Category: Thomas Jefferson
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On The Organization Of Thomas Jefferson’s Summary of the Philosophy of Epicurus
At the end of his letter to William Short dated October 31, 1819, Thomas Jefferson attached the following outline of his view of the central doctrines of Epicurus. Aside from...
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It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names [such as Plato] so artificially magnified.
From Thomas Jefferson’s letter to William Short of August 4, 1820, here is a useful reminder of the errors of the philosopher with whom Epicurus so often disagreed: [T]he superlative...
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Master and Student: Epicurus and Jefferson on the Changing Aspects of Justice
Key Doctrines 37 and 38 state the Epicurean principle that “justice” does not exist in Plato’s forms, religions’ revelations, or in any way outside of the happiness of those men...
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Following A 2000-Year Trail In Pursuit of “Anticipations”
Let’s see if we can follow a trail and connect some dots that may well exist between Epicurus and two writers from the eighteenth century, and in so doing see...
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Epicureanism Applied 2000 Years Later By Thomas Jefferson: “Everything in this world is a matter of calculation.”
How do we apply Epicureanism today? Is it a hopeless task to consider whether Epicurus’ clearly stated views apply to us two thousand years later? Epicurus taught in principles that...
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For Your Twentieth of August: A Thought From the Marquis De Condorcet
Peace and Safety for Your Twentieth of August! As Thomas Jefferson said in his letter to William Short: “I am glad the bust of Condorcet has been saved and so...
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Against Plato II – The Commentary of Thomas Jefferson
“I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.” “To...