Epicurus: A Life in Pursuit of Happiness

Epicurus

Epicurus (341 – 270 BC) was a Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism, a school of thought that emphasizes happiness as the chief goal of life. He taught that happiness can be achieved through a life of virtue, friendship, and moderation.
Early life
Epicurus was born on the island of Samos in 341 BC. His father was a schoolmaster, and his mother was a housewife. Epicurus studied philosophy in Athens, and he was influenced by the teachings of Democritus and Plato.
Philosophy
Epicurus's philosophy is based on the following principles:

• Hedonism: The goal of life is to achieve happiness.
• Atomism: The universe is made up of atoms and void.
• Free will: Humans have free will.
• The gods do not interfere in human affairs: The gods exist, but they do not concern themselves with human affairs.

Epicureanism
Epicureanism is a school of thought that emphasizes happiness as the chief goal of life. Epicurus taught that happiness can be achieved through a life of virtue, friendship, and moderation.
The tetrapharmakos
The tetrapharmakos is a summary of Epicurus's philosophy. It consists of four sayings:

• Do not fear god.
• Do not worry about death.
• What is good is easy to get.
• What is terrible is easy to endure.

Legacy
Epicurus's philosophy had a profound influence on Western thought. His ideas were adopted by many Roman philosophers, including Lucretius and Cicero. Epicureanism also had a revival in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was popular among the French philosophes.
Quotes

• "The greatest wealth is to live content with little."
• "Death does not concern us, because while we exist death is not present, and when death is present we no longer exist."
• "It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confidence in their help."
• "The pleasure that follows from a just and temperate life is greater than the pleasure that comes from a life of injustice and intemperance."

What is Epicureanism?

Epicureanism is a school of thought that emphasizes happiness as the chief goal of life. It was founded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270 BC).
Epicurus
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Epicurus

Epicurus was born on the island of Samos in 341 BC. He studied philosophy in Athens and was influenced by the teachings of Democritus and Plato.
Epicurean philosophy
Epicurean philosophy is based on the following principles:

• Hedonism: The goal of life is to achieve happiness.
• Atomism: The universe is made up of atoms and void.
• Free will: Humans have free will.
• The gods do not interfere in human affairs: The gods exist, but they do not concern themselves with human affairs.

The tetrapharmakos
The tetrapharmakos is a summary of Epicurean philosophy. It consists of four sayings:

• Do not fear god.
• Do not worry about death.
• What is good is easy to get.
• What is terrible is easy to endure.

Happiness
Epicurus believed that happiness can be achieved through a life of virtue, friendship, and moderation.

• Virtue: Virtue is living a life in accordance with reason.
• Friendship: Friendship is one of the greatest sources of happiness.
• Moderation: Moderation is key to avoiding pain and suffering.

The afterlife
Epicurus believed that there is no afterlife. He argued that death is the end of existence and that there is nothing to fear.
Influence
Epicureanism had a profound influence on Western thought. Its ideas were adopted by many Roman philosophers, including Lucretius and Cicero. Epicureanism also had a revival in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was popular among the French philosophes.
Criticism
Epicureanism has been criticized for its emphasis on hedonism. Some critics argue that Epicureanism is a selfish philosophy that encourages people to live a life of pleasure without regard for others.
Conclusion
Epicureanism is a complex and sophisticated philosophy that has had a significant impact on Western thought. It offers a unique perspective on the nature of happiness and the good life.
Sources

• Epicureanism:
• The Life and Philosophy of Epicurus: https://www.iep.utm.edu/epicur/
• The Tetrapharmakos:

Philosophers influenced by Epicurus

Lucretius
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Lucretius
Lucretius was a Roman poet and philosopher who lived in the 1st century BC. He is best known for his poem De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things), which is an exposition of Epicurean philosophy.

Cicero
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Cicero
Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher who lived in the 1st century BC. He was a friend of Lucretius and was influenced by Epicurean philosophy.

Pierre Gassendi
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Pierre Gassendi
Pierre Gassendi was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries. He was a revivalist of Epicurean philosophy and his work helped to spread Epicurean ideas in the early modern period.

Thomas Hobbes
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Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries. He was influenced by Epicurean materialism and his work helped to shape the development of modern philosophy.

John Locke
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John Locke
John Locke was an English philosopher who lived in the 17th century. He was influenced by Epicurean ideas about the nature of knowledge and the limits of government.

David Hume
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David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher who lived in the 18th century. He was influenced by Epicurean skepticism and his work helped to shape the development of modern empiricism.

Jeremy Bentham
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Jeremy Bentham
Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher and jurist who lived in the 18th century. He was influenced by Epicurean hedonism and his work helped to shape the development of utilitarianism.

John Stuart Mill
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John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher and economist who lived in the 19th century. He was influenced by Epicurean utilitarianism and his work helped to shape the development of modern liberalism.

These are just a few of the many philosophers who have been influenced by Epicurus. His ideas have had a profound impact on Western thought and continue to be relevant today.

The Death of Epicurus

Epicurus (341 – 270 BC) was a Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism, a school of thought that emphasizes happiness as the chief goal of life. He taught that happiness can be achieved through a life of virtue, friendship, and moderation.
Death
Epicurus died in 270 BC at the age of 72. According to the Roman biographer Diogenes Laërtius, Epicurus died of a painful urinary tract infection. He had been suffering from the condition for some time, and he eventually died from a combination of the infection and kidney failure.
Epicurus's deathbed letter
In his deathbed letter to his friend Idomeneus, Epicurus wrote:

"I write this letter to you on the last day of my life. I am suffering from a painful and severe disease, but my mind is serene. I have lived a happy life, and I have no regrets. I have taught my friends how to live a good and happy life, and I am confident that they will continue to live in accordance with my teachings. I have no fear of death, for I know that it is the end of suffering. I am grateful for the life that I have lived, and I am ready to die."

Legacy
Epicurus's death had a profound impact on his followers. They were deeply saddened by his death, but they were also inspired by his example. They continued to live in accordance with his teachings, and they spread his philosophy to others.
Epicureanism
Epicureanism is a school of thought that emphasizes happiness as the chief goal of life. It was founded by the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270 BC).
The teachings of Epicurus
The teachings of Epicurus can be summarized as follows:

• Happiness is the chief goal of life.
• Happiness can be achieved through a life of virtue, friendship, and moderation.
• Virtue is living a life in accordance with reason.
• Friendship is one of the greatest sources of happiness.
• Moderation is key to avoiding pain and suffering.

The influence of Epicureanism
Epicureanism had a profound influence on Western thought. Its ideas were adopted by many Roman philosophers, including Lucretius and Cicero. Epicureanism also had a revival in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was popular among the French philosophes.
Conclusion
Epicurus was a great philosopher who had a profound impact on Western thought. His teachings on happiness, virtue, friendship, and moderation are still relevant today.