13. Epicurus on Death Anxiety

In this episode we unpack "Letter to Menoeceus" by Ancient Greek Philosopher Epicurus.

The Letter explores...

-Why death is not something we need to fear

-Why those who need luxury least are the ones who enjoy it most

-How to make calculations to maximize pleasure and tranquility

Links to Reading and articles mentioned

"Letter to Menoceus" by Epicurus

"Money Buys Happiness Only to a Certain Point" by Andrew T. Jebb of Purdue University

"Death" by Thomas Nagel

"Better Never to Have Been" by David Benatar"

**note** reading is not required to enjoy the episode!

Host: Zach Stehura Unpackingideas.com

Guest: Daniel Libin

Theme Music: Polyenso Listen here

Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:04 Section 1

00:03:00 Philosophy is for The Old and Young

00:06:28 Happiness is Not Everything, but Unhappiness is

00:09:38 Happiness vs. Ataraxia vs. Eudaemonia

00:15:34 Section 2

00:17:32 Gods Aren’t Concerned with Human Affairs

00:20:00 Section 3

00:21:29 Epicurean Death Argument

00:22:55 Alief vs. Belief

00:25:45 Aristotle’s 3 types of Arguments

00:26:47 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

00:29:25 Near Death Experiences

00:30:04 Fear of Death vs. Fear of Dying

00:31:17 Death Anxiety

00:32:41 Thomas Nagel’s Counter Argument to Epicurus

00:42:58 Section 4

00:45:00 Better to Have Never Been?

00:52:30 Section 5

00:53:47 Ataroxia

00:54:44 Buddhism vs. Epicureanism

01:01:14 Section 6

01:02:32 Epicureanism vs. Hedonism

01:07:35 All Pain is Bad, but Sometimes We Should Choose the Painful Option

01:09:00 Hedonic Calculation

01:10:30 Section 7

01:12:18 Misinterpretations of Epicureanism

01:13:54 Those Who Least Need Extravagances, Enjoy Them the Most

01:16:47 “Everything Natural is Easy to Obtain, Whatever is Groundless is Hard to Obtain”

01:24:23 Section 8

01:25:14 Prudence & Justice

01:28:40 Section 9

01:30:37 Better to Be Virtuous than Lucky

01:33:08 Wrapping up/Outro