EPICURUS TO MENOECEUS
INTRODUCTION
Epicurus in his letter to Menoeceus backers the necessity of freedom from prejudice, superstition and extremes of emotions in the pursuit of happiness and a tranquil life. The apparent simplicity of this formula allowed detractors to misinterpret Epicurus, depicting him as depraved, hedonistic, anarchistic and atheistic. His aim is to present to us, how to live a happy life. He sees happiness as the fundamental principle of the good life. This paper is an attempt to critically delineate the essential tenets of Epicureanism as articulated in his letter to Menoeceus, and finally to criticize and evaluate in order to arrive at a dependable conclusion. In what follows, it would be apt to briefly consider the personality or Epicurus, before delving into the main work.
BIOGRAPHY
Epicurus was born in 342BC at Samos, a colony of Athens. His youthful period at Samos provided him with standard Greek education, which Epicurus supplemented with his own investigation into philosophy. At the age of eighteen he came to Athens for his military service. Epicurus was highly influenced by earlier thinkers, especially by Cyrenaic and Democritus; he differed in a significant way with Democritus on determinism. He was an ancient Greek philosopher and the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. He wrote 300 written works, including 37 treatises on physics and numerous works on nature, love, gods, and other subjects. He died in 271BC.
EXPOSITION OF THE TEXT
Epicurus began his letter by encouraging both the old and the young to seek for wisdom because; it will help both the aged and the young to exercise themselves in things that bring happiness. It is this happiness that brings about the wellbeing of the soul. Consequently he posits the limitedness in pursuit for happiness.
For Epicurus, gods are not to be feared because they are immortal and happy beings. According to him, gods do exist but do not interfere with our affairs as some believe. Some believe
Epicurus in his letter to Menoeceus backers the necessity of freedom from prejudice, superstition and extremes of emotions in the pursuit of happiness and a tranquil life. The apparent simplicity of this formula allowed detractors to misinterpret Epicurus, depicting him as depraved, hedonistic, anarchistic and atheistic. His aim is to present to us, how to live a happy life. He sees happiness as the fundamental principle of the good life. This paper is an attempt to critically delineate the essential tenets of Epicureanism as articulated in his letter to Menoeceus, and finally to criticize and evaluate in order to arrive at a dependable conclusion. In what follows, it would be apt to briefly consider the personality or Epicurus, before delving into the main work.
BIOGRAPHY
Epicurus was born in 342BC at Samos, a colony of Athens. His youthful period at Samos provided him with standard Greek education, which Epicurus supplemented with his own investigation into philosophy. At the age of eighteen he came to Athens for his military service. Epicurus was highly influenced by earlier thinkers, especially by Cyrenaic and Democritus; he differed in a significant way with Democritus on determinism. He was an ancient Greek philosopher and the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. He wrote 300 written works, including 37 treatises on physics and numerous works on nature, love, gods, and other subjects. He died in 271BC.
EXPOSITION OF THE TEXT
Epicurus began his letter by encouraging both the old and the young to seek for wisdom because; it will help both the aged and the young to exercise themselves in things that bring happiness. It is this happiness that brings about the wellbeing of the soul. Consequently he posits the limitedness in pursuit for happiness.
For Epicurus, gods are not to be feared because they are immortal and happy beings. According to him, gods do exist but do not interfere with our affairs as some believe. Some believe