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__NOTOC__[[File:Px-Epikouros BM 1843.jpg|thumbnail|275px|left|Figure 1. Bust of Epicurus.]]Epicurus is often associated as with one of the Greek philosophers more interested in pleasure or its pursuit than other ideals. While at times this led to a negative view of his philosophy, the reality is his thinking was very advanced and developed, leading to his ideas becoming highly influential in modern thought in many regions of the world today. He was one of the first Greek philosophers to develop a strong tradition that avoid superstition as a core ideal. His simple philosophy of avoiding pain, leading a simple life, and attaining knowledge have made his philosophy both attractive and influential to many.

==Background==Relatively few works written by Epicurus (Figure 1) still survive, as most He was one of what we known derive from later writings from his followers and his philosophical school that he started. We know the first Greek philosophers to develop a strong tradition that Epicureanism began avoids superstition as a core ideal. His simple philosophy at around 307/306 BCE. Like so many other philosophers, he established himself at Athens, although he was from Samos. He was influenced by the teaching of Democritus and he studied under Nausiphanes of Teosavoiding pain, but had leading a later falling out as he pursued his own new school of thought. In factsimple life, Epicurus main problem with other philosophers was he felt they were too narrow in their beliefs and their schools did not allow freedom of expression or questioning of the main philosopher teachers. Epicurus' strong ego, in essence, led to rifts with other schools of thought, forcing him to create attaining knowledge has made his own school. This ultimately, however, did give him freedom philosophy both attractive and influential to develop his ideas which emerged over a number of yearsmany.

The core philosophy ====Background====[[File:Lucretius,_De_rerum_natura.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Poem by Lucretius entitled <i>De rerum natura</i> that explains Epicureanism]] Relatively few works were written by Epicurus (Figure 1) still survive, as most of what we know Epicurus to have believed in was that one should pursue simple pleasures in life. Friendship was also key to forming happiness. While knew derives from later writings from his falling out with other philosophers may seem a slight contradiction in his beliefs of seeking friendship followers and pleasure, he did try to live up to his ideals. This is demonstrated when he claimed to a friend in a letter, as he was dying, philosophical school that his state of mind was very happy despite the pain he felt from kidney stonesstarted. So, even if physically one cannot escape pain, mentally one can pursue happiness such We know that it becomes Epicureanism began as a state not bound by death or sickness. His ideas, therefore, differ greatly from modern understanding of hedonism, which is often associated with the pursuit of please philosophy at all costs. While many focus on his ideas of pleasure, it is also his scientific ideas that, along with those of Aristotle and other Greek philosophers, have greatly influenced our modern worldaround 307/306 BCE.

During the lifetime of EpicurusLike so many other philosophers, he established himself in Athens, although he had relatively few followers was from Samos.<ref>For more on Epicurus and they would meet at his house's garden. In fact, the garden becomes the name in which they associated their established school. However, evidence of his enduring philosophy in the centuries that followed are evidentsee: Hibler, as when the Apostle Paul went to Athens he encountered followers Richard W. 1984. Happiness through Tranquillity: The School of EpicureanismEpicurus. Lanham, demonstrating the success MD: University Press of the philosophy as it began to spreadAmerica. </ref> He was one influenced by Democritus's teaching, and he studied under Nausiphanes of the first philosophers to clearly state that good and bad actions do not derive from the gods, Teos but these derive from the presence or absence had a later falling out as he pursued his own new school of pain and sufferingthought.

[[FileIn fact, Epicurus's main problem with other philosophers was that they were too narrow in their beliefs. Their schools did not allow freedom of expression or questioning of the main philosopher teachers. Epicurus' strong ego, in essence, led to rifts with other schools of thought, forcing him to create his own school. However, this ultimately gave him the freedom to develop his ideas, which emerged over many years and likely evolved before coming to a mature state.<ref>For more on how Epicurus' philosophy evolved, see:Px-Epikouros BM 1843DeWitt, Norman Wentworth. 1954.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 1Epicurus and His Philosophy. Bust Minneapolis: University of EpicurusMinnesota Press, pg. 27.]]</ref>

Because During Epicurus' ideas have been misunderstoods lifetime, it is important to delineate the key ideas he developed had relatively few followers and what he intended by themmet at his house's garden. His core ideals can be described as atomistic materialismIn fact, the garden in his house becomes the name with which held that all things are made up of atoms and that voids separated these atoms. Because gods do not control pain or pleasure, and that they are likely unable or uninterested in causing pain or pleasure to people, one should pursue pleasure as a key goal in lifeassociated their school. However, evidence of his enduring philosophy in the danger centuries that Epicurus realized followed is that this simple pursuit can lead to indulgence that then leads back evident, as when the Apostle Paul went to pain. ThereforeAthens, moderation is key so that one does not become over zealous, or essentially addictedhe encountered followers of Epicureanism, to demonstrating the pursuit success of pleasure where they are unable the philosophy as it began to function and pursue a balanced lifedevelop. Minimizing pain <ref>For more on how Epicureanism developed during and suffering are critical to this. Thus it is not pursuit of lusts or desires so much but it is seeking knowledgeafter Epicurus, good friendshipssee: O’Keefe, and banishing ideas that bring difficulty and problems to our lifeTim. 2010. Epicureanism. Ancient Philosophies 7. He stated that one should never fear death, as death simply means the end Berkeley: University of what one can feel and not something that would be painfulCalifornia Press. Moderation was critical </ref> Nevertheless, because later thought began to all of his philosophical ideas confound Epicureanism with hedonism and other philosophies of pleasure-seeking, as he warned against pursuits many of love or other pleasures to Epicurus' ideas were frowned upon and became less acceptable. It was only in the point where one becomes so enchanted by them Renaissance that these pursuits could ultimately lead to painhis ideas once again blossomed.

====Epicureanism====Because Epicurus' ideas have been misunderstood, it is important to delineate the key ideas he developed and what he intended by them. His core ideas can be described as atomistic materialism, which held that all things are made up of atoms. That voids separated these atoms.<ref>For more on atomistic materialism, see: O’Connor, Daniel John. 1964. A Critical History of Western Philosophy. New York etc., London: The Epicureans did believe Free press etc. , Collier Macmillan, pg. 127. </ref>. Atoms themselves are made up of a few basic types, which can be combined to make all things present in the existence of the universe. Because godsdo not control pain or pleasure, but did not see them as central and that they are likely unable to living or being happyuninterested in causing pain or pleasure to people, which made them different from many other philosophersone should, therefore, pursue pleasure as a key goal in life.

While Epicurus’ ideas Interest in simple pleasures is key, as interest in science proved goals such as conquest or wealth could potentially lead to be influential ruin. Minimizing pain and suffering is critical to later generations and modern science, his philosophy on happiness underwent different understanding in various periodsmaximizing pleasure. While his teachings on happiness were often conflated with later understanding It is also not the pursuits of hedonismlusts or desires so much, but seeking knowledge, later thinkers began developing good friendships, and banishing ideas that bring difficulty and problems to our lives is how one attains pleasure. The tranquility of the mind is what Epicurus would see as the practicality of his philosophy on greatest pleasure . He stated that one should never fear death, as death means the end of what one can feel and not something that avoids pain and pursues simple pleasures and avoids indulgencewould be painful.

====Key Influences on Our World====The philosophy's impacts are many, and Epicurus has been a misunderstood philosopherheld various thoughts that have turned out to at least have at least some truth, despite his inability to observe them fully. For instance, yet his influence has been profound ideas that the universe is infinite are more realistic than philosophers who had a very narrow idea of where the universe and its extent can be considered one found.<ref>For more on Epicurus' ideas of the founders of modern philosophyuniverse, see DeWitt, Norman Wentworth. 1954. St. His ideas continue to influence our world Paul and then longevity of his thinking shows that it held influence through many major shifts in historyEpicurus. In many respects, Epicurus was ahead Minneapolis: University of his timeMinnesota Press, pg. 13.</ref> He also believed no truth should be accepted as he understood life composed given without some form of basic building blocks proof, an idea that simply can be reconfigured is now foundational to make different things. This, to some extent, is true, while his philosophy of avoiding harmful things and pursue simple pursuits that give pleasure, such as friendship, are sensible and many would likely agree with these ideasmodern science.