Author: Cassius Amicus
-
To the Hearts In Darkness: A Brief Introduction to Epicurus
When Thomas Jefferson wrote “I too am an Epicurean,” he was not referring to his taste in food or wine. Most people today are familiar with Epicurus only from the...
-
Freedom Isn’t Free – Agora, the movie (2010)
This weekend I had the opportunity to see Agora, the recent movie starring Rachel Weisz. Agora is now showing only in the U.S., in very limited distribution prior to the...
-
Not by Chance, Not by Fortune, Not by Fate, Not by Accident, and Not by the Gods was the World Made, But by Natural Law
Epicurus has been slandered through the ages with the contention that he taught that the universe arose “by accident.” Religionists warned their flocks away from Epicurus by arguing that the...
-
No Fate But What We Make
A discussion of the details of “Terminator 2” is far beyond the scope of this blog, but composites made from two scenes of that movie form a good frame for...
-
On The Critical Distinction Between “Events” And “Accidents”
In the course of preparing a presentation of De Rerum Natura with the translations of Cyril Bailey, H.A.J. Munro, and the original Latin in parallel, I came across a translation...
-
Illustrating Epicureanism Through A Pompeian Mosaic
Short of some future scholar uncovering an inscription confirming the purpose of the mosaic found in the house of Marcus Vesonius Primus in Pompeii, there is no way for us to...
-
Epicurean Art in the Ancient World
This post is to announce a new page devoted to collecting images of art from the ancient world which appear to have Epicurean themes. Please email suggestions for inclusion in...
-
Why We All Need Philosophy
Today’s addition to the website is a page on Seneca’s References to Epicurus. This presents the opportunity to highlight a passage that has long been one of my favorites: “Would...
-
Updates: Excerpts from De Rerum Natura, and an Annotated version of the Principal Doctrines
Today brings two significant revisions to the website: (1) a presentation of excerpts from De Rerum Natura, and (2) a revised presentation of the Principle Doctrines organized with relevant references...
-
For New Students of Epicurus
When I first started this web page, my goal was as stated in the page banner, to “promote the study of the philosophy of Epicurus.” I phrased the goal in...