Of all philosophers in the history of the world, Epicurus is among those with the most detractors, and by them he is despised as a teacher of depravity. On the other hand, there is no philosopher more beloved by those who contend that his philosophy provides the best foundation for human happiness.
Those who criticize Epicurus attack him for many reasons, but no one ever claimed that Epicurus was not clear as to what is the goal of all life, and so here at the start of Epicurean week we will tell you that now:
“Pleasure is the alpha and omega of the blessed life. For we recognize pleasure as the first good innate in us, and from pleasure we begin every act of choice and avoidance, and to pleasure we return again, using the feeling as the standard by which we judge every good.”
We will discuss later in the week how “Pleasure” encompasses in a single word all that Nature tells us to be desirable in both mind and body, but on this first day of Epicurean week we will simply introduce you to the key conclusions of Epicurearn pholosophy. Then, as the week proceeds, we will tell you in more detail about each of them, and why Epicureans believe them to be true.
First, the key conclusion of Epicurean Philosophy is that because there are no supernatural gods telling us what to do, or eternal rules of morality, the ultimate guide given by Nature by which to live is “feeling” - pleasure and pain - by which Nature tells all living things what to pursue and what to avoid.
There are no supernatural gods that give us instruction on how to live life. - The Universe is entirely natural and operates on natural principles deriving from the nature of the atoms and void. It is not the view that the universe is natural that is the problem - the problem is “super-naturalism” - the idea promoted by supernatural religion and Platonic idealism that there is a “true world” beyond this one - that is the source of great evil.
There is no life after death and therefore no rules that we must follow now in order to obtain a reward or avoid punishment after death. - Therefore you only live once and the rules you must follow are those of this life.
There are no absolute rules of virtue or morality. All good and evil comes to us through sensation. - Epicurus’s liberation of humanity comes largely through his focus on this world as the only reality and the reasoned use of the senses as our tools for navigating it.
Because there are no supernatual gods, no absolute rules of morality, and no rules of life required to protect us from what happens after death, the only guides to life are those given us by Nature - pleasure and pain. The other alleged guides to life are false and illusory. Nature gives only pleasure and pain to all living things as guides for how to live.
What was Epicurus’ basis for believing these things? That is what we will Discuss on Day Two.
Add them here
Set up emphasis on visiting and observing newborn of all species to observe what they do by nature before they are corrupted by false theoretical religions and philosophies. IE visit animal shelters, farms, zoos, and find ways (Youtube) to observe young children before they are corrupted.