A Dialogue Between Vedanta and Epicureanism, with Prof. Tim O'Keefe.
Uncovering Commonalities Between Two Ancient Philosophies.
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It was great to discuss via podcast with Dr. Jayashankar Krishnamurthy, Director of the Vedanta Institute in Hyderabad, India, and Prof. Tim O'Keefe, an expert in Hellenistic philosophies and Epicureanism, at Georgia State University in the USA. We reflected on the analogies and differences between Vedanta philosophy and Epicureanism. It's interesting to note the similarities in terms of the emphasis on the role of intellect in transcending desires and worldly attachments. The role of friendship is fundamental in Epicureanism, as it is in Vedanta through the concept of Sajjanasaṅgati, or union with the virtuous.
Prof. O'Keefe explained the basic principles of Epicureanism, dispelling certain contemporary misconceptions that identify it as a form of hedonism propagated by isolated individuals, thus detached from society. Pleasure is essentially identified as the absence of pain, and inner peace (ataraxia) derived from worldly attachments, rather than a pursuit of material satisfaction. On the other hand, Dr Krishnamurthy introduced Vedanta as a philosophy that lives and permeates society, which empowers the individual and does not view them solely as a yogi meditating in the caves of the Himalayas, as the stereotypes about India often depict.
Are you interested in Epicureanism? Click here to book The Posillipo Enigma. Virgil's investigation of a mysterious murder.