Latest news with #Epicurus
Spectator
3 days ago
- General
- Spectator
Spinoza, Epicurus and the question of ‘epikoros'
With surprise, I heard from a Jewish friend that a Hebrew term for a heretic is epikoros, apparently derived from the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270 bc). The word cropped up recently in a row over a film on the life of Baruch Spinoza, showing that he is not forgiven more than 360 years after his expulsion from the Sephardic community in Amsterdam. An American professor of philosophy, Yitzhak Melamed, asked the Portuguese Jewish synagogue there for permission to film some footage. The rabbi pointed out that Spinoza had been excommunicated 'with the severest possible ban, a ban that remains in force for all time'. So, no he could not visit the synagogue. The rabbi's letter called Spinoza an epikouris, a form of the word used of him in the 17th century. The reason for Spinoza's excommunication (herem in Hebrew) is unknown. Spinoza did write difficult stuff later about all things being God, but not when he was cast out in 1656, aged 23. Anyway, 12th-century Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides discussed the nature of an epikoros as someone who denies God's providence. That is what Spinoza was to deny, as far as I can understand him, and what Epicurus had denied. To add a complication. Maimonides said in an early work that epikoros came from Aramaic, and others have since derived it from the p-q-r Semitic root, signifying 'licentiousness'. By the time he wrote Guide for the Perplexed, Maimonides had learnt about Epicurus's philosophy. Do, then, epikoros and a modern form, apikoros, come from the Greek philosopher, or was his fame projected on to an extant Semitic word? Professor Melamed eventually received a letter from the Ma'amad (churchwardens) of the synagogue saying the rabbi had exceeded his authority and he was welcome to visit.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Steak prices to soar as restaurants battle cattle shortage
Steak prices are soaring across Britain as a cattle shortage pushes the cost of beef to record highs. Restaurant owners and butchers have warned of significant price increases because of a supply crisis amid growing demand for red meat. Amir Batito, co-founder of Epicurus and The Black Cow restaurants in London, said he is preparing to raise steak prices by as much as 40pc and is charging an extra £2 for a beef burger, up from £13. He said: 'The price of the steaks increased, the price of labour increased – everything has increased.' It comes after the average deadweight price of a cow – the price paid once it has been slaughtered – has risen by 15pc since the start of the year to hit record highs, according to the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). This has been fuelled by cattle shortages across Europe and the UK, as farmers struggle with higher costs. Will Beckett, co-founder of the Hawksmoor Steakhouse group, said: 'We're making less beef in this country than ever but demand is higher than ever. Guess what those two things do to pricing? You don't need a PhD in economics to know the answer.' He said Hawksmoor, which runs 10 restaurants in the UK, had 'gently' increased its prices by around 4pc. Prices are rising in the supermarkets too. Almost half of fresh beef products sold in the UK's biggest supermarkets have increased in price since the start of 2025, according to trade magazine The Grocer. Jeremy Godfrey, the managing director of 120-year-old butcher Godfrey's, said he is now paying up to 30pc for some cuts of beef. He said: 'We can't absorb that. We have to pass that on.' Max Ward, head butcher at meat specialists Hill & Szrok, in London, added: 'We're constantly fighting a battle. We're trying to see how long we can hold our ground before we are forced to change the prices again.' The supply crunch has been blamed on economic uncertainty and changes to farming subsidies, with UK beef production expected to fall by 5pc in 2025, according to the AHDB, compared to a 1pc increase in demand. Concerns have also been raised over the Government's inheritance tax raid. David Barton, a Cotswolds-based beef farmer and chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) livestock board, said farmers were considering cutting back on investment as a result of the policy change. He said: 'It's having a massive effect on absolutely everything we do. Beef is a long-term investment, and looking ahead now, it absolutely kills confidence. 'I'm just about to purchase a new bull from my herd. I won't see anything from that bull to sell for three years. In the current economic climate, as everyone's dealing with at the moment, three years is an awfully long time.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
10-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Steak prices to soar as restaurants battle cattle shortage
Steak prices are soaring across Britain as a cattle shortage pushes the cost of beef to record highs. Restaurant owners and butchers have warned of significant price increases because of a supply crisis amid growing demand for red meat. Amir Batito, co-founder of Epicurus and The Black Cow restaurants in London, said he is preparing to raise steak prices by as much as 40pc and is charging an extra £2 for a beef burger, up from £13. He said: 'The price of the steaks increased, the price of labour increased – everything has increased.' It comes after the average deadweight price of a cow – the price paid once it has been slaughtered – has risen by 15pc since the start of the year to hit record highs, according to the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). This has been fuelled by cattle shortages across Europe and the UK, as farmers struggle with higher costs. Will Beckett, co-founder of the Hawksmoor Steakhouse group, said: 'We're making less beef in this country than ever but demand is higher than ever. Guess what those two things do to pricing? You don't need a PhD in economics to know the answer.' He said Hawksmoor, which runs 10 restaurants in the UK, had 'gently' increased its prices by around 4pc. Prices are rising in the supermarkets too. Almost half of fresh beef products sold in the UK's biggest supermarkets have increased in price since the start of 2025, according to trade magazine The Grocer. Jeremy Godfrey, the managing director of 120-year-old butcher Godfrey's, said he is now paying up to 30pc for some cuts of beef. He said: 'We can't absorb that. We have to pass that on.' Max Ward, head butcher at meat specialists Hill & Szrok, in London, added: 'We're constantly fighting a battle. We're trying to see how long we can hold our ground before we are forced to change the prices again.' The supply crunch has been blamed on economic uncertainty and changes to farming subsidies, with UK beef production expected to fall by 5pc in 2025, according to the AHDB, compared to a 1pc increase in demand. Concerns have also been raised over the Government's inheritance tax raid. David Barton, a Cotswolds-based beef farmer and chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) livestock board, said farmers were considering cutting back on investment as a result of the policy change. He said: 'It's having a massive effect on absolutely everything we do. Beef is a long-term investment, and looking ahead now, it absolutely kills confidence. 'I'm just about to purchase a new bull from my herd. I won't see anything from that bull to sell for three years. In the current economic climate, as everyone's dealing with at the moment, three years is an awfully long time.'
