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