Episode 208: Epicurus on Seeking Pleasure (Part One)

The Partially Examined Life

Content provided by Audioboom and Mark Linsenmayer. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Audioboom and Mark Linsenmayer or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.

5+ y ago 50:16

MP3•Episode home

On the extant fragments of Epicurus (341–270 BCE) dealing with ethics, including his "Letter to Menoceus," “The Principal Doctrines,” and “The Vatican Collection of Epicurean Sayings.” Plus Tim O’Keefe’s Epicureanism (2010) and Martha Nussabum’s The Therapy of Desire (1994).

How are we supposed to act once we understand nature as atoms bouncing and swerving around in the void, temporarily producing order through fortuitous collisions? Ruling out demanding gods means ethics is dictated by human nature: we avoid pain and pursue pleasure. However, we're very bad at this, and Epicurus wants to fix all of us!

Don't wait for part two; get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition now.

Come see us live in NYC on Apr. 6. Read more at partiallyexaminedlife.com/pel-live. Don't forget your 2019 Wall Calendar with free domestic shipping: partiallyexaminedlife.com/calendar.

Sponsors: Visit thegreatcoursesplus.com/PEL and EXPRESSVPN.com/PEL.

1192 episodes

#Audioboom #Mark Linsenmayer #Religion #Pretty In Pop #Philosophy #Society