Some links to further guide your study: * Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io * Full transcript: open.substack.com/pub/johnathanbi/p/transcript-for-interview-with-katharina-volk-on-epicureanism Companion lectures and interviews: * Lecture on Shakespeare's Caesar: Coming soon. * Katharina Volk on Cicero & Caesar: ua-cam.com/video/I5qQztnTVPQ/v-deo.html * Katharina Volk on Stoicism: ua-cam.com/video/tHbdG_Q4hbY/v-deo.html Professor Volk's Book: * The Roman Republic of Letters: amzn.to/4fsFD9K (affiliate) * My book notes: open.substack.com/pub/johnathanbi/p/roman-republic-of-letters-by-katharina TIMESTAMPS 00:00 0. Introduction 02:19 1. What is Epicureanism? 18:31 2. Atticus the Epicurean 24:51 3. Why Epicureans Entered Politics 40:25 4. Why Romans Entered Politics
Political engagement often does pass hedonic calculus for many Epicureans: Thomas Jefferson said "I too am an Epicurean" in his Epistle to William Short, and later wrote "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" into the Declaration of independence, which shows the Epicurean DNA of his Enlightenment values. As a result, this is now part of OUR social contract. Jose Mujica (former president of Uruguay) gave an Epicurean sermon before the United Nations (and the Epicureans of Greece dedicated one of their annual symposia to Mujica as a result). Mujica was known for his simple lifestyle even when he was president, and frequently says things in his interviews that denote a strong Epicurean ethical commitment. Also, the Epicureans of Greece were engaged in activism in recent years with the Pallini Declaration, which requested the government of the EU to recognize the right to happiness for all European citizens.
Concerning politics, Epicurus says in his Principal Doctrine 6: "To secure protection from men anything is a natural good by which you may be able to attain this end." This has been used to justify involvement, but there is a passage in book 5 of "De rerum natura" where he says "Better by far be subject, and at peace, than will to govern the world and hold a throne!" (DRN V.1129-1130), and in that book Lucretius explains some of the Epicurean arguments against involvement in politics and why it often does not pass hedonic calculus.
I think an Epicurean would join in politics to bring about greater good (pleasure) for their community. But they would definitely be against anyone joining politics for the hope of power over others and glory, which is often a corrosive desire that motivates politicians. Power and glory can lead to pleasures…but often the means of obtaining them eventually cause more pain than pleasure. For example the mental anguish of betrayal of friends and principles. Anthony Adams.
Excellent as always. Would be interested in getting some context to your relationship or background, and if this is the second or third interview. Paints a picture and creates a meta story for us, the viewers, to follow. Also, just curious 😁
You always find such excellent locations to film these discussions, where do you find them? Regardless, the work that you do with these videos is marvelous
Hi Johnathan, I'm not expecting a reply. I listen to every episode, and I appreciate any nuggets of wisdom here and there. You seem to understand the psyche of rich kids really well: often wanting to differentiate themselves from their parents, desiring success for the sake of glory or family pressures, wanting to become self-made etc. What would you do if you were in the same position? Or what examples do you have of people who took advantage of their opportunity instead of rotting in comfort?
I know many people who grew up in privilege that did not waste their opportunity. However it’s less about what they did that differentiates them from those who did. It’s more about the values that the family/culture instilled in them. Ie. much credit goes to the parent. Thanks for following my work so closely
@@bi.johnathan But how does a philosophy become acceptable and at what point do academics even acknowledge it? Why is it not obvious that if you extrapolate this way of life exponentially that it leads to poverty and enslavement? At what point is it just declared inferior and sub-optimal for the world? Is there another word for way of life that is so sub-optimal that it is not allowed to be academically acknowledged as a philosophy? Or is this just a matter of acknowledging it for history’s sake? Because there was a point in history where it was acknowledged.
Some links to further guide your study:
* Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io
* Full transcript: open.substack.com/pub/johnathanbi/p/transcript-for-interview-with-katharina-volk-on-epicureanism
Companion lectures and interviews:
* Lecture on Shakespeare's Caesar: Coming soon.
* Katharina Volk on Cicero & Caesar: ua-cam.com/video/I5qQztnTVPQ/v-deo.html
* Katharina Volk on Stoicism: ua-cam.com/video/tHbdG_Q4hbY/v-deo.html
Professor Volk's Book:
* The Roman Republic of Letters: amzn.to/4fsFD9K (affiliate)
* My book notes: open.substack.com/pub/johnathanbi/p/roman-republic-of-letters-by-katharina
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 0. Introduction
02:19 1. What is Epicureanism?
18:31 2. Atticus the Epicurean
24:51 3. Why Epicureans Entered Politics
40:25 4. Why Romans Entered Politics
Political engagement often does pass hedonic calculus for many Epicureans: Thomas Jefferson said "I too am an Epicurean" in his Epistle to William Short, and later wrote "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" into the Declaration of independence, which shows the Epicurean DNA of his Enlightenment values. As a result, this is now part of OUR social contract. Jose Mujica (former president of Uruguay) gave an Epicurean sermon before the United Nations (and the Epicureans of Greece dedicated one of their annual symposia to Mujica as a result). Mujica was known for his simple lifestyle even when he was president, and frequently says things in his interviews that denote a strong Epicurean ethical commitment. Also, the Epicureans of Greece were engaged in activism in recent years with the Pallini Declaration, which requested the government of the EU to recognize the right to happiness for all European citizens.
Concerning politics, Epicurus says in his Principal Doctrine 6: "To secure protection from men anything is a natural good by which you may be able to attain this end." This has been used to justify involvement, but there is a passage in book 5 of "De rerum natura" where he says "Better by far be subject, and at peace, than will to govern the world and hold a throne!" (DRN V.1129-1130), and in that book Lucretius explains some of the Epicurean arguments against involvement in politics and why it often does not pass hedonic calculus.
I think an Epicurean would join in politics to bring about greater good (pleasure) for their community. But they would definitely be against anyone joining politics for the hope of power over others and glory, which is often a corrosive desire that motivates politicians. Power and glory can lead to pleasures…but often the means of obtaining them eventually cause more pain than pleasure. For example the mental anguish of betrayal of friends and principles. Anthony Adams.
I like professor Volk in these interviews, she is always very enthusiastic!
You should check out her book which these interviews are based off of. Fascinating stuff!
Love how he speaks to the viewership as students?
Excellent as always. Would be interested in getting some context to your relationship or background, and if this is the second or third interview. Paints a picture and creates a meta story for us, the viewers, to follow. Also, just curious 😁
She taught at the school I studied at but didn’t know her then. Loved her book romance republic of letters and based the three interviews off of that.
Karl marx was actually influenced by epicurus idea which is really interesting to think.
You always find such excellent locations to film these discussions, where do you find them? Regardless, the work that you do with these videos is marvelous
the magic of google :)
@@bi.johnathan cheeky guy
Hi Johnathan,
I'm not expecting a reply. I listen to every episode, and I appreciate any nuggets of wisdom here and there.
You seem to understand the psyche of rich kids really well: often wanting to differentiate themselves from their parents, desiring success for the sake of glory or family pressures, wanting to become self-made etc.
What would you do if you were in the same position? Or what examples do you have of people who took advantage of their opportunity instead of rotting in comfort?
I know many people who grew up in privilege that did not waste their opportunity. However it’s less about what they did that differentiates them from those who did. It’s more about the values that the family/culture instilled in them. Ie. much credit goes to the parent.
Thanks for following my work so closely
Why are you not on Spotify Jonathan Bi?😢
I am!
“You can imagine my surprise, then…” when my country was taken over by a power hungry evil army of people who don’t share my Epicurean values…
Yes, we actually discuss a version of this problem in the interview. How Epicureans are “freeloaders.”
@@bi.johnathan what could possibly be the utility of such a “philosophy”?
Simply put, it helps the practitioner maximize pleasure which they conceive to be the highest good.
@@bi.johnathan But how does a philosophy become acceptable and at what point do academics even acknowledge it? Why is it not obvious that if you extrapolate this way of life exponentially that it leads to poverty and enslavement? At what point is it just declared inferior and sub-optimal for the world? Is there another word for way of life that is so sub-optimal that it is not allowed to be academically acknowledged as a philosophy? Or is this just a matter of acknowledging it for history’s sake? Because there was a point in history where it was acknowledged.
@@billbrown1353 Epicurean as a philosopher is more for personal fulfillment and not a denial of the harsh realities of life.
Epi-Korean 😅😂😅
First
Great pleasure is yours
Not another buzzword of the moment.