Category: Introductory Material
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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The Example of Cassius The Liberator Shows The Way
What do we know about the life of Gaius Cassius Longinus, the Liberator, that might be relevant in the study of Epicureanism? (“Liberator” is so much nicer a term than...
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Caveat Emptor: Pick Your Texts and Commentaries Carefully!
The student of Epicurus would do well to remember that misrepresentations of Epicurus’ views, whether intentional or innocent, did not end with Cicero in ancient times. As DeWitt suggested, even...
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Common Fallacies About Epicurus (#2): Epicurus maintained that Pleasure is the “Greatest Good”
A close reading of the evidence indicates clearly that Epicurus taught that life itself, rather than pleasure, is the “greatest good.” This issue ranks with the statement “all sensations are...