Epicurean Philosophy and its Effects on the World Essay

Epicurean Philosophy and its Effects on the World During Hellenistic times, Ancient Greece was a baffled region. This was a time of great warfare, militarism, and violence. This was also a time when human kind was searching for a guide to life; a way to live. Philosophies and religions were being tossed around and there was such a variety that it seemed difficult to choose a path. The founder of Epicureanism, Epicurus, had great contributions to peoples’ finding of a way to live. Epicurus was born in 341 B.C. on the island of Samos. His parents, Neocles and Chaerestrate were among the Athenians who moved to settle in Samos. Epicurus’ father was a schoolmaster, which gave the child his earliest education. It is told that at an†¦show more content†¦Epicureanism is a philosophy that teaches happiness, removal, reason, inner-life concentration, piety, and prudence. He and his followers of his private Athenian school desired removal from the outside world. Simply sitting and analyzing inner life was a par t of Epicureanism. Epicurus believed that contemplative life could be achieved in this world, and not in some heavenly city. He taught a definite set of morals. In Epicurean philosophy the supreme sin is inhumanity. Epicurus taught that humans should pursue pleasure. Removal from everyday common life and the burdens of it was a vital part of Epicureanism. According to the teachings, humans should have all disturbances absent as well as the â€Å"everyday turbulence, passions, and desires of ordinary human existence.† ( Penichas p. 87). Fear was not acceptable. Epicurus taught not to fear death, but to embrace it as a part of life. He did not believe in a search for afterlife. Epicurus also believed that humans in general are in constant fear of misery or pain. He taught not to fear anything that isn’t necessary to living. The teachings also state that the idea of fearing gods is unacceptable. However, Epicurus did not defy the gods. He taught them as being divine, incorruptible creatures that were more of a set of morals for humans to lead their lives by. His attitude was that man shouldShow MoreRelatedEssay about Existentialists in the Television Show Spongebob Squarepants852 Words   |  4 PagesChildren across the world enjoy the television show Spongebob for its loveable characters and humor. The most prominent of these characters is Spongebob Squarepants, a personified sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, in a town called Bikini Bottom. He spends the majority of hi s time working as a chef at the Krusty Krab, a fast food restaurant run by a greedy crab named Mr. Krabs. Spongebob’s neighbor and co-worker, Squidward Tentacles, has a very cynical view of life, constantly complainingRead More Ethics Of The Hellenistic World Essay1265 Words   |  6 Pages In comparing the ethical theories of the Epicureans, Aristotle, and the Stoics it’s found that they possess three separate ideas. 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