Cover of Epicurus: The Principal Doctrines by Epicurus Audiobook Epicurus: The Principal Doctrines
Audiobook · The Big Nest

Epicurus: The Principal Doctrines

Author
Epicurus
Read by
Josh Verbae
Series
Essential Epicurus · 1
Language
English
Length
15 minutes
ISBN
9781910660102
Published
15 November 2014
Imprint
The Big Nest
  • Epicurus
  • Epicurean
  • philosophy
  • peace
  • freedom
  • pain
  • fear
  • nature
  • ethics
  • morality

Description

For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by peace and freedom from fear, the absence of pain, and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends. He taught that pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and evil; death is the end of both body and soul and should therefore not be feared; the gods neither reward nor punish humans; the universe is infinite and eternal; and events in the world are ultimately based on the motions and interactions of atoms. Although much of Epicurus' written work has been lost, his surviving principal doctrines form a complete foundation of his teaching. This audio book adaptation features all 40 principles, read in English, unabridged.

Author

Epicurus (341-270 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism, a school of philosophy that advocated for a life aimed at attaining tranquility and freedom from fear through knowledge, friendship, and simple pleasures. Born on the island of Samos, Epicurus emphasized the pursuit of happiness through understanding the workings of the world and limiting desires.