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Epicurus, born in 341 BC, was a man ahead of his time. His thoughts on happiness, friendship, and the nature of reality continue to resonate today. Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who founded a highly influential school of philosophy now known as Epicureanism. He was born in February 341 BC on the island of Samos, Greece, to Athenian parents. His family had migrated there due to his father’s role as a military settler. This background provided Epicurus with a unique blend of cultural experiences.
As a child, Epicurus showed an early interest in philosophy. At the age of 18, he moved to Athens to train in the military for two years, a prerequisite for Athenian citizenship. It was during this period that he began his earnest study of philosophy, which continued throughout his life. Athens was a rich and vibrant intellectual hub for any young man interested in philosophy because unlike many of the other city states of Hellenistic Greece, freedom of speech was allowed there and that in turn created a nurturing environment for philosophers who could exchange ideas and debate contentious issues without fear of arrest, punishment, and imprisonment. During this period in the young Epicurus’s life, it is likely that he would have encountered the work of Xenocrates, second in succession after Plato as head of his Academy, and Aristotle, who was then resident in Athens. After his military service, Epicurus spent several years traveling and studying under various philosophers. He was notably influenced by the atomist theories of Democritus and the philosophy of Plato, though he would later diverge significantly from Platonic teachings.
Around 311 BC, Epicurus began teaching in Mytilene but was met with opposition. He then moved to Lampsacus where he continued to teach and gather followers. In 306 BC, Epicurus returned to Athens, where he established his own school, known as “The Garden,” named after the garden he owned and where he taught. “The Garden” was unique in the ancient Greek world for several reasons. It was one of the first philosophical schools to admit women as full members. Epicurus himself lived a modest life within his school, emphasizing the importance of friendship and community. Epicurus’s philosophy centred around the pursuit of happiness, which he believed could be achieved through the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. However, he advocated for a wise and moderate pursuit of pleasure, emphasizing mental pleasures over physical ones and advocating for the simple life. Epicurus was a prolific writer, but unfortunately, only a few of his works have survived. His most famous works include “Letter to Herodotus,” “Letter to Menoeceus,” and “Principal Doctrines.” Through these writings, he conveyed his thoughts on everything from ethics and physics to the nature of gods and the purpose of life. Epicurus died in 270 BC. He had been suffering from kidney stones, a condition that eventually led to his death. Despite his illness, reports suggest he maintained a cheerful disposition, consistent with his teachings on facing adversity without fear. His philosophy continued to flourish after his death, influencing countless thinkers across centuries and contributing significantly to the development of modern thought, particularly in the realms of ethics, happiness, and our understanding of nature. In his garden in Athens, Epicurus taught a philosophy centred on achieving tranquillity and freedom from fear. Epicurus had profound insights on death and the meaning of existence. His philosophy offered a unique perspective, particularly in the context of ancient Greek thought, which often heavily focused on the afterlife and the role of the gods. Here are some of his notable quotes on these topics:
“Death is nothing to us, since when we are, death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.”
This quote reflects Epicurus’ view that death should not be feared. He argued that death is merely the absence of sensation and, therefore, cannot be bad for us. When we are alive, we are not experiencing death, and when we are dead, we no longer exist to experience anything, including fear.
“It is not the young man who should be considered fortunate but the old man who has lived well, for the young man in his prime wanders much by chance, vacillating in his beliefs, while the old man has docked in the harbour, having safeguarded his true happiness.”
Explanation: Here, Epicurus suggests that a well-lived life, not a long life, is what should be valued. He implies that with age and wisdom, one can come to understand and accept the nature of death, leading to a life free from the irrational fear of it.
“In his ‘Letter to Menoeceus’, Epicurus famously said, ‘When we say, then, that pleasure is the end and aim, we do not mean the pleasures of the prodigal or the pleasures of sensuality, as we are understood to do by some through ignorance, prejudice, or wilful misrepresentation.’”
This quote is significant as it clarifies a common misconception about Epicureanism. Epicurus differentiated between temporary, physical pleasures and the more lasting pleasure found in a state of inner peace and contentment. He argued against the pursuit of extravagant, indulgent or sensual pleasures (often associated with hedonism) because they can lead to pain and distress. Instead, Epicurus advocated for simpler pleasures, like friendship, intellectual pursuits, and self-sufficiency, which he believed led to greater long-term happiness and tranquillity.
“The flesh receives as unlimited the limits of pleasure; and to provide it requires unlimited time. But the mind, grasping what the end and limit of the flesh is, and banishing the terrors of the future, procures a complete and perfect life, and we have no need of unlimited time. Nevertheless, it does not shun pleasure, and when the time comes, it passes out of life in contentment.”
He believed that understanding the limits of human pleasure and desires, and focusing on mental well-being over physical indulgence, leads to a fulfilling and content life. He emphasizes that a life without fear, particularly of death, and a focus on the present, is key to happiness.
He wrote, ‘If you wish to make Pythocles wealthy, do not add to his money but subtract from his desire.’
“Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search thereof when he is grown old. For no age is too early or too late for the health of the soul.”
Epicurus highlights the importance of seeking wisdom throughout one’s life as a path to a fulfilling existence. He stresses that the pursuit of philosophical understanding, which leads to peace of mind and happiness, is essential at all stages of life.
Epicurus also contributed to our understanding of the cosmos. He was among the first to propose the idea of the ‘atom,’ an indivisible unit of matter.
In his ‘Principal Doctrines,’ he stated, ‘The universe is infinite. It is not governed by a divine entity; it operates according to the laws of nature.’
Epicurus’s ideas not only shaped ancient philosophy but also find echoes in modern thought, from ethics to science.
His genius lay in his ability to challenge the status quo, encouraging us to seek happiness through simplicity, friendship, and a deeper understanding of the natural world. It is known that Epicurus was a prolific writer and much of his work has been lost to antiquity, thankfully, however, Diogenes Laertius preserved three of his letters dealing with a diverse range of topics from physics, meteorology to ethics and theology. His principal doctrines consist of 40 short aphoristic statements. Other fragments survive such as “On Nature,” originally in 37 books, as well as some correspondence with his friends. Epicurus cast a long shadow through history and can easily be thought of as one of philosophy’s first materialists, a great influence to many of the most famous minds in history such as the poet-philosopher Lucretius and even the statesman Cicero. The atomistic theory was revived in the 17th century by Pierre Gassendi, a French philosopher-scientist. Epicurus is at once an ancient and modern philosopher, influencing all.
