Talk:Doctrine 16/@comment-3071102-20100918052319

This is a statement about the relative "benevolence" of reality -- it does not easily defeat a person who understands that rational personal values are more significant that what the universe demands or commands. Here, Epicurus turns on its head the approach of most philosophers -- that the universe contains secrets of fundamental truth and profundity that must command our attention. Epicurus says no, that the "greatest and highest interests" of the individual, determined by reason, are not overborne by the dumb contingency of the universe. This should be read in conjunction with the Epicurean insight that the gods -- even if they exist -- are not interested in us. The same holds for the reality. Reality is often overpowering, but it is dumb and blind. Or, as the universe is not teleological, but man is purposeful, it is man that can "direct" reality, and does. The wise man is therefore rarely interfered with (or at least not suprised. Wes Costello