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Epicurus was a polydeist in his day as he believed the Gods were neither friends nor foes; he taught that sensations of pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and bad, and the absence of pain and fear leads to happiness (ataraxia). He recommended a state of satiation and tranquility surrounded by friends, as one of the main goal in life. Epicurus explicitly warned against the exceeding of [[Hedonism]].  

Epicurus was a polydeist in his day as he believed the Gods were neither friends nor foes; he taught that sensations of pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and bad, and the absence of pain and fear leads to happiness (ataraxia). He recommended a state of satiation and tranquility surrounded by friends, as one of the main goal in life. Epicurus explicitly warned against the exceeding of [[Hedonism]].  

One of his late followers [[Jeremy Bentham]], said that:

One of his followers roughly 2000 years later, [[Jeremy Bentham]], said that:

''"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain, and pleasure."''

:''"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain, and pleasure."''

Epicurus is also an important figure in the development of the [[scientific]] method. He insisted that nothing should be accepted except that which has been sufficiently tested through direct observation and logical deduction.

Epicurus is also an important figure in the development of the [[scientific]] method. He insisted that nothing should be accepted except that which has been sufficiently tested through direct observation and logical deduction.

He dismissed the notion of an omnipotent and benevolent God by stating:

He dismissed the notion of an omnipotent and benevolent [[God]] by stating:

''Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then He is not omnipotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Then why does evil exist? Is He neither able nor willing? Then why call Him God?''

''Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then He is not omnipotent. Is He able, but not willing? Then He is malevolent. Is He both able and willing? Then why does evil exist? Is He neither able nor willing? Then why call Him God?''