Epicurus on the question of God

Discussion in 'Religion and Spirituality' started by Frederick Foresight, Apr 9, 2017.

  1. The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus asks:

    Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?

    Discuss.
     
  2. God created evil since it is a necessity for good to exist. Good would have no meaning without evil-- it is the counterbalance

    Im sure s/he is interested in hearing your suggestions for a better way of doing things.
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2017
  3. Alot of things in life revolve around two, or pairs -- Good/Evil, Sun/Moon, Male/Female, voting/politics, backup/VP, upforce/downforce, ...you could kind of use this thinking or philosophy or consideration in trading the market as well o_O ;) -- kind of a semi-Feng shui approach to finance and life,
     
  4. MrScalper

    MrScalper

    Yes, you are correct, but as with life, that which seems right is usually wrong..same with trading!

    There is a word for what you speak of.
     
  5. MrScalper

    MrScalper

    “Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search of it when he has grown old. For no age is too early or too late for the health of the soul. And to say that the season for studying philosophy has not yet come, or that it is past and gone, is like saying that the season for happiness is not yet or that it is now no more. Therefore, both old and young alike ought to seek wisdom, the former in order that, as age comes over him, he may be young in good things because of the grace of what has been, and the latter in order that, while he is young, he may at the same time be old, because he has no fear of the things which are to come. So we must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed towards attaining it.” —Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus
     
  6. MrScalper

    MrScalper

    "The fact that the weather (future price) is sometimes foretold from the behavior of certain animals (men) is a mere coincidence in time. For the animals (men) offer no necessary reason why a storm (volatility) should be produced and no divine being sits observing when these animals (men) go out and afterwards fulfilling the signs which they have given. For such folly as this would not possess the most ordinary being if ever so little enlightened, much less one who enjoys perfect felicity." —Epicurus, Letter to Pythocles
     
  7. Or, God is like Adam Smith's Invisible Hand in that neither exists except in the imagination of those so inclined to believe.
     
  8. God is omnipotent but your will is primal.
     
  9. Duality.
     
  10. For me, the evidence points toward a creator. The question is can man know the creator?
     
    #10     Apr 9, 2017