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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 the first Greek philosophers to develop a strong tradition that he started. We know that Epicureanism began avoids superstition as a core ideal. His simple philosophy at around 307/306 BCE. Like so many other philosophersof avoiding pain, he established himself at Athensleading a simple life, although he was from Samos. He was influenced by the teaching of Democritus and he studied under Nausiphanes of Teos, but had a later falling out as he pursued attaining knowledge has made his own new school of thought. In fact, Epicurus many problem with other philosophers was he felt they were too narrow in their beliefs philosophy both attractive and their schools did not allow freedom of expression or questioning of the main philosopher teachers. Epicurus' strong ego, in essence, led influential to rifts with other schools of thoughtmany.

The core philosophy we know Epicurus to have believed in was that one should pursue simple pleasure in life. Friendship was also key to forming happiness. While his falling out with other philosophers may seem a slight contradiction in his beliefs of seeking friendship and pleasure====Background====[[File:Lucretius, he did try to live up to his ideals_De_rerum_natura. This is demonstrated when he claimed to a friend in a letterjpg|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 he was dying, that his state most of mind was very happy despite the pain he felt what we knew derives from kidney stones. His ideas, therefore, differ greatly later writings from modern understanding of hedonism, which is often associated with the pursuit of please 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 world. During the lifetime of Epicurus he had relatively few followers and they would meet at his house. However, evidence of his enduring philosophy in the centuries to come are evident, as when the Apostle Paul went to Athens philosophical school that he encountered followers of Epicureanismstarted. He was one of the first philosophers to clearly state We know that good and bad actions do not derive from the gods, but these derive from the presence or absence of pain and suffering. He stated that one should never fear death, Epicureanism began as death simply means the end of what one can feel and not something that would be painful. Moderation was critical to all of his philosophical ideas of pleasure, as he warned against pursuits of love or other pleasures to the point where one becomes so enchanted by them that these pursuits could ultimately lead to paina philosophy at around 307/306 BCE.

[[FileLike so many other philosophers, he established himself in Athens, although he was from Samos.<ref>For more on Epicurus and his established school, see:Px-Epikouros BM 1843Hibler, Richard W.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 11984. Bust Happiness through Tranquillity: The School of Epicurus.]]Lanham, MD: University Press of America.</ref> He was influenced by Democritus's teaching, and he studied under Nausiphanes of Teos but had a later falling out as he pursued his own new school of thought.

Because Epicurus' ideas have been misunderstoods core philosophy was that one should pursue simple pleasures in life. Friendship was also key to forming happiness.<ref>For more on the foundations of Epicurus' philosophy, see: Bales, it is important to delineate Eugene F. 2008. Philosophy in the key ideas he developed West: Men, Women, Religion, Science. Philadelphia, Pa.: Xlibris, pg. 68.</ref> While his falling out with other philosophers may seem a slight contradiction in his beliefs of seeking friendship and what pleasure, he intended by themdid try to live up to his ideals. His core ideals can be described This is demonstrated when he claimed to a friend in a letter, as atomistic materialismhe was dying, which held that all things are made up his state of atoms and that voids separated these atomsmind was delighted despite the pain he felt from kidney stones. Because gods do not control So, even if physically, one cannot escape pain or pleasure, and that they are likely unable or uninterested in causing pain or pleasure to peoplementally, one should can pursue pleasure as happiness such that it becomes a key goal in lifestate not bound by death or sickness. HoweverTherefore, his ideas differ greatly from the danger that Epicurus realized is that this simple pursuit can lead to indulgence that then leads back to pain. Thereforemodern understanding of hedonism, moderation which is key so that one does not become over zealous, or essentially addicted, to often associated with the pursuit of pleasure where they are unable to function and pursue a balanced lifeplease at all costs. Minimizing pain and suffering are critical to this. Thus it is not pursuit While many focus on his ideas of lusts or desires so much but it is seeking knowledgepleasure, good friendshipshis scientific ideas, along with those of Aristotle and banishing ideas that bring difficulty and problems to other Greek philosophers, have greatly influenced our lifemodern world.

The Epicureans did believe During Epicurus's lifetime, he had relatively few followers and met at his house's garden. In fact, the garden in his house becomes the existence name with which they associated their school. However, evidence of his enduring philosophy in the godscenturies that followed is evident, as when the Apostle Paul went to Athens, he encountered followers of Epicureanism, demonstrating the success of the philosophy as it began to develop.<ref>For more on how Epicureanism developed during and after Epicurus, but did not see them as central : O’Keefe, Tim. 2010. Epicureanism. Ancient Philosophies 7. Berkeley: University of California Press.</ref> Nevertheless, because later thought began to living or being happyconfound Epicureanism with hedonism and other philosophies of pleasure-seeking, which made them different from many other philosophersof Epicurus' ideas were frowned upon and became less acceptable. It was only in the Renaissance that his ideas once again blossomed.

==Key Influences on Our World==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 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 universe. Because gods do not control pain or pleasure, and that they are likely unable to or uninterested in causing pain or pleasure to people, one should, therefore, pursue pleasure as a key goal in life.

The impacts of Epicureans believed in the philosophy are many andgods' existence but did not see them as central to living or being happy, in which made them different from many waysother philosophers. However, Epicurus held many thoughts 's danger is that have turned out this pursuit can lead to at least have at least some truths, despite his inability indulgence that then leads back to fully observe thempain. For instanceWhile satisfying oneself may seem harmless enough, his ideas that the universe is infinite are more realistic than philosophers who had a very narrow idea of where the universe and its extent lies. He also believed no truth should be accepted as given without some form of proof, pursuit could become an idea obsession that is now foundational leads to modern sciencepain. He also believed that life must have basic building blocksTherefore, a concept of atoms that was only proven in the 19th century. A moderation is key development so that Epicurus indicated in his writings is the concept of divorcing the pursuit of knowledge from religious pursuitsone does not become overzealous, something that became popular by the Renascenceor essentially addicted, as thinkers from that era began to realize the importance pursuit of separating their work from religious zeal that may have hindered some advances in knowledge. A key example is Galileo’s advocacy that the Earth was not the center of the universepleasure where they cannot function and pursue a balanced life.

Epicurus has been a misunderstood philosopheralso warned against being involved in politics, as that also could lead to the diminishment of happiness, yet something that Epicurus noticed in his influence has been profound and can be considered one own life during the tumultuous politics of Athens after the founders death of modern Alexander the Great.<ref>For details of what pleasure means in the Epicurus' philosophy, see: Johnston, Derek. His ideas continue 2006. A Brief History of Philosophy: From Socrates to influence our world and then longevity of his thinking shows that it held influence through many major shifts in historyDerrida. London ; New York: Continuum.</ref>