The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurus and the Art of Happiness

The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus believed that the key to happiness was pleasure, which could be found through mental pleasures and avoiding pain. This philosophy is explored in John Sellars' book "The Epicurean Life," where he shows how it can help us think about joy, friendship, nature, and being alive in the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2022
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

An Epicurean antidote to anxiety

Over two thousand years ago, the Greek philosopher Epicurus offered a seemingly simple answer: all we really want is pleasure.

Today, we tend to associate the word "Epicurean" with the enjoyment of fine food and wine and decadent self-indulgence. But, as philosopher John Sellars shows, these things are a world away from the vision of a pleasant life developed by Epicurus and his followers, who were more concerned with mental pleasures and avoiding pain. Their goal, in short, was a life of tranquillity.

In this uplifting and elegant book, Sellars walks us through the history of Epicureanism, from a private garden on the edge of ancient Athens to the streets of Rome, showing us how it can help us think anew about joy, friendship, nature, and being alive in the world.

Epicurus believed that the key to happiness was to live in harmony with nature and to focus on the things that brought us joy and pleasure. He emphasized the importance of friendship, good food, and wine, but he also stressed the importance of avoiding pain and suffering.

One of the most important principles of Epicureanism was the idea of ataraxia, which means "tranquility" or "serenity." Epicurus believed that the best way to achieve ataraxia was to focus on the present moment and to avoid worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. He also believed that the best way to avoid pain was to develop a sense of self-control and to avoid overindulging in pleasure.

Another important principle of Epicureanism was the idea of amor fati, which means "love of fate." Epicurus believed that we should accept the things that we cannot control and that we should focus on the things that we can control. He believed that we should not try to change the world, but rather that we should try to change ourselves.

Epicurus also believed that we should seek out knowledge and wisdom and that we should use our intelligence to improve our lives. He believed that we should not be afraid of death, but rather that we should embrace it as a natural part of life.

Epicureanism has had a significant impact on Western philosophy and culture. It has influenced the development of Stoicism, which is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of self-control and the pursuit of virtue. It has also influenced the development of modern philosophy, particularly in the field of ethics.

In conclusion, Epicureanism is a philosophy that emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. It is a philosophy that can help us to live a happy and fulfilling life by helping us to focus on the things that bring us joy and pleasure and to develop a sense of self-control and self-awareness.

Weight: 78g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141991658