Talk:Doctrine 6/@comment-3069206-20100921012551

This is interestingly direct. 'any means whatever' - does that include having your own stockpile of nuclear weapons, electric fences, guns??

Or is that not what 'security' means in this case.

Surely the first sensible step to obtain security is to move somewhere as safe as possible. Then try to get on with people. Then, perhaps, not have too much wealth to avoid attracting thieves.

I'd be interested to know more from those expert in the Greek. What sense is 'security' being used in here?

Also, the idea of a 'natural good' seems an important one. In the context it seems fairly obvious, but does that mean that this behaviour is natural in people, and, consequently, good? Or is there more to it than that.

I must say that my reaction to this is that there must be some qualification, either to what is meant by 'security', or to the 'any means whatever'. Otherwise this suggests, taken simply on it own, of course (and the doctrines are clearly supposed to be taken in the context of all of them!) complete license.

If the 'other people' are the Police, and they wish to arrest and imprison you, then that, clearly, is a threat to your personal security - even if their action is entirely justified because of something wrong that you have done. Is it a natural good for you to flee the country or hold them off in a siege? I doubt very much that that is Epicurus intent here...