Epicureans and Stoics-LHP 4-5. Weiner 6, 12. Rec: FL 7-8. HWT 6-8. Select midterm report presentation topic & date: indicate 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.
1. Epicurus argued the fear of death is based on bad logic, and individuals should seek a simple lifestyle in order to prevent disappointment. Personally, I do not fear death due to my religious beliefs. I know that the work I have done in this life will be worth it in the end, when I get to see the face of my Savior. It is natural to worry about losing others because we care about the people most important to us. However, I have learned to be content with whatever happens. Good can come out of even some of the worst situations.
ReplyDelete3. He believed death was not an event in our life; we are not there to experience it because we no longer exist. It is hard for me to comment on this because not many of us—if any of us—know what death is like. However, I do believe in a life after this one. So to me, death is just the beginning. Many of the philosophers we have studied so far derive their beliefs from a non-religious standpoint. As mentioned in the end of chapter four, these views do not necessarily resonate with those of a faith.
8. The cost of stoicism is the potential risk of becoming cold, heartless, and less sympathetic. I would not say it is impossible to purse this philosophy and have emotion. I do believe it would be very difficult to balance the two. They are somewhat conflicting. One thing that I always thought was strange was Socrates response to his wife when she “overreacted” at his execution. He dismissed her emotional response. Maybe Socrates lacked deep emotion and sympathy?
I have also wondered if these men struggled with pride? That their way of thinking was superior to others? Whether it was a direct belief or a subconscious thought.
1. According to Epicurus, fear of death is based on what, and the best way to live is what? Are (or were) you afraid of death, or of dying? Are you more afraid of losing others?
ReplyDeleteEpicurus taught that the fear of death is based on bad logic and that the best way to live is simply, surrounded by friends. He believed fulfillment and satisfaction are not derived from material gain but instead a set of simple factors that are attainable via humble means.
I’m not sure “fear” is the best word to describe how I feel about death. If my life was put in danger I would be afraid, but the concept of death doesn’t frighten me. It’s inevitable and I’ve thought about nonexistence before birth and after death in the same way as Epicurus for a while now. I didn’t know that it was attributable to Epicurus until today though. The aspect of death that bothers me most isn’t remotely my own nonexistence. It’s the knowledge that myself, my wife, my children, my parents, my friends, Kanye West, my neighbors, anyone who exists now and will ever exist will eventually be a rotting corpse. What a bummer
1. What was the Stoics' basic idea, and what was their aim? Are you generally stoical in life?
ReplyDeleteStoics believed people should only worry about the things they can change. In addition, stoics believed that we are in control of our emotions and how we react to unexpected events in our lives. They believed that we shouldn’t act on our emotions because they cloud our judgment. Oftentimes, people make very rash and spur-of-the-moment actions because they act on how they feel rather than acting on their thoughts. This can lead to regret and disappointment, which nobody wants to feel. I would say, personally, one of the most important things I do in my life is strive to be as stoic as possible. Seeing as people are easily moved emotionally, especially in modern times, I try to put thought into everything negative that occurs in my life. For example, this could mean trying to understand what mental state people might be in if they are rude to me, not reacting emotionally when people make questionable decisions when driving in front of me, and even controlling my emotions when weather conditions are not ideal. All of these situations allow me to expand my thought process and not make bad decisions that could backfire on me.
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?
Seneca believed that life wasn’t too short, but rather, we don’t use our time wisely. Many people in the past, present, and future generations don’t spend their time well enough and then complain as to why there is not enough time in the day. In the end, everyone experiences the same 24 hours, what matters is what you do with them. I think, personally, I use my time wisely but also allow myself moments to relax and do things I enjoy. With entertainment being at the touch of our fingertips, it can be very easy to let time slip away and get lost in the constant consumption of content. While consuming information is important, one needs to be able to spend the majority of their time creating and improving himself. With improvement being the backbone of human existence, having the ability to balance these two things is a very important concept. As far as improving my own time management, I will always have room to enhance this skill. Even if what I do is sloppy or short-lived, doing every single repetition with the best effort every single day greatly matters in the big picture of my own life.
3. What does the author say might be the cost of stoicism? Is it possible to be stoical but also appropriately compassionate, caring, sensitive to others' suffering, etc.?
The author says the cost of stoicism is becoming cold-hearted and pretty much emotionless. He believes this because stoicism is often seen to be a practice of little emotion with no human interaction and only work. I think this idea is completely ridiculous, as stoicism is simply the idea of controlling your emotions and not acting on instinct. This does not mean being completely void of all emotions, but rather, I would argue, it makes someone more akin and aligned with their mental state. Oftentimes being stoic is likened to self improvement and can greatly enhance your way of living. This practice could also mean treating others in a positive light as you are likely to react more optimistic in any negative situations that might arise. I think stoicism is a very good concept for everyone to learn, because it allows the individual to learn how to control their emotions when put into tough situations.
1.) Epicurus basically says that our fear of death is based on us thinking that we can see what happens after it and that we go on even after we die. He said that the best way to live is to understand that what happens afterwards shouldn't worry us because we won't be here to know what happens, and that we should have the importance of what happens afterwards as much to being as much as what happened before we were born. I'm not particularly afraid of dying if I'm being honest. All I think about is what am I going to do this very moment and what will I do with the time I have because one day I will die. I want to use my time wisely. As for losing others, I am afraid of losing them more because losing them means I have to go on without them and only be left with the thoughts of them when they were alive.
ReplyDelete3.) The twentieth century philosopher that is mentioned is named Ludwig Wittgenstein. I agree only in that we won't experience death afterwards. We won't feel our body or even be here to see what happens afterwards, but I do think that we do experience what happens right before our death.
7.) Seneca thought that life was long enough to do everything you want in life depending on the choices you make. I use my time wisely enough to get done what I want, but I could use it better and look into things that can help me better when it comes to things later on down the line.
^ This is Jonathan Dopp ^
Delete1.According to Epicurus, fear of death is based on what, and the best way to live is what? Are (or were) you afraid of death, or of dying? Are you more afraid of losing others?
ReplyDeleteHe states being scared of death is "a waste of time and based on a bad logic". Yes I was afraid of death and still am but do not fear it as it is the inevitable. I would say I am more afraid of losing friends and family members and going through that than my own death.
3.What famous 20th century philosopher echoed Epicurus's attitude towards death? Do you agree with him?
Ludwig Wittgenstein believes that once we are dead we do not feel what happens to our body. I do agree that you will not feel the pain that you suffered from in your death or however it is you passed.
5.What was the Stoics' basic idea, and what was their aim? Are you generally stoical in life?
The basic idea is that we should only worry about things that we can change. I do like the idea of this and would say that I am typically stoical in life
LHP
ReplyDelete1. According to Epicurus, fear of death is based on what, and the best way to live is what? Are (or were) you afraid of death, or of dying? Are you more afraid of losing others?
He believed that death was based on bad logic as overcoming the fear of death would make your life more content which is why it is bad logic to continue on fretting over an issue like death that'll delay your happiness. I was at one point afraid of death as I would have nightmares of situations where I was dying and even had one where I was buried alive. Right now though, I am more afraid of losing love ones especially my younger siblings as it would definitely make me depress to see my younger brother whom is 16 years younger than me, die before I do. This is why I am less afraid of death and that is because I accept the fact that I would most likely die before my siblings and I am ok with that as I know that by then, I would have done a lot of things in my life to make it satisfactory.
3. What famous 20th century philosopher echoed Epicurus's attitude towards death? Do you agree with him?
Ludwig Wittgenstein believed that death is not an event that we experience since we experience things before we die an not during or after. I agree because the moments before your death are th emost painful moments of your life and once you die, there really isn't anything to consider that death itself is painful or uncomfortable.
5. What was the Stoics' basic idea, and what was their aim? Are you generally stoical in life?
The stoics believed that we are responsible for emotional responses and that we should remove them altogether. I would say sometimes as I do try to refrain from showing certain emotions because I would later feel embarrassed but most of the time I can be expressive when I need especially at home.