Ideas from 'Letter to Menoeceus' by Epicurus [291 BCE], by Theme Structure
[found in 'The Epicurus Reader' by Epicurus (ed/tr Inwood,B. /Gerson,L.) [Hackett 1994,0-87220-241-0]].
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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 2. Invocation to Philosophy
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14052
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Begin philosophy when you are young, and keep going when you are old
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16. Persons / F. Free Will / 6. Determinism / b. Fate
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14062
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Sooner follow mythology, than accept the 'fate' of natural philosophers
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16. Persons / F. Free Will / 7. Compatibilism
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1837
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We should not refer things to irresponsible necessity, but either to fortune or to our own will
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20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / a. Practical reason
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1836
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Prudence is more valuable than philosophy, because it avoids confusions of the soul
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20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 4. Responsibility for Actions
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14061
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Our own choices are autonomous, and the basis for praise and blame
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22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / e. Death
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14053
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It is absurd to fear the pain of death when you are not even facing it
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14054
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Fearing death is absurd, because we are not present when it occurs
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14055
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The wisdom that produces a good life also produces a good death
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / f. Good as pleasure
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14057
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All pleasures are good, but it is not always right to choose them
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14058
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Pleasure is the goal, but as lack of pain and calm mind, not as depraved or greedy pleasure
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1833
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Pleasure is the first good in life
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / i. Moral luck
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14063
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Sooner a good decision going wrong, than a bad one turning out for the good
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / d. Routes to happiness
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14059
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The best life is not sensuality, but rational choice and healthy opinion
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / a. Nature of pleasure
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1835
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True pleasure is not debauchery, but freedom from physical and mental pain
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure
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14056
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We only need pleasure when we have the pain of desire
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23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / b. Basis of virtue
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14060
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Prudence is the greatest good, and more valuable than philosophy, because it produces virtue
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