Zoom of 29-03-22

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Sunday April 05, 2026 - Zoom Discussion 12:30 PM EST - Lucretius Book Review - Lucretius Book 1 - 305

1. Welcome and news / requests for new topics. We’ll continue to deal with individual topics as they occur. Just message me and we will set up an agenda each week that allows for new topics.
2. Every session let’s try to cover questions like:
   1. What is the context of this section?
   2. Why included at this point in the presentation?
   3. What are the major points Lucretius is making?
   4. What are the implications of these points?
3. Notes on New Topics / Announcements:

. This week we will continue with Lucretius Book 1:305. with atoms are invisible.

• Principle of working from the seen to the unseen as the basis of forming
• On Signs — what is the standard of proof or terminology of proof that is used - Sedley’s “On Signs”
• The issue of multiple explanations.
• What would the alternative be if you did NOT use the senses as the basis of predictions?
  • Predictive? Explanatory power?
  • Placebo effect
• We’ll need to compare what is said in Philodemus’ “On Signs.” Does Philodemus reach the conclusion that only probability is possible?
• Discussion of “dark energy” (Raphael and Martin)
• Book “After” recommended by Patrikios.
• Inference issues. Do we accept materialist view of the universe- does that answer the question. What is alternative to materialism? Dreamless sleep? Martin - assumption.
• When if every does “confidence” turn into “knowledge”
• What position did Epicurus take as to life after death and supernatural gods - are those issues of “confidence” or “knowledge”
• If you have not “been there and done that” can you say that you “know” something.
• Can we say no more than 99.9% probability.
• How do you know that you are not immortal? Kalosyni
• Robert — We have 100% confidence that religious mythology is wrong.
• “Never say never” and “Anything is possible”?