Eikas cheers everyone! Last Sunday at our Eikas we discussed Three Lucretian Arguments Against Creationism. During our presentation, it occurred to Marcus that perhaps there could be a fourth argument, from the method of multiple interpretations, which allows for anthropological and other perspectives to help explain phenomena that mystify some people. Overall, we had an enjoyable virtual discussion. Please enjoy, comment, and share the essay.
The Seize the Moment Podcast published Krista K. Thomason – The Myth of Emotional Harmony: Rational and Irrational Emotions, which I thought was quite thought-provoking and reminded me of Philodemus.
Our Friend Marcus published a five-part essay series titled Five contemplations on the gods: A path to community and friendship, with the intention of helping students to place before our eyes the teachings on how to live like a god.
Part 1 – The Gods
Part 2 – Utopia
Part 3 – The Sage
Part 4 – The Friend
Part 5 – The Departed
The second contemplation reminded me of how Hephaistos constructed robots and machines to serve the gods, and makes me think that we already live like gods to some extent thanks to modern technology. In other mythologies, we see that Hindu gods have varahas (flying vehicles) and the Goddess Inanna appears to have a flying chariot by which she travels to Enki’s temple to gain the civilizing gifts. The point of these technologies (and even simple things we take for granted, like toilets, aqueducts, and air conditioning systems) is that they make our lives easier and more pleasant, usually with little effort on our part. We do not realize how valuable these civilizing gifts are until we find ourselves without them.
I would like to thank Marcus for posting these essays. I’m currently reading a book that was recommended by him on this subject, titled Comment peut-on être dieu (How one can be a god). It’s in French and a slow read for me, since that’s my fourth language, but I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It has many thought-provoking ideas, and I will soon be writing a book review on it.
