Difference between revisions of "Epicurus"
(New article 2008) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Epicurus''' (341-270 B.C.) was an ancient [[Greek]] [[philosopher]]. He founded in the late fourth century B.C. the [[Epicureanism]] School. | + | [[Image:Epicurus.gif|left]] |
| + | '''Epicurus''' of Sámos (341-270 B.C.) was an ancient [[Greek]] [[philosopher]]. He founded in the late fourth century B.C. the [[Epicureanism]] School. | ||
He did not believe in any divine power; 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]]. | He did not believe in any divine power; 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]]. | ||
Revision as of 16:10, May 21, 2008
Epicurus of Sámos (341-270 B.C.) was an ancient Greek philosopher. He founded in the late fourth century B.C. the Epicureanism School.
He did not believe in any divine power; 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:
"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 believed except that which has been tested through direct observation and logical deduction.