Epicureanism

From Epicurus Wiki

Epicureanism refers to Epicurean Philosophy, the philosophy of Epicurus.

Epicurus developed his teachings during the Hellenistic era of Ancient Greece — a period of transition commencing at the time of Athens’ conquest by neighboring Macedonia (4th Century BCE). Juxtaposed within an environment of continuous political turmoil, Epicurus and his colleagues proclaimed that individuals may live in serene happiness, fortified by the continual experience of modest and easily obtainable pleasures. All that is needed to live a fully satisfying life, according to the Epicurean doctrine, are the sustenance of nutritious food, the comfort of a secure living environment, the comradery of good friends, and the assuring wisdom that the nature of the universe is benign.

Epicureanism conveys a surprisingly scientific vision of the natural world, building upon a previous century's groundwork laid by the presocratics. Epicurus' interest in the workings of nature, however, was not motivated by mere curiosity. He gleaned revelations in physics as a means of ideological fortification against the many disturbing notions of superstition.

Epicureanism would eventually become a philosophy of wide renown, having been spread to the far corners of the ancient Mediterranean world through the founding of organized schools — a tradition which began with Epicurus and continued well into the age of the Roman Empire.

It was not until the coming of the Dark Ages that the Epicurean movement came to a decisive conclusion. But the legacy of Epicurus would later reemerge in the wake of the Renaissance, as the scant remnants of ancient Epicurean writings were gradually rediscovered, reassembled, and reanalyzed. This reemergence would inspire a whole generation of Enlightenment thinkers, who in turn played crucial roles in retransmitting Epicurus' influence all the way down to modern times.

The process of rediscovering Epicureanism continues even into the 21st century. Multitudes of fragmented Epicurean writings recovered from the ruins of Oinoanda and especially Herculaneum remain to be parsed and translated. With the advent of the Epicurus Wiki, new opportunities exist to penetrate their secrets.