Consolations of philosophy: Marcus Aurelius, Epicurus, Donne

Nick Merange and Usha Sista will lead the discussion on what might be the consolations of philosophy. This avenue of thinking is particularly poignant and relevant in present times. Usha will share a general overview and some points to ponder. Nick will share some key takeaways from Marcus Aurelius and from the reading ‘Letter to Menoecues’ by Epicurus and also talk about the famous John Donne poem ‘No man is an island’.

The overview and the takeaways are only meant as starting points to what we know will be a fruitful conversation on the consolations of philosophy.

Marcus Aurelius - Meditations (Selected quotations)

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” From

"Things cannot touch the mind: they are external and inert; anxieties can only come from your internal judgement"

"Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it was our last, without frenzy, apathy or pretence "

Letter to Menoecues:
https://users.manchester.edu/Facstaff/SSNaragon/Online/texts/316/Epicurus,%20LetterMenoeceus.pdf

No man is an island:
https://web.cs.dal.ca/~johnston/poetry/island.html