Initially, I went with "public spectacles" just on the basis of a survey of translations, using a different array than you (from what I had at hand, Inwood & Gerson were the only ones who went with "contemplation," while Bailey (citing Bignone), Arrighetti, DeWitt, Strodach, Mensch, and Long and Sedley all went with "spectacles").
Since you raise the question, I went back and looked at what evidence from Bignone Bailey was alluding to in his commentary and I think it is pretty definitive: Plutarch's Non Posse 1095C cites a specific Epicurean text (maybe Diogenes Laertius' source too) saying that "the sage is a lover of spectacles and yields to none in the enjoyment of theatrical recitals and shows" (Einarson/De Lacy translation). "Lover of spectacles" uses a related word to the Diogenes Laertius passage (φιλοθέωρον), but this is then elaborated with two different words, with "theatrical recitals and shows" being ἀκροάμασι καὶ θεάμασι Διονυσιακοῖς).
"He will like being in the country." I think it's wonderful that this characteristic is a single word in the original: φιλαγρήσειν "They will love the ἀγρός 'fields, land, country as opposed to the town.'" Great commentary.
Epicurus is my favourite philosopher, however (bet you saw that coming) there are two issues that I have with him. Firstly, his attitude towards conception (i.e. anti-abortion) and secondly, if subscribing to free will, his attitude to suicide.
As a Buddhist I can reconcile my ideas with much of what Epicurus says and believe there is much to commend both.
What do you take Epicurus' "attitude towards conception" to be? I would not say he has a clear position on abortion. And what do you object to in his views on suicide?
Oh, on θεωρίαις: I'm inclined to go with contemplation. I spelled out my investigation on that at my site for anyone interested: https://sites.google.com/view/epicureansage/enjoy-themselves-more-than-others-in-contemplation
Initially, I went with "public spectacles" just on the basis of a survey of translations, using a different array than you (from what I had at hand, Inwood & Gerson were the only ones who went with "contemplation," while Bailey (citing Bignone), Arrighetti, DeWitt, Strodach, Mensch, and Long and Sedley all went with "spectacles").
Since you raise the question, I went back and looked at what evidence from Bignone Bailey was alluding to in his commentary and I think it is pretty definitive: Plutarch's Non Posse 1095C cites a specific Epicurean text (maybe Diogenes Laertius' source too) saying that "the sage is a lover of spectacles and yields to none in the enjoyment of theatrical recitals and shows" (Einarson/De Lacy translation). "Lover of spectacles" uses a related word to the Diogenes Laertius passage (φιλοθέωρον), but this is then elaborated with two different words, with "theatrical recitals and shows" being ἀκροάμασι καὶ θεάμασι Διονυσιακοῖς).
I'll expand the article's footnote with that reference. You can check out the Plutarch passage here if you like: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0394%3Astephpage%3D1095c
I appreciate the nudge to look into this choice a little more!
"He will like being in the country." I think it's wonderful that this characteristic is a single word in the original: φιλαγρήσειν "They will love the ἀγρός 'fields, land, country as opposed to the town.'" Great commentary.
Epicurus is my favourite philosopher, however (bet you saw that coming) there are two issues that I have with him. Firstly, his attitude towards conception (i.e. anti-abortion) and secondly, if subscribing to free will, his attitude to suicide.
As a Buddhist I can reconcile my ideas with much of what Epicurus says and believe there is much to commend both.
Thought provoking however.
Cheers.
What do you take Epicurus' "attitude towards conception" to be? I would not say he has a clear position on abortion. And what do you object to in his views on suicide?