tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post6916830646597191371..comments2024-03-28T07:57:49.338+00:00Comments on Poul Anderson Appreciation: Three SF WritersKetlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08588156788583883454noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-56785560285606222082016-05-19T08:24:39.894+01:002016-05-19T08:24:39.894+01:00Kaor, Paul!
I agree, Epicureanism as here defined...Kaor, Paul!<br /><br />I agree, Epicureanism as here defined does not have to be a bad philosophy. Ultimately inadequate, but not bad.<br /><br />SeanSean M. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973738112230622557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-16995647122191368792016-05-18T20:12:47.628+01:002016-05-18T20:12:47.628+01:00Sean,
Yes. Refined hedonism. If pleasures are ment...Sean,<br />Yes. Refined hedonism. If pleasures are mental as well as physical and shared as well as individual, then it is not a bad philosophy.<br />Paul.Paul Shackleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180596532266581425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-72282385573504071902016-05-18T15:54:32.396+01:002016-05-18T15:54:32.396+01:00Kaor, Paul!
Then I probably did not pay much atte...Kaor, Paul!<br /><br />Then I probably did not pay much attention to Blish's Introduction to A CASE OF CONSCIENCE the first time I read the book. Not all will read forewords, introductions or prefaces.<br /><br />Off the top of my head isn't Epicureanism the philosophy which argues that all we can hope is to enjoy this world as best we can TEMPERATELY? Not in a gross wallowing in self indulgence.<br /><br />And Blish's comment about God reminds me of the 18th century Deist conception of the Creator as One who created the universe and then showed indifference to it. Needless to say, Judaism/Christianity rejects such a view, saying God CARES about His creation.<br /><br />SeanSean M. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973738112230622557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-13173502682975121872016-05-18T10:11:27.984+01:002016-05-18T10:11:27.984+01:00Sean,
Blish said he was agnostic in his Introducti...Sean,<br />Blish said he was agnostic in his Introduction to ACOC. He also described himself as "Epicurean," meaning he thought that there might have been a Creator but one who was not necessarily around any more and certainly did not want worship.<br />Paul.Paul Shackleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04180596532266581425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538502828554372917.post-87743249057865267092016-05-18T08:56:28.741+01:002016-05-18T08:56:28.741+01:00Kaor, Paul!
I was surprised to find out James Bli...Kaor, Paul!<br /><br />I was surprised to find out James Blish was either agnostic or an atheist. That was not the impression I got from reading A CASE OF CONSCIENCE.<br /><br />Yes, Poul Anderson called himself an agnostic in of his letters to me. But, I'm not at all sure how STRONGLY agnostic in his later years. Certain passages in his later works and poems like "Prayer in War" makes me think Anderson at least wished he believed in God.<br /><br />SeanSean M. Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973738112230622557noreply@blogger.com