Epicurus
ancientEpicureanism-341 – -270
Epicurus (341–270 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism and established his school, 'The Garden,' in Athens. He developed a comprehensive philosophical system integrating atomist physics, empiricist epistemology, and hedonic ethics centered on the pursuit of tranquility (ataraxia) and freedom from pain (aponia). His theology held that gods exist but are composed of atoms and entirely indifferent to human affairs.
Notable Achievements
1
Founded Epicureanism, one of the three dominant Hellenistic philosophical schools, with a systematic account of physics, epistemology, and ethics
2
Advanced an atomist metaphysics (following Democritus) in which all reality, including the soul, consists of atoms moving through void
3
Developed hedonic ethics arguing that pleasure—understood as absence of pain and anxiety—is the highest good and proper aim of life
4
Articulated an influential argument against fear of death: since death is the cessation of sensation, it cannot be experienced as harmful
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