Proselytizing for Epicureanism?
Should we proselytize and if yes, for what kind of “Epicureanism” .
Some of today’s “Epicureans” are not sure, whether they should proselytize for their creed. The hesitation is understandable, since nobody really knows, what kind of “Epicureanism” to proselytize for.
The theoretical “Epicureanism” is well known by today’s theoreticians (mostly philosophers and some psychologists) who are debating its theoretical subtleties in specialized publications and needs no further propaganda. The theoretical virtues of this “theoretical Epicureanism” are being propagated also by amateurs in blogs and on the Facebook.
Epicurus’s Epicureanism included the communal daily practice of the original creed AND lifestyle and it flourished for 800 years until 1500 years ago, because it had been quite powerfully and successfully propagated by its adherents. (The relevant evidence can be accessed in Bernard Frischer’s book “The sculpted word”).
The ancient Epicureans did proselytize because they could offer something valuable: happiness through the cultivation of stress-FREEDOM within a circle of friends. This experience was so strong that it was felt as redemptory and Epicurus was referred to as “The Redeemer” (o soter).
What kind of “Epicureanism” should or could today’s “Epicureans” proselytize for?
Some of today’s “Epicureans” do practice some elements of the complex original creed and lifestyle, like temperance through control of desires. They feel that through this practical knowledge their life has become better and they want to share this knowledge with some of their friends and acquaintances. If they do, is that “proselytizing”?
Others might wish to reload the whole range of the original theory AND practice and they might try to launch communal projects, like cultivating a vegetable garden together or moving closer to each other or building “extended families” of like-minded Epicurean friends, very much like the ancient Epicureans did. If they let their endeavors know, is that “proselytizing”?
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