control over. With this core belief, stoics heavily wanted to better one's mental health because your thoughts and feelings are something you can control even when everything around you may be spiraling. Often times, my anxieties get the best of me even when I am well aware there's nothing I can do to change the situation. Practicing this aspect of stoicism appears to be something that could be beneficial to me moving forward.
LHP #6: Cicero thought we should not worry about death because we should appreciate and respond optimistically to the process of growing old. He mentions how old people can get by with doing less work and spend time on peaceful conversations with loved ones. This is a seemingly wholesome approach to facing death and one that may be comforting to some. I do not know if I would say it is more or less worrisome compared to the Epicureans' view on facing death, but I would say its not as realistic or logical. I accept Epicurus' way of not being afraid of death because it is simply illogical to do so more than not being afraid of death because the process of growing old is something pleasurable.
H01
ReplyDeleteWeiner, Q7. The good enough creed that Weiner explores with his new friend Tom is trying to counteract the nature of continually chasing more. It seems like having more than you have now will give you more pleasure. But you don’t always need more, you don’t NEED better, almost always “good enough” is perfect. Weiner says if you follow the “good enough creed” for a while it just becomes “good” because you recalibrate your desire for more than what you have. You start practicing gratitude and appreciate what you already have. I’ve been practicing a similar mindset for a few years, over the summer I started slacking. Taking things for granted, wanting new things to get ready for my freshman year. I bought a new backpack, one that’s cuter, it was green with a dedicated laptop spot, I stressed about this bag, trying to find the perfect one. After the first week of school I returned to my plain black Jansport backpack that I’ve been using since second grade. The zipper of the back pocket is broken, its fraying along some of the seams, its not a fancy bag but I keep returning to it. Maybe one day it’ll tear beyond repair, and I’ll be forced to use a new bag, but for now its good enough, its perfect.
More Qs #8
From the emotional side I think philosophers could be good therapist but there is a side of therapy that should be informed about mental process and neurobiology. I think philosophers could be good consultants or good counselors because there is just more to therapy then emotional and philosophical challenges. Of course therapists can be devoted to philosophy and use that as a component in talk therapy but philosophy is not enough for most patients who need therapy.
#H01
ReplyDelete- LHP 5.
The Stoics basic idea was that you have control over how you feel and think, so you should always choose to stay calm and emotionless when dealing with situations, stressful or not. I would say I'm definitely not stoic in life, considering how deeply I feel most all of my emotions. I truly think the key to feeling happier and healthier is through giving yourself room to express your emotions. I can't imagine the life I'd be living right now if I always stayed stone-cold and expressionless.
- LHP 8.
The author wrote that stoicism could possibly rob a person of their humanity, causing them to act heartless and insensitive to others. I think this could be true in a lot of cases, because it's hard to be empathetic towards another person's emotions when you aren't allowing even yourself to feel them. But I do believe it's possible to be good to others even if you are a stoic. The main principle of Stoicism is keeping yourself from feeling those emotions so deeply, but this doesn't keep others from feeling them. So in a way you could support another person, despite not supporting yourself.
- "What do you think of when you hear the word "therapy?" Do you think Philosophers can be good therapists?"
When I think of the word therapy, the first thing that comes to mind is a more modern approach, of a licensed therapist talking through a person's emotions to help them. But thinking deeper, therapy can honestly be something as simple as talking to somebody close about your feelings or doing something to benefit yourself and your spirit. Because of this, I think some philosophers (depending on their stance compared to the person) could be great therapists. They could provide some insightful views and approaches to situations the main person in question hadn't even thought of.
H01
ReplyDeleteLHP 2- The modern meaning of "epicurean" is actually the exact opposite to the philosophies that Epicurus preached. He taught moderation and simple living, getting pleasure through small happiness's, while the modern definition has morphed into a person who enjoys large luxuries like fancy food. This was due to Epicurus' enemies claiming that the Garden was all about intense sexual pleasures to undermine his real teachings. I think this was petty and unimaginative. We use Epicurus' name to mean the opposite of what he believed in, which is sad. I would consider myself a traditional epicurean, an enjoyer of simple pleasures.
Weiner 2- The inscription at Epicurus' Garden read, "Stranger, your time will be pleasant here. Here the highest good is pleasure." Completely opposite that, Plato's Academy stated, "Let no one ignorant of geometry enter here." I find the second message hilarious and othering. At Plato's school, there were rules on who could enter and learn; if you hadn't had the privilege of already knowing geometry, you couldn't seek further knowledge. But in Epicurus' Garden, all are welcome. The sign speaks to all strangers that walk past. It says that anyone can and will have a good time there. I think most people will agree with me that the Epicurean sign is much more inviting.
7- Eric believes that if you follow the "good enough" life motto, the "enough" will eventually drop and you'll be left with simply "the Good". I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. Constantly wishing for more, or disagreeing with what happens to and at you only leads to disappointment. You will never be satisfied with your life unless you learn to be grateful for what simplicities are offered to you. "Enough" is only a measure of wanting more. Once you no longer want for more out of your life, everything will just be "Good".
H03 - Quinny VanDerSlik
ReplyDeleteLHP 1-
According to Epicurus, death is based on bad logic, and is a waste of time. He believed that fear of death was just a state of mind that one needs to overcome, that if you thought about death from a logical standpoint it was not frightening. Epicurus also believed that by living a simple life, being kind to others of those you surround yourself with and being surrounded by friends is the best way one could live their life. By doing these three things one can satisfy most of their desires. I feel that I do not fear my own death, but the way it will affect those I love and care for, how would my death harm my family? For years I had feared losing someone close to me due to their death, and when it did happen the dying part was hard, but the aftermath was worse. Losing my loved one was hard, seeing them waste away was hard, but them no longer being there after was worse, not being able to tell them how my day was or share something I thought they’d like. So, I am not afraid of dying, I fear losing another more as I have to live after without them, I fear what I will leave in my wake after death.
LHP 2-
The modern meaning of “epicurean” is to enjoy luxuries, to lean into indulgences, while Epicurus believed in leaning into the simple things in life. If you can not afford to do it, why waste time longing for it, it will only harm you? Epicurus did not want those to savor the luxuries in life, to eat fancy foods and indulge, he wanted people to live simplistic lifestyles and see what desires we can afford and go for it. After considering how I live, I believe that I lead a more simple life, where I try to avoid luxury and give into those I cannot afford to waste time on. One moment of not paying attention enough to the simple pleasures led me to miss them, so why should I spend my time on luxury I think could never happen?
Weiner 1-
Kepos was The Garden, it was Epicurus’s school and community that he had founded. Voltaire, a French Enlightenment said that we should cultivate our garden. In a philosophical sense, I believe garden to mean our mind. Our mind holds many different types of thoughts, ideas and beliefs, all a different flower, bush, tree or weed. For example, a bad thought or belief that you might fail your test tomorrow is a weed that needs to be plucked before it roots into your mind and actually infects the rest of your thoughts as weeds do in gardens. We need to tend to our thoughts as if they were a garden, we need to linger on them to care for them in a sense. Thoughts require a correct amount of discipline to maintain them how we want, just like a garden does.
Have you experienced the death of someone close to you? How did you handle it?
DeleteI have experienced the death of someone very close and dear to me. I do not believe I handled it well to this day, it will have been a full year since their death September 20th. Their death greatly impacted me in small ways that I only noticed after. The way I handled it was simply to not, it was near the start of the school year, the middle of the first quarter of senior year, I was able to drown myself in work to keep myself from handling it. No matter how greatly impacted my life was by their death, I had believed if I did not actually have to see or think about the permanence through a grave I could ignore the memorials and how real it was. I miss them, I hate that they are gone and I can not show them my graduation pictures, that I missed moments others did not. Highschool graduation felt dedicated to them for me, I made it for them as it was something I knew they wished for me to finish well so I could go to college. Handling it has slowly become living for them, doing what I wanted to do to make them proud before, doing things I hope would have made them smile at me. Handling death and experiencing death is not easy when that someone was my own mother who I believed to be able to cheat death after she seemed to manage it multiple times before.
I found that LHP question 6 was also interesting, so I wanted to put a comment on my answer for it as well.
DeleteLHP 6-
Cicero believed that we shouldn’t worry about death because he thought that our souls lived on forever. By accepting that there was no need to worry about death, that we would live after with our souls, we should accept it as a natural process alongside aging. Based on my own feelings of how death is perceived, Cicero has a more worrisome approach compared to Epicurean. If we lived thinking that even after death we live on, then accepting all that I currently have even if I do not give into my small desires and such, it is fine as I live on after. To me a viewpoint like that feels more empty.
#H02 Alan Hernandez
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#1 - Epicurus thought that the fear of death was based on bad logic, and believed the best way to live was to conquer that fear. In doing that, he believed one would be able to enjoy life more. Personally, I am very afraid of death, mainly for that part that comes after it: the afterlife. Just the concept of living infinitely in a spiritual way is something that I, and many others, can't wrap our heads around. Despite this, I am more afraid of losing others. The people I am scared of losing make life worth living, and without them, life would feel empty.
#2 - 'Epicureans' are people who enjoy sensual and luxurious pleasure, often with expensive tastes. Epicurus had a more simple palette in both food and lifestyle. I would consider myself more like Epicurus rather than a 'epicurean' quite heavily. I have a very similar mindset in enjoying pleasures and to not focus your energy on the unattainable. His belief that a philosophy should be lived and not just taught makes sense to me, as someone's philosophy dictates they're actions, big or small.
#3 - 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein echoed Epicurus's belief that death is not an event in one's life, it is the stripping of the possibility to experience, therefore, one should not worry about death. I agree with the idea that death cannot be an event in life, but I do not think the idea warrants anyone to stop fearing death. It is a very instinctual thought, and it has helped humans live for as long as they have.
LHP
ReplyDelete3. Ludwig Wittgenstein echoed Epicurus when he wrote “Death is not an event in life.” I wholeheartedly agree with him. I believe viewing death as part of life to be potentially hazardous to everyday thinking. When you see death as something that happens with your absence, it becomes infinitely less worrying. Live your life the way you see fit; when you die, you won’t be there to suffer through it.
5. The Stoics' basic idea is to only be worried about things we can change. However, as a human being, this can be difficult. We are naturally full of emotions that can easily overwhelm and essentially “override” our logic. There are many instances where things that "can't be helped" still seem fixable. While having awareness of what is and isn’t worth your efforts would be helpful, I find it hard to determine such qualities in most things.
7. Cicero viewed aging as a natural process that cannot be helped, so he found no reason to worry about it. This differs from the Epicurean’s prospect of “overcoming” death through reasoning. Personally, I find Cicero’s philosophy to be tremendously more calming on the psyche than Epicurus’. Disregarding death as part of you takes a lot more psychological practice than simply viewing it as an inevitable natural process that can be made less significant by the life you leave behind.
H#2
ReplyDeleteLHP#2 - The modern meaning of Epicurean is much different than what Epicurus' own definition would be because he believed in having a simple lifestyle and chasing simple desires in life. This differs from the modern meaning which is basically the opposite, meaning that Epicurean is a lifestyle of luxury and chasing after rich desires. I wouldn't consider myself either of these definitions because I'm not in a position to chase after luxury items or experiences and I definitely give in to temptations which wouldn't really align with Epicurus' beliefs. However I definitely lean more towards his definition compared to the modern one.
LHP#3 - Ludwig Wittgenstein was the 20th century philosopher who agreed with Epicurus' views on death. I really agree with their views on death. I think whenever I've thought about death it would scare me, but as I read the book it actually had a calming feeling. Death isn't something that we experience so why be afraid? While it seems like something cold to say it makes the topic a little less worrying.
LHP#5 - Stoic's generally believe that there are things in life that are out of our control and that we shouldn't get upset over it because there's nothing we can do. Stoics aim to have control over their emotions and let them go completely to have control of what's in their power. I feel like I try to be stoic in my daily life however I don't go to the extreme side of it by letting go of my emotions completely. I try to stay level headed in my day to day life and know when I can solve a problem or when to drop something.
H02
ReplyDeleteLHP1- Epicurus believed that the fear of death was based on upon bad logic, Death is inevitable and should not be feared. The best way to live life was to conquer the fear of death. I am afraid of death, not really what happens after you die, I'm more scared of how sudden it can happen and how someone can be gone in a second.
LHP 5- The stoics teaching was to only be worried about things that we can change. This is hard to do however. People wonder why certain things happen to them or why. People try to figure out reasons for things that don't exactly have answers. The only thing to be worried about are the things that are in our control
Have you experienced the death of someone close to you? How did you handle it?
I have, I lost my Grandpa early in the summer, I was able to handle it pretty well, His health had been declining for awhile so it wasn't sudden and unexpected. The weirdest part was when I went to his house after he had died. My grandma was there but I remember seeing all of his stuff around the house. It was weird to kind of think that none of it really mattered anymore. I was able to deal with it knowing that I don't remember him for all of the government related stuff he achieved, but rather the memories I made with him that were unique to me.
H02
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. Epicurus stated that worrying about death is based on bad logic and the best way to live is to enjoy the time, moments, and events that we have right now. I mean I feel like I am afraid of dying, but due to the sake of others. Like I would feel bad that I couldn't be there the whole way, but death is apart of life and we have to accept that. In addition, I am absolutely terrified of loosing others. I care so deeply for people that it terrifies me to look at someone and know that I could lose them. However, after reading this chapter, I feel that Epicurus had a point. We must live now then be anxious about the end.
3. After Epicurus, Ludwig Wittgenstein vocalized his opinion on death. Death is not an event in our life because we simply cannot experience it. Death is the removal of experience, so there is no possible way that you can experience death since your soul is being removed from that moment. Truthfully, I agree with Wittgenstein. Everyone talks about experiencing near death experiences; however, they are experiencing the pain and moments before death consumes you. No one can truly experience death because death sweeps away your soul before you can experience what it feels like.
8. The author vocalizes that the price for stoicism is being careless and not having your emotions that make you human; since many stoics believed you should give up all your emotions so nothing can bother you. I do think there can be some level of stoicism in an emotional person, however, that is just emotional regulation and stoicism. Though, to be a pure and true stoic I do think emotions are not in the equation for that person because they truly stay reserved and controlled about everything.
H2
ReplyDeleteLHP 2: The modern meaning of “epicurean” is the complete opposite of Epicurus’ meaning, because the modern word depicts someone who likes to live lavishly and engage in constant pleasure, while Epicurus stressed the need to be moderate. I try not to engage in the modern sense of the term and be more like Epicurus’ meaning, as I do my best not to be a heavy consumer (buying second hand often, upcycling materials, using what I have until it breaks or goes bad.)
LHP 7: Seneca didn’t consider life too short, because no matter how much time someone is given, some people will waste that time just as much as they’ve wasted a life. I try my best to make efficient use of my time by taking the chances to do as many things as I can, even if I regret it at first. I could still do better by putting more time into the present and not being overly-conscious about the future, mainly by not worrying as much.
Weiner 1: Kepos was the name of The Garden, Epicurus’ perfect place to found his community of philosophers. Voltaire said “we must cultivate our garden,” and I interpret this as emphasizing the importance of having the outside beauty of a garden that supports one’s constantly growing philosophy.
Gavin Cooley H2
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. Fear of death is based on bad logic about what matters in life and how much our lives matter to the infinite flow of time. The best way to live is simply. I currently have no fear of death. There was a point where I was concerned with leaving my mark on the world, mistakingly believing that the goal of life was not to be forgotten after I'm gone. That was until I realized that even the greatest people to have ever lived have only been remembered for a few thousand years, which is nothing to the billions of years of previous existence up to this point and even less to the trillions of years to come.
2. The modern sense of the word "epicurean" is someone who is only concerned with their momentary pleasure in life through things such as sex, drugs and alcohol. Epicurus would disagree, with his original intention being to rid our lives of suffering and worry, which is pleasure in a dog itself, not indulging in pleasures of the flesh. I am not epicurean in the modern sense. I find pleasure in completing larger goals and overall success.
Weiner
1. Kepos is the Greek word for garden. Voltaire says that we should cultivate the garden of our lives and our minds. I think this means that we should tend to our mind by watering it with knowledge and refining it by weeding out the bad thoughts and practices
Ho2
ReplyDeleteLHP
1.
Fear of death is based off bad logic. Epicurus thought the best way to live was to “very simple lifestyle, be kind to those around you, and surround yourself with friends". Better to live simply wanting little, than to want for something you will never have. I still am afraid of dying, and worried about losing those around me, as they make life so much easier. But I figured out Epicurus' ideas on death long ago: Death of the human body is inevitable, might as well go and live the best life you can.
2.
The modern meaning of 'epicurean' has gotten perverted into meaning someone who indulges in pleasures. I unfortunately must admit that I fit the modern meaning of the word, though I am hoping to transition into the past meaning of the word.
3. Ludwig Wittgenstein echoed Epicurus' attitude towards death, though I do not agree with him as humans have souls.
4.
He waived it off, saying the gods did not care about their creations. I do take the afterlife seriously because of my religion, which has made a particularly good argument for it.
5.
That if we cannot do anything about it, then we should not needlessly worry ourselves about it. They did this to achieve a calm state of mind. I try to be more patient with all the nonsense in daily life.
6. Cicero said that we worry about dying even though we can do nothing to stop it and that we have souls, so we will continue to exist after we die. He also argues that we should not be pessimistic about our death, as that only makes life harder. This approach is objectively less worrying.
7.
Seneca did not consider life too short, as it matters on how you spend yours: when we waste time, letting ourselves get tossed around by life, life is short. But when we fill our lives with experiences that are valuable to us, then life is not short. I must admit that I do find myself getting tossed around in life (especially now, in college), though I am making strides in getting better at managing my life and filling it with experiences and choices I will cherish.
8.
The author says it might cost us our emotions. This is wrong, as the purpose of stoicism was not to be emotionless, but to cut through the noise of emotions that often get in the way of us living. Which is why it is possible t be stoical but also appropriately compassionate and caring.
LPH
ReplyDelete2- The modern definition of "epicurean" suggests leading a wealthy life. This starkly contrasts Epicurus's original philosophy, which promoted a simple lifestyle and the avoidance of superfluous wants. To a certain extent, I identify with the classic Epicurean principles since I strive to achieve my goals with ambition while being careful not to allow them to negatively affect me.
5- The stoics sought to maintain a peaceful mindset and advocated that we should only worry about what we can manage. I do lead a stoic life. I do an excellent job of not worrying about things that either don't affect me, or I can't affect.
8- According to Warburton, stoicism may cause people to lose their humanity and become heartless. Stoics may get rid of their emotions and lose their humanity because they place so much emphasis on controlling and soothing them. It's possible to be stoic and still compassionate and caring. It is unnecessary to completely suppress emotions if stoics concentrate more on regulating them. Eudaimonia may not be worth sacrificing too many beautiful things to achieve. Furthermore, if a person has no feelings, could they be eudemonic? It may be possible to better understand and better oneself by accepting, comprehending, and regulating feelings and behaviors instead of rejecting them.
John Owens H3
ReplyDeleteLHP
Q1: According to Epicurus, fear of death is based around the anxiety one feels regarding their death and what their existence will be like afterwards. He believed that the best way to live is simple. To not make your short life overly complicated by chasing things that you either cannot obtain, or if you do obtain will only leave you wanting more from life. Instead of drinking wine he said you should drink water, instead of fancy foods eat bread. I am more afraid of the process of dying than dying. I am a Christian and have a decent enough understanding of what comes from death, according to the Bible.
Q2: The modern meaning of epicurean is the opposite of what it was originally meant during the time of Epicurus. The modern meaning of the word is usually meant to be excessive, gluttonous, and hedonistic while the ancient use of the word was meant to mean Epicurean style of thinking, which, while focused on one's own self pleasure, was about simple restrained pleasures. I am epicurean in the philosophical sense of the word, I enjoy doing pleasurable things, but I do not think I go as far as to be overindulgent or hedonistic.
Weiner
Q:1 Kepos means garden, which is the same thing that Voltaire said we should cultivate. It means a person should focus so much on the entire world, something which we do not have much control or impact over, but instead focus on ourselves. A garden is usually something small and personal that you put care and work into for it to thrive. Voltaire and Epicurious believed that people are the same philosophically, we should focus on developing ourselves in a more simplistic, local way though detachment, like with his garden walls, and simplistic straightforward living.
H03
ReplyDelete(Personal comment)
1. While there are parts of stoicism I think are really helpful, like learning when to let go of things out of your control, I feel like the difficulty of discarding our emotional responses is vastly underestimated in modern talk surrounding the philosophy. Like, if I get caught out in a sudden rainstorm, I can absolutely logically reason that there's no need to be annoyed about my situation because there was no way for me to prevent or prepare for it, and anyway, who's to say that getting rained on a little is objectively a bad thing? This is a great mental exercise to practice patience with the uncertainties of life and myself.
But you know what? I AM still annoyed, getting rained on IS kind of unpleasant (to me, at least). I don't know that any amount of mental fortitude is going to change the fact that that physical sensation is something I would rather not experience. Just as there is merit to accepting the situations one cannot change, I think there's merit to accepting that some things just suck, and then moving forward anyway. It seems much healthier to me to accept one's emotions while keeping in mind their irrationality, rather than tossing them aside entirely.
(LHP, Question 2)
2. As opposed to what we know of Epicurus' actual teachings (being moderate, avoiding unfulfilled desires, etc), the modern meaning of 'epicurean' has a more hedonistic connotation of gluttony or excessive luxury, like someone who loves eating fine foods. I would not consider myself an epicurean in the modern sense, but I do agree with most of the ideas in the original philosophy of Epicurus. His view of moderation is perhaps more applicable now in the intensely materialistic views of the U.S. than even in his time, and his definition of pleasure in life as more about connections with others and the personal satisfaction of accomplishment rather than the extrinsic pleasure of opulence is very refreshing and practical.
(LHP, Question 3)
Ludwig Wittgenstein mirrored Epicurus' view of death when he wrote that, 'death is not an event in life.' Although it's difficult for me to say that I 100% agree with their perspectives, since I don't know for sure what's going to happen when I die, it is a thought that I enjoy. When I think of my own death, it has an aura of existential depression about it, because I'm comparing it to my lived reality of attending funerals or thinking about the death of those close to me. But in a selfish way, if Wittgenstein's assertion is true, then that's great, because I won't have to go through that myself or experience the secondary sadness of seeing those close to me go through it.
Andrew Griffith (#3)
ReplyDeleteLHP1-Epicurus argued that fear of death was based on bad logic. Don't focus on the complexities of life. Live simply and free of anxiety.
#H02
ReplyDeleteLHP 2. The idea of being Epicurean is to live a luxurious and pleasure filled life. However, this contradicts the actual lifestyle that Epicurus lived, which involved living modestly and feeling fulfilled by simple pleasures. I can somewhat relate to being Epicurean because I am very much satisfied with what I can achieve, and I do not need to live an extravagant lifestyle.
LHP 5. The stoics believed that while emotions could not be completely controlled, they do believe that you can use it to react accordingly to things like loss. They felt that They viewed it as beneficial to remain neutral in difficult situations. I believe that having this constant neutral level of emotion could be beneficial, but it also could be harmful if it goes too far.
H02 Erick Martínez
ReplyDeleteLHP
1. Epicurus said that the fear of death is based on bad logic; the best way to live is to overcome the fear of it. I don’t think I’ve ever been afraid of death. It’s something that will happen to everyone and we will never know when or how. I guess I believe that I’ll grow old so I don’t have to worry about it, or that if death comes early it’ll happen for a greater purpose whether that benefits me or my loved ones. I am more terrified of what comes after death. What that means for me if I’m dead and what that means for my loved ones. Would I be separated never to see them again, or would I be watching over them and taking care of them? There’s a more scarier mystery in the after death talk than in the death talk.
4. Epicurus proposed that if our “non-existence” before our birth was fine, then so too should be our death. I don’t agree with Epicurus proposal because there is a difference between before we are born and when we die. The difference is we’ve experienced life. We have lived, and impacted people’s lives, maybe even lived multiple different ones. The point is once we die, the people from your life will grieve, some may never forget. The impact you had made no matter how big or small has been made and there’s no changing that.
5. The Stoics’ basic idea is to only be worried about things we can change. While it’s easy to say we all want to be stoic, it’s not that simple. Yes we need to learn that we should only worry about things we can change, but we humans are stubborn. We want to take control of everything and that is how we are programmed. I wish my life was more stoic but the truth is it’s not, and I try to take control of everything. When I’m not able to take control it sucks and I continue to try to find ways to, and no matter how many times this process happens, I always try and try to hopefully keep control in every situation.
8. The author proposes that stoicism could lead to becoming cold, heartless, or even less “human”. I believe you can continue to be compassionate even being stoical. Stoicism revolves around one’s life and letting go of control over things that can’t be. So while some may practice this, it should truly only effect one’s life and not the people around them. Stoicism doesn’t neglect compassion or sensitivity for other, it’s more of self - analyzing and trying to live a better stress free life.
#H1 - Zoe Kuhn
ReplyDeleteLHP - #1
According to Epicurus, he believed fear of death is based on bad logic and the best way to live is to make your life go better, which will eventually lead to finding happiness. As well as having a simple lifestyle, being kind to others, and surrounding yourself with friends. When it comes to the thought of death, I am not afraid of death itself. I think death is inevitable but I am slightly afraid of dying. Dying is such a broad subject and since there are so many ways the end of a life can be dragged out, I think dying is more scary since you know it's coming but it takes longer for the actual death to come. However, I am even more afraid of losing others than death or dying. Losing others and having grief is one of the worst feelings in the world.
LHP - #2
The modern meaning of “epicurean” is different from Epicurus’s because the modern says that if you live lavishly and you live with nice things in your life, you’ll always long for more and things that are more lavish than what you have now - longing for something you can’t have essentially. Epicurus himself thought that giving into greedy habits and wantings led to more and more things that you want.
LHP - #3
Ludwig Wittgenstein is the famous 20th-century philosopher who echoed Epicurus’s attitude towards death and I agree with him and think that death is not something we experience after, therefore it is not an event in our life.