I've been interested in Epicureanism for a while and plan to read up some more now that I have some time on my hands.
I find it interesting that Moderns have such a weird understanding of both Epicureanism (it's all cocktails and group sex) and Stoicism (= permanent misery). I think they could both catch on if more people knew more about them.
I highly recommend Emily Austin's book on Epicureanism (very affordable! for a mass market). And there are some great substacks on here about epicureanism, namely Every Day Epicureanism.
Okay, I'm very curious about this - I never read such a word as Epicurean until I picked up Josh Hawley's book. Okay, I have HEARD of it, https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=541041. But I had never heard a twenty-first century person's worldview characterized as such. I've never heard anyone self-advocate as an Epicurean. Based on my encounter of it with Hawley, it seems more like a vague slur against the non-Christian types who change their gender & al.
Is this the right assessment? Who is actually using this word???
I think that is 100% the correct assessment. I think the blog on here “everyday epicurean” has some great work on this. If you want a modern, accessible book on epicureanism, I recommend “Living for Pleasure” by Emily Austin. But yes, the people who use the term Epicurean are typically using it demeaningly or to be synonymous with decadence.
And even the people who come around to embrace it or take some time explaining it as an appropriate stance, they were probably exposed to the notion in evangelical circles, first??
Hi! Thank you. In the other post you described yourself as a constructive sceptic. How do you align scepticism with epicureanism which is considered a dogmatic school?
The simplest way is to just not be dogmatic about it! I hold all of my views somewhat loosely. I think epicureanism is a great theory of happiness because it matches my experiences, but I’m not going to write tomes and complex philosophies based upon it.
I've been interested in Epicureanism for a while and plan to read up some more now that I have some time on my hands.
I find it interesting that Moderns have such a weird understanding of both Epicureanism (it's all cocktails and group sex) and Stoicism (= permanent misery). I think they could both catch on if more people knew more about them.
I highly recommend Emily Austin's book on Epicureanism (very affordable! for a mass market). And there are some great substacks on here about epicureanism, namely Every Day Epicureanism.
I just added it to my list. Thank you. I've read a fair bit about Epicurus. I even have Lucretius on my shelf.
Okay, I'm very curious about this - I never read such a word as Epicurean until I picked up Josh Hawley's book. Okay, I have HEARD of it, https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=541041. But I had never heard a twenty-first century person's worldview characterized as such. I've never heard anyone self-advocate as an Epicurean. Based on my encounter of it with Hawley, it seems more like a vague slur against the non-Christian types who change their gender & al.
Is this the right assessment? Who is actually using this word???
I think that is 100% the correct assessment. I think the blog on here “everyday epicurean” has some great work on this. If you want a modern, accessible book on epicureanism, I recommend “Living for Pleasure” by Emily Austin. But yes, the people who use the term Epicurean are typically using it demeaningly or to be synonymous with decadence.
And even the people who come around to embrace it or take some time explaining it as an appropriate stance, they were probably exposed to the notion in evangelical circles, first??
not sure about that, but I do think “decadent, harmful hedonism” is a ubiquitous stereotype
Hi! Thank you. In the other post you described yourself as a constructive sceptic. How do you align scepticism with epicureanism which is considered a dogmatic school?
The simplest way is to just not be dogmatic about it! I hold all of my views somewhat loosely. I think epicureanism is a great theory of happiness because it matches my experiences, but I’m not going to write tomes and complex philosophies based upon it.