When we study Epicureanism, we often find that we must revisit a subject over and over again, both by ourselves and with other students of like mind, so that we can slowly assimilate when we’re being taught.
I was confused at first how “air” and “wind” could be differentiated and your explanation is helpful; maybe the “calm/anxiety” distinction could correspond to “parasympathetic/sympathetic” nervous systems? Thales of Miletus knew of static electricity from amber and the electric shock produced by torpedo rays was known to Ancient Greeks, who even used electric fish therapeutically as a treatment for gout and other painful conditions; I read that the word “narcotising” comes from Greek να ́ρκη (transliterated as nárkē) and was used to describe electric fish.
Relating “heat” to desire or digestion seems more suggestive of acid reflux or dyspepsia (which incidentally has the same root as the trade-name “Pepsi”). Could the “calor” element have rather been connected with the comfort experienced by warmth (like an internal source equivalent to insulating clothing or warm weather)?
Hi Graeme! Hmm those are interesting connections. I'll have to read more on the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems.
Your mention of warmth versus cold also is something I thought about when I read Liber Tertivs, and it seems like the "aer" element is tied to coolness, or a happy medium between the extremes of Aurea (cold winds) and Calor (heat) in the body and psyche.
I read that there is research that shows that isolation feels cold in the body, and people have always talked about "human warmth" and the warmth of loved ones, so maybe these elements of the soul point the finger at the physicality of our social constitution? Here is the source:
Cold and Lonely: Does Social Exclusion Literally Feel Cold?
Also, the "Calor / heat" element might be connected to the Ayurvedic Hindu concept of "fire in the belly" (the sacrificial fire that consumes what we eat, what is sacrificed to our bodies) and the digestive system, and I wonder if this is an ancient medical theory that travelled through the silk road.
That’s an interesting study! The authors write, “We found that the experience of social exclusion literally feels cold”; I’ve always been skeptical of the entire discipline of psychology, because I think its research usually fails to determine a connection between cause and effect. My personal experience is that philosophy is more therapeutic (as could be labelled “logotherapy”) than any variety of modern psychological therapy. Epicurean philosophy, in particular, is something I have found therapeutic; I think this relates to the sense of personal empowerment it provides. As to what Lucretius meant by his descriptions of warmth: I will need to listen again to DRN!
I was confused at first how “air” and “wind” could be differentiated and your explanation is helpful; maybe the “calm/anxiety” distinction could correspond to “parasympathetic/sympathetic” nervous systems? Thales of Miletus knew of static electricity from amber and the electric shock produced by torpedo rays was known to Ancient Greeks, who even used electric fish therapeutically as a treatment for gout and other painful conditions; I read that the word “narcotising” comes from Greek να ́ρκη (transliterated as nárkē) and was used to describe electric fish.
Relating “heat” to desire or digestion seems more suggestive of acid reflux or dyspepsia (which incidentally has the same root as the trade-name “Pepsi”). Could the “calor” element have rather been connected with the comfort experienced by warmth (like an internal source equivalent to insulating clothing or warm weather)?
Hi Graeme! Hmm those are interesting connections. I'll have to read more on the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems.
Your mention of warmth versus cold also is something I thought about when I read Liber Tertivs, and it seems like the "aer" element is tied to coolness, or a happy medium between the extremes of Aurea (cold winds) and Calor (heat) in the body and psyche.
I read that there is research that shows that isolation feels cold in the body, and people have always talked about "human warmth" and the warmth of loved ones, so maybe these elements of the soul point the finger at the physicality of our social constitution? Here is the source:
Cold and Lonely: Does Social Exclusion Literally Feel Cold?
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/cold-and-lonely-does-social-exclusion-literally-feel-cold.html
Also, the "Calor / heat" element might be connected to the Ayurvedic Hindu concept of "fire in the belly" (the sacrificial fire that consumes what we eat, what is sacrificed to our bodies) and the digestive system, and I wonder if this is an ancient medical theory that travelled through the silk road.
That’s an interesting study! The authors write, “We found that the experience of social exclusion literally feels cold”; I’ve always been skeptical of the entire discipline of psychology, because I think its research usually fails to determine a connection between cause and effect. My personal experience is that philosophy is more therapeutic (as could be labelled “logotherapy”) than any variety of modern psychological therapy. Epicurean philosophy, in particular, is something I have found therapeutic; I think this relates to the sense of personal empowerment it provides. As to what Lucretius meant by his descriptions of warmth: I will need to listen again to DRN!