Ancient Philosophy for Today: Why Epicureanism Deserves Your Attention

In this episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, I’m joined by Anthony David Vernon, adjunct professor of philosophy at St. Thomas University and Miami Dade College, to explore Epicureanism, an ancient Greek philosophy that offers surprising wisdom for our modern struggles. While stoicism dominates social media feeds, Epicureanism provides a refreshing alternative focused on finding pleasure through simplicity, friendship, and the removal of unnecessary pain.

Anthony helps us understand how Epicurean principles might combat today’s challenges of hyper-consumerism, social media anxiety, and the constant pursuit of productivity. We discuss practical applications, misconceptions about pleasure vs. hedonism, and why this forgotten philosophy might be exactly what we need in our chaotic modern world.

📙 More from this episode:
– Anthony and I’s I Ching episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-rjMNUMOUM
– Anthony’s Mixtapes: https://www.winamop.com/av2400.htm
– Anthony’s Work Pt. 1: https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/anthony_david_vernon
– Anthony’s Work Pt. 2: https://medium.com/@antmanvernon305
– Contrapoints conspiracy video: https://youtu.be/teqkK0RLNkI?si=CWqAl0aAyktIKKyn
– The Art of Happiness: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Happiness-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143107216

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🎭 Joel Austin is an actor, writer, filmmaker, and podcaster living in Los Angeles, CA. He teaches at UCLA Ext. and produces Beyond the Walled Garden with Joel Austin. He releases multiple videos and shorts every week. Find more about him below. 🎭

⭐ More about Joel Austin:
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0:00 Intro
4:34 Anthony’s Beats
5:10 Anthony’s Background
6:12 Stoicism Vs. Epicureanism
9:02 Epicurean “Pleasure”
9:39 Epicurean “Pain”
11:13 Solo Vs. group Epicureanism
13:35 Duty & Epicureanism
16:47 What a modern Epicurean life might look like
18:43 What a modern Epicurean group might look like
20:18 Why Epicureanism suits the modern age
21:25 How to start Epicureanism
23:42 Remove a lot and add a lot?
28:26 Metaphysics of Stoics & Epicureans
31:51 How students respond to Epicureanism
33:42 Epicurean prescription to remove pain
34:51 Overcoming fear of death
38:43 What a modern Epicurean might say to a Stoic
41:29 Self-realization is the path to growth
42:47 Epicureanism in Anthony’s life
45:04 The “Duty” of being informed
49:50 Are pleasure and pain opposed?
52:25 Why does ancient philosophy have such staying power?
57:35 Modern relevant philosophy
1:01:11 Where is the US philosophically?
1:04:44 Still struggling with the death of God
1:09:04 Wrapping Up