Life Enhancing Benefits of Epicurean Philosophy

Why study Epicurean philosophy?

There could be many reasons why a given individual might want to study this philosophy.

1) An enjoyment of engaging the mind in philosophical thinking - this might be experienced differently for everyone, and could be an aspect of reading, taking notes, listening to podcasts, or in engaging personal contemplation or interpretation of the philosophy.

2) The enjoyment of philosophical discussion - engaging with others in a way that challenges one's own thinking -- or discussing the philosophy in order to come to a better understanding.

3) Learning, contemplating, and putting into practice the wisdom of this philosophy -- as a means toward living a better life.

How does Epicurean philosophy help one live a better life?

1) There can be ease and peace which arises when one feels more clear and understands one's own personal worldview -- a worldview which is free of superstitious thinking, free of a belief in a supernatural god -- as well as free of the fear of death and free of what might happen after death.

2) The worldview of Epicureanism helps one make decisions in a more consistent and wise manner -- the way in which choices are made.

3) Epicurean philosophy helps one live life in a much more pleasant and enjoyable way -- by making choices which lead to a wise and happy life -- the types of choices one makes.

4) Epicurean philosophy puts engagement with wise friends as a central component of learning the philosophy and living enjoyably.

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Epicurean Philosophy for the Sensitive Soul

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A Happy Life: the Emotional Feeling Tone of the Epicurean Lifestyle

Does the Epicurean lifestyle lead to a happier life? I would like to present the idea that happiness is a practice that can be learned. So it is possible to enhance one's happiness by doing and thinking certain things. In several of the Epicurean verses we see indications of the feeling tone present in an Epicurean lifestyle: "One must laugh and seek wisdom and tend to one's home life and use one's other goods, and always recount the pronouncements of true philosophy." (VS 41) "Friendship dances around the world, announcing to each of us that we must awaken to happiness." (VS 52) "It is not the young man who is most happy, but the old man who has lived beautifully; for despite being at his very peak the young man stumbles around as if he were of many minds, whereas the old man has settled into old age as if in a harbor, secure in his gratitude for the good things he was once unsure of." (VS 17) Consider the feeling tone of your last three d

Inhabiting the World as an Epicurean

In this post I take up point number 4, for both extroverts as well as the introvert "sensitive souls" among us. As Epicureans how do we see ourselves in relation to the world? And how do we feel our own self-presence? How do we move through the world? How do we inhabit the world? There is a Bible verse about "being in the world but not of it", but as Epicureans I would suggest that we take up the opposite idea -- of being in the world AND of it. We are not separate from the world and we aren't going somewhere better when we die. This is it. So how do we want to live this one life that we have? For the sensitive soul we may decide to create and spend some time in a nice nest or retreat (maybe a "man-cave"/"woman-cave" we've set up somewhere in our homes). This could be a place for creative activities and/or for meditation. Yet, fully inhabiting this world has so much to offer -- beauty, fun, and pleasurable new experiences. Making wi

21st Century Epicurean

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