Lucretius outlined in “De Rerum Natura” the nature of the Universe, as prescribed to by Thomas Jefferson with the phrase, “the pursuit of happiness” found in the Declaration of Independence. Our unhappiness comes from our misunderstanding of the natural world and from the religious dogma that misleads us. The following tenets of Epicureanism are paraphrased from “The Swerve” by Stephen Greenblatt (link to the book at the end). I’m amazed by their prescience:

The physical world is made up of invisible particles with only void between them (ie. atoms and sub-atomic particles, photons that travel through time and space).

These invisible particles are eternal and recombine to form our reality – everything they make up has a beginning and an end.

The Universe did not come from Intelligent Design or Providence. The Universe does not have a purpose; it just “is”.

Everything comes into existence from tiny, random variations of the paths of these particles (swerve).

These tiny, random variations are the source of Free Will.

Life is constantly evolving as never-ending experimentation.

Humanity is an accident of the Universe. There is no reason for our existence.

Humanity is not unique. We are made from the same material and processes as everything else.

Human society arose from the struggle for survival. There was no “Garden of Eden”.

The soul is as mortal as the body it occupies. As the body dies, so does the soul.

There is no afterlife. There is no final judgement, there is no eternal reward or punishment, there is no Heaven or Hell.

Nothing matters after death of the body and soul. Our borrowed particles simply return to the Universe.

Organized Religion is a delusion, a human projection of our fears and desires. The supernatural is a human construct.

Religion is cruel; it offers hope and goodness but threatens pain and suffering.

There are no supernatural creatures like angels, demons and ghosts. Don’t worry about their existence, for they do not exist.

Our greatest goal in life is to lead comfortable lives: enhance pleasure, reduce pain… in moderation, of course. Excess is pointless.

Delusion prevents us from experiencing happiness; don’t fantasize about the infinite.

Find wonder in the Sciences, the study of the Universe and the physical world around us.

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