Epicurus

enables us to refer all choice and avoidance to the health of the body and the soul's freedom from disturbance, since this is the aim of the life of blessedness." Epicurus believed in a simplistic way of life. He believed that happiness is not found in living a luxurious, extravagant life, instead it can be found in living a simpler life with fulfillment of basic needs, friends and family. As he said in the above quote “thanks to nature because she has made what is necessary easy to supply and what is not easy unnecessary…” meaning we do not need excessive things in our life to be happy…

If the ancient philosopher, Epicurus, gave the Sermon on the Mount, found in the New Testament, he would say: “Blessed are those who are untroubled and unperturbed, for they shall find serenity.” His enthusiastic follower, Lucretius, used his superb poetical gifts to draw his readers into the desire-reducing materialism of Epicureanism. He challenged others to live their lives by cultivating a balanced, peaceful way of being. Lucretius believed the attainment of this peace of mind was through a…

Jeffrey San 1301 Philosophy 10/14/15 9:05 Epicurus Epicurus was a philosopher born during the year of 347 B.C in the city of Athens, Greece. Epicurus believed that our lives as human beings on this earth is centered around the idea of happiness and that many of us continue to strive for it whether if its in material objects or experiences with others and that it’s something that’s actually worth doing. What they strive for as Epicureans is ultimate happiness which is called ataraxia. Not…

Epicurus was an Athenian philosopher who based his philosophy on perception, natural science, the liberation of the fear of gods and death, and the pleasure that comes from the absence of these anxieties. Epicurus was an Athenian citizen but grew up on the island of Samos with his parents, Neocles and Chairestrate. When Alexander the Great died, and the Athenians were expelled from Samos, he joined his father in Colophon on the Asiatic Coast, where he studied under Nausiphanes of Teos, where he…

In fact, Epicurus advises us that “the purest security is that which comes from a quiet life and withdrawal from the many” (PD 14). For the reason that we cannot serve political inter-est without giving up individual freedom(Hibler 37), we should live in anonymity, staying away from the crowd in competing for unnecessary pleasures such as power and reputation, since they would bring unnecessary troubles that disturb our tranquility. In contrast with Plato who train students to develop "the…

A Critique of Epicurus’s Argument about Death Kejia Jiang Word count: 1419 As the founder of Epicureanism, Greek philosopher Epicurus presented the view that it is irrational to fear or hate death and death is not a misfortune for one who dies. The main idea he used to defend his argument was that no one will feel painful while dead, therefore death is not a bad thing for people and there is no need to fear it. At the first glance, the argument may seem to be plausible. However,…

“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?” These are the sage remarks of the third century BCE Greek philosopher Epicurus who founded the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. He taught the purpose of life was to obtain tranquility and peace with the avoidance of pain and suffering. Epicurus rejected…

Few issues are as contentious and endless as how to achieve a life full of happiness. Many arguments can be discussed about which viewpoint could be classified as the underlying best, but, out of the various aspects, the Epicurean and Aristotelian concepts, in my opinion, make the most outstanding deliberation for Frederick’s situation. Are the ethics developed by Epicurus better suited for Frederick’s happy life, or do the moral principles surrounded by Aristotle promote a more enhanced…

An individual does not make a community, and a community does not make a society. In order to have a functioning and prosperous society, one must relinquish some free will in return for protection. According to John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, there are certain rights of the individual which the government may never possess. Centuries after the publication of Mill’s Essay, the court case Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegeta l , 546 U.S. 418 (2006) challenged the protective…

Stephen Taylor Humanities Epictetus. Enchiridion. Dover Publications, 2004 28 September 2014 The philosopher Epictetus was born ca. 50 A.D. in southwest Turkey. He was a weak and frail bodied slave that resided in Rome. Even as a slave he was allowed to attend philosophy lectures. Eventually he was set free for having opposing views to the Emperor. After expulsion from Rome in 90 A.D. he spent the rest of his days in Greece. This brief history of Epictetus is vital to understanding his works;…