Discover the life and teachings of Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism. Explore his pursuit of happiness, moral philosophy, and lasting legacy.
Epicurus | Brief Biography
Epicurus was a Greek philosopher and writer who lived from 341 BCE to 270 BCE. He was born on the island of Samos but later moved to Athens to study philosophy. Epicurus was the founder of the school of philosophy known as Epicureanism, which was named after him.
Epicurus believed in the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain as the highest good in life. He saw pleasure as the absence of physical pain and mental distress and believed that living a simple and moderate life was the key to achieving this state. He also believed in the concept of ataraxia, which referred to a state of tranquility and freedom from fear and anxiety.
Epicurus’ philosophy was heavily influenced by the ideas of Democritus, who believed that the universe was made up of atoms and void and that everything that existed could be reduced to these elements. Epicurus expanded upon this idea by arguing that the soul was also made of atoms and that it dissolved into nothingness upon death.
Epicurus also believed in determinism, the idea that everything that happens is determined by natural causes and is beyond our control. He used this belief to argue against the fear of death, stating that death was nothing to us because we would not exist to experience it. He also rejected the idea of an afterlife, stating that there was no evidence for it and that the fear of punishment or reward in the afterlife was irrational.
Epicurus was well-known for his advocacy of pleasure and his rejection of traditional religious beliefs. This often put him at odds with other philosophers, such as Aristotle and Plato, who believed that the highest good in life was the pursuit of wisdom and virtue. Despite this, Epicurus’ ideas gained a following and his philosophy became popular among the general population.
His teachings were recorded in a number of works, including “Letters,” “Principal Doctrines,” and “Vatican Sayings.” These works were highly regarded by his followers, who saw him as a wise and enlightened teacher.
His legacy continues to this day, as his ideas about pleasure, death, and the nature of the universe have had a profound influence on Western philosophy and popular culture. He is widely considered one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece, and his teachings continue to be studied and debated by scholars and philosophers alike. 0 0 0.
Epicurus: Comprehensive Biography
Epicurus (341 BC – 270 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher and founder of Epicureanism, an ideology focused on achieving happiness through pursuing pleasure, avoiding pain, and living a virtuous life. His teachings emphasized the importance of friendliness, self-reliance, and intellectual inquiry as paths to peace (ataraxia) and freedom from fear (aponia).
Early Life
Epicurus was born on the island of Samos, a Greek settlement off the coast of Asia Minor. His parents, Neocles and Charestrate, were Athenian colonists. From an early age, Epicurus showed a keen interest in philosophy, reportedly beginning his studies at the age of 14. He was dissatisfied with the teachings of his time and began developing his own philosophical ideas.
Philosophical development
Epicurus formulated his unique synthesis of ethical and spiritual ideas after studying under various philosophers, including Nausiphanes, a follower of Democritus. He adopted and refined Democritus’s atomic physics, which held that everything in the universe was composed of atoms moving in a void. Epicurus added the concept of the “swerve,” a random deviation in atomic motion, to account for free will.
Epicurus rejected the gods’ intervention in human affairs, arguing instead that humans live in a state of perfect bliss, unconcerned with the mortal world. He believed that understanding the natural world through reason and observation could free people from irrational fears, especially fear of divine punishment and death.
The Garden of Epicurus
In 306 BC, Epicurus founded his school in Athens, known as “The Garden”. Unlike other philosophical schools of the time, The Garden was open to people from all walks of life, including women and slaves. Epicurus lived simply with his followers, preferring philosophical discussion, friendship, and simple pleasures over material wealth or political ambition.
Ethical teachings
The main idea of Epicurus’ philosophy was that pleasure is the highest good and the key to a happy life. However, he distinguished between different types of pleasure. He advocated simple, lasting pleasures — such as those gained from friendship, knowledge, and moderation — over fleeting, hedonistic pleasures that can cause pain or distress.
Epicurus also emphasized the importance of letting go of fear and anxiety, especially in regards to death. He famously argued that “death is nothing to us,” because when we exist, death does not exist, and when death exists, we no longer exist.
Legacy
Epicurus’ philosophy was influential in the Hellenistic world and later inspired Roman thinkers such as Lucretius, who celebrated his ideas in the poem *De Rerum Natura* (On the Nature of Things). However, the rise of Christianity led to a decline in Epicureanism’s popularity, as its materialistic worldview clashed with Christian principles.
Despite this, Epicurus’ legacy lives on, and his teachings on happiness, ethics, and the natural world continue to be studied and appreciated in modern philosophy.
Facts About Epicurus
- Born: 341 BC, on the Greek island of Samos.
- Died: 270 BC, Athens, Greece.
- Philosophical school: Founder of Epicureanism.
- Main ideas:
- Pursuit of pleasure as the highest good.
- Happiness through simple living, friendliness, and freedom from fear.
- Atomic theory with the concept of “swerve” to explain free will.
- Belief in gods: Accepted their existence but believed they were indifferent to human affairs.
- View on death: “Death is nothing to us,” because we do not experience it.
- Works: Wrote over 300 works, although most of them survive only as fragments or through later authors such as Lucretius and Diogenes Laertius.
- The Garden: Established a community in Athens that welcomed everyone regardless of gender or social status.
- Legacy: Influenced thinkers such as Lucretius and had a lasting effect on secular and materialistic thought.
- Lifestyle: Advocated a modest life focused on mental pleasures rather than material wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Epicurus
Question: What did Epicurus believe was the goal of life?
Answer: Epicurus taught that the goal of life is to achieve happiness through pleasure, defined as the absence of pain (physical) and freedom from fear (mental).
Question: What was Epicurus’ view of death?
Answer: He believed that death should not be feared because it is simply the end of sensation. When we are alive, death does not exist, and when death exists, we no longer exist.
Question: What is Epicureanism?
Answer: Epicureanism is a philosophy that emphasizes simple pleasures, friendliness, and understanding the natural world, which are keys to a happy and tranquil life.
Question: What was unique about Epicurus’ garden?
Answer: The garden was inclusive, allowing women, slaves, and people of all social classes to participate equally in philosophical discussions.
Question: Did Epicurus believe in the gods?
Answer: Yes, but he believed they were perfect and blissful beings who had no concern or involvement with human affairs.
Question: What is a “swerve” in Epicurean philosophy?
Answer: The “swerve” is a random deviation in the motion of atoms that Epicurus proposed to explain free will in an otherwise deterministic universe.
Question: How did Epicurus influence later thinkers?
Answer: His ideas greatly influenced Roman poets such as Lucretius and shaped the development of secular, materialist, and humanist thought.
N. B. This article originally belongs to the book, ‘Brief Biographies of Ancient Thinkers and Writers‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Biography by M. Menonimus:
- The World Writers-Brief Biographies
- Introduction to World Writers
- Introduction to World Personalities
- Love of Reputed Persons ..
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