to a better person. It is my belief that Epicureanism is a sensible and beneficial philosophy. I believe mankind has problems succeeding sometimes due to fear. If the element of fear is taken out of ones life, what is there to hold him back? Also, I believe it is very important to know yourself. Epicurus believed that there was no true knowledge in knowing nothing. If man knows nothing, how can he understand life? The search for pleasure in Epicureanism is often belittled by many. It was viewed as selfish to some. The quote Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die is often associated with Epicureanism. In my opinion; if pleasure causes happiness and happiness is a good thing, then why not search for it? This idea was in extreme opposition to moral standards of religions of Greece. One may think that searching for pleasure is selfish, but I believe it to be vital in living a good life. The importance of fellowship and friendship in Epicureanism seems to be rightfully emphasized in my opinion. The search for pleasure is not selfish if others benefit from it. This was the purpose of fellowship. A life amongst friends outside the common world seems to be a good one. Escape from everyday life in order to pray seems to be an idea in most religions. Christianity uses prayer as a removal from the earth into a heavenly state of mind. This was in a sense the same idea behind prayer in Epicurean philosophy. In a time of great violence, Epicurus ideal lifestyle was that of a non violent, peaceful way of carrying oneself. He believed that peace of mind and moral perfection to be the constant goal in life. After starting his school in Athens, Epicurus would live there for the rest of his life. In his life he wrote three hundred books, but only his letters to Herodotus, Pythocles, and Menoeceus survived over time. In 271 B.C., Epicurus died of a supposed painful illness that lasted a short time. Epicurus successors carried on hi...
