I sashay off the Epicurean grid on the “What-comes-after” and “certainty” questions. I agree with you both that contributing goodness and love, and searching for truth matter more than anything on Earth.
“Certainty?” I think “certainty” on the big questions is beyond human capabilities so I remain agnostic on these core unknowns. “What does it all mean?” is a perfectly valid question, it seems to me, and “I don’t know,” is a helpful answer for me. Granted, it means that I cannot commit to materialism or to nihilism– to the idea that ultimately all of reality can be reduced to sub-atomic bits and that ultimately reality is meaningless.
I may not know what the meaning(s) is but I believe (quel dangerous verb that is) “I don’t know” advances the good more than “ultimately it all means nothing more than quarks and muons chasing entropy.”
Regrettably, I do agree. I say regrettably because it would be nice to think one could meet up with your old friends and family members but the reality is that we are made up of atoms and will be re-cycled like the stardust. Do you think it is worthwhile to leave something useful or beautiful behind? That’swhat I am trying to do, with music, verse and poetry. It might help just a bit to counter the ugliness in the world.
Anyway, that’s how I feel.
Of course its worth leaving something behind for future generations to enjoy. Epicureanism is altruistic, and so should we. Where I differ from you is I see mortality as good, its part of the natural order of things. Is it most certainly not to be feared, though my opinions may change with age!
Oh, I didn’t mean to infer that I was frightened of dying. I just have a thing about using every precious moment available, not
wasting it, and using what meagre talents I have to do things I’m proud of. So when the moment comes it can be said, “He did try!”
What is important when you are young is to uncover all your talents, because school, university, parents – they sometimes don’t do a full job on that. And then use those talents for your satisfaction and happiness for the rest of your life. Would this seem sensible to you?
The film wasn’t very good, and Bill Maher may not believe in an afterlife, but he believes in all kinds of pseudo-science nonsense, ironic given the tone of the film.
Epicurus seemed pretty certain about what happens when you die: nothing. Do you share his certainty? I think I do.
I sashay off the Epicurean grid on the “What-comes-after” and “certainty” questions. I agree with you both that contributing goodness and love, and searching for truth matter more than anything on Earth.
“Certainty?” I think “certainty” on the big questions is beyond human capabilities so I remain agnostic on these core unknowns. “What does it all mean?” is a perfectly valid question, it seems to me, and “I don’t know,” is a helpful answer for me. Granted, it means that I cannot commit to materialism or to nihilism– to the idea that ultimately all of reality can be reduced to sub-atomic bits and that ultimately reality is meaningless.
I may not know what the meaning(s) is but I believe (quel dangerous verb that is) “I don’t know” advances the good more than “ultimately it all means nothing more than quarks and muons chasing entropy.”
Regrettably, I do agree. I say regrettably because it would be nice to think one could meet up with your old friends and family members but the reality is that we are made up of atoms and will be re-cycled like the stardust. Do you think it is worthwhile to leave something useful or beautiful behind? That’swhat I am trying to do, with music, verse and poetry. It might help just a bit to counter the ugliness in the world.
Anyway, that’s how I feel.
Of course its worth leaving something behind for future generations to enjoy. Epicureanism is altruistic, and so should we. Where I differ from you is I see mortality as good, its part of the natural order of things. Is it most certainly not to be feared, though my opinions may change with age!
Oh, I didn’t mean to infer that I was frightened of dying. I just have a thing about using every precious moment available, not
wasting it, and using what meagre talents I have to do things I’m proud of. So when the moment comes it can be said, “He did try!”
What is important when you are young is to uncover all your talents, because school, university, parents – they sometimes don’t do a full job on that. And then use those talents for your satisfaction and happiness for the rest of your life. Would this seem sensible to you?
That’s definitely very sensible.
The film wasn’t very good, and Bill Maher may not believe in an afterlife, but he believes in all kinds of pseudo-science nonsense, ironic given the tone of the film.