Philosophy of Epicurus

Back when I was reading about some of the Stoics I decided to read about the Epicurus' rival philosophy. I duly ordered the Penguin Classic 'Art of Happiness' from Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Happiness-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143107216/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=epicurus&qid=1616513927&sr=8-2 - but never got round to reading it.Subsequently, the book disappeared and I thought no more about it or Epicureanism until recently. The 'recently' was Covid and the lock-downs. I wasn't entirely ignorant of Epicurean philosophy but I wrote it off as being about avoiding harm by living like a mouse rather than engaging with the world. Having spent the last year mainly at home and also enduring 10 medical procedures it seemed ironic to me that I was, in fact, living rather in the manner of an epicure.So I bought another book on Epicureanism, this time published by Dover Thrift editions. It's a bit cheaper than the Penguin and both editions share the same translator - George Strodach - and include his lengthy and enlightening introduction (which some say is dated but I am old enough to understand the examples and it very clearly explains the philosophy) as well as Epicurus only remaining written work (three letters) the biography of Epicurus by Diogenes Laertes, and additional information from the Vatican library. Strodach also cross references and quotes the Roman poet Lucretius, who wrote an epic poem 'On the Nature of Things' espousing Epicureanism.So why read Epicurus? The philosophy got a good kicking during the Middle Ages and the word epicure was associated with gluttony, one of the sins which could get you into Hell. In reality Epicureanism was not liked by the Church fathers because it believed the universe was constructed of atoms and that the Gods (or God) played little part in it, or the affairs of men and women. The soul was also considered to be made of atoms and died with the body, robbing believers of fear of the afterlife and judgement day. These are the very ideas which nowadays might strike a chord with a modern reader.Epicurus was not the 'eat drink and be merry' character he has been portrayed as. He sought to live quietly, simply and contemplatively in the garden with his friends (friendship he valued most of all). For more about this and as noted in reviews, more on atom theory (which I liked) you'll have to read the book.Those looking for ethics and public service might consider the stoics, who were strong advocates of duty - and were welcomed with open arms by christian scholars. You can get Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius and Cicero from Amazon, if that is your bag. Very interesting they are too.

As a I identify with the philosophy of Epicurus very closely and wish to learn as much as I can about it this book caught my eye.

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