Stoics, Skeptics, and Epicureans

Hit it with a shovel.  HERE .

Howdy.  Soon you will hear from the College, I think, or maybe you already have. Here's one detail to pick out that needs prompt attention. Whether you want to use your computer, your phone, or some other device, you should download a program (or app) called Microsoft TEAMS. It has many capabilities, and I'll tell you more about how we'll use them later. For now, download it, and try logging on.  You'll use the same username and password that you use for your normal Hendrix login. Since not every professor has "activated" their class on TEAMS, I don't know what you'll see when you login.  I'm just suggesting that you login and look around, to begin getting familiar with it.  That's it for now.  Stay safe.  Don't worry.  Get sunshine, or some rain on your head.  We're going to get through this. 

OK.  Well, this is new. And we're not sure exactly how it will go.  The faculty is going to take next week to develop a plan, and then classes will resume after spring break...just not on campus. First of all, you should all buy corncob pipes.  The worst thing about actually being in a classroom is that you can't smoke a pipe.  Well, classrooms are in the pre-apocalyptic past.  Get a pipe. My hunch is that we won't try to have a "video" class on the same schedule as our old class.  Too many technical issues.  There may be some opportunities for audio meet-ups, perhaps in small groups at different times, to discuss stuff.  Maybe I'll sometimes record and post short "lectures" on various topics along the way.  I'll do office hours via phone or Skype.  But mostly, I'm guessing, we'll use a threaded text discussion here, or some other e-place.  And assignments can be emailed to me, or uploaded to a common folder. It&#

Read up to the end of section #30.  You'll start to see some more dimension to the idea now, and even some more specific talk about "how to live."  Read this carefully enough to do some in-class writing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y01-Kmx69w

1)  Read (STUDY) the first 20 numbered sections of the Enchiridion by Epictetus.  HERE 2)  Consider your own plans for your future.  That it, reflect upon your hopes for private and public life.  What are they?  How would they be different if you were to become a stoic?  Write this up, bring it to class (2 pages, max).

OK, we'll keep returning to Epicurus and his friendly gardens.  But now we must turn to the Stoics , a rival philosophical school. Let's rest our eyes a little bit.  Follow the link to a podcast that gives a good intro. Why not listen to it twice? Take notes.  I will quiz you on this.       HERE . *** This bit is not required, but for those of you who want to read Lucretius's Epicurean take on lust and sex, as we discussed in class, follow this link to Chapter 4 of his masterpiece, On the Nature of Things, and scroll all the down until you get to the section called "The Passion of Love."    HERE .

Here are some fragments collected from lots of sources.  Study them.  HERE .