One of the philosophers that we discussed this week was Epictetus ,he basically believed that the world is governed by reason, and the only way to be happy is to be in accord with the laws of reason and in agreement with nature. To an extend I do believe this theory as it makes sense, yet it does in a way questions its own meaning. If we let nature and logic rule our life's, and don't let emotion in, do we have a purpose in life then? Having emotions is what makes us..us without them it'll be like if where mindless creatures. It has been said that it is in human nature to cause war and suffering, which in a way contradicts the theory of letting nature run its course. As a member of the Plato group today I had the question of would it be just to let a civilization or group of people to self lead themselves into destruction and suffering. If Lucretius and Epicurus philosophy is to maximize pleasure while still follow nature without any kind of interventions, then wouldn't it be wrong not to help them?
In the way that we are not forcing them to stay in a social structure, but that they actually accept a role that is more achievable. If truly we let nature take its course than would we technically have freedom from nature itself, or could we achieve ataraxia and aponia ?
I see your point about "if we let logic rule our lives, then do we have a purpose?" But he does say that's it's okay to have and show your emotions, just to keep them in accordance with nature.
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