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Reclaiming Epicurus
Epicureanism is not just for gourmands – journalist Luke Slattery argues that it can help us rethink out materialist ways and face the challenges of man-made climate change. Rather than appealing to altruism, or calling for economic revolution, the Epicurean philosophy counsels that genuine happiness comes from the quieting of desire: from less, not more. And that might just be the mindset we need to rein in unsustainable development. Could answers to the big questions faced in the twenty-first century be found on fragments of petrified scrolls in the Villa of the Papyri, buried along with Pompeii?
88 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2012
17 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Luke Slattery
5 books10 followersLuke Slattery is a Sydney-based journalist, editor and columnist whose work appears in The Australian, The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review. Internationally he has been published at The New Yorker online, the LA Times, the International Herald Tribune, the UK Spectator, and the US Chronicle of Higher Education. Mrs M is his fifth book, and his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 7, 2022
well-written and an interesting philosophy
November 28, 2023
after all that I still don’t know much about Epicureanism… though that’s maybe more my fault
December 25, 2017
"If Epicurean ideas were actively at work in our world they would serve to moderate our mania for more gadgets and consumer goods, cool the culture of insatiability, reconnect us to community and rephrase our conversation about happiness."
An essay that strives to revive the philosophy of Epicurus in our times.
An essay that strives to revive the philosophy of Epicurus in our times.
May 26, 2025
Last summer, after reading
The Penguin Book of Hell
and getting sick of moralizing depictions of the afterlife, I bought a copy of A.E. Stallings' translation of Lucretius' De rerum natura, a poem that had been influential on me as a baby atheist (aged 21). I'd liked Lucretius before I realized that I did not believe in a god, but coming to book 3, with its repudiation of the possibility of an afterlife, was striking to me. It's lingered ever since.
I haven't got around to reading Stallings' translation yet, but a couple of months ago I picked up Being Happy , which collects pretty much all of the surviving works of Epicurus himself - not much. I read that much more quickly. Lucretius is, I think, the better introduction to Epicureanism, but it is fascinating to read what the man himself wrote (in translation). I wanted to read more about modern responses to Epicurus and this little book was one of the things that came up.
Luke Slattery asks a big question in this little book: Could an ancient philosophy of happiness save the world? The answer is more complicated. Slattery doesn't quite articulate the threat to our world beyond climate change - which, fair enough, is an existential threat. He also doesn't really show how exactly we might live as Epicureans in the twenty-first century. There is, however, a lot of interesting discussion about how Epicurus' philosophy relates to modern concerns. The idea that it's actually quite easy to be happy, if one curbs one's unnecessary desires, is major. That we might be happier cultivating our garden is a major theme. Key to the whole enterprise is that it is our own personal happiness that can save the world: with peace-of-mind, we can reclaim a sense of community and live in harmony.
There are a lot of threads that go unexplored. The practical matter of what this life looks like is one; another is the fact that personal happiness is only easy for those of relatively healthy body and neurotypical mind. Slattery also talks about the "spiritual" aspects of Epicureanism, without exploring what this means for a materialist philosophy (I don't see a contradiction here myself, but one has to understand "spiritual" as relating to mental health, rather than an eternal spirit). Mostly, this feels like an introduction to something that is under explored - and which requires, I think, some degree of knowledge about Epicureanism before starting.
That being said, it made me think a lot about my personal relationship with Epicureanism and how that decades-old love of Lucretius translates into my life now. It also informed me of many aspects of the history of Epicureanism beyond Epicurus and Lucretius of which I was not aware. I don't think this book can be a starting point or an end point on an Epicurean journey, but it still has value as a mid-point.
I haven't got around to reading Stallings' translation yet, but a couple of months ago I picked up Being Happy , which collects pretty much all of the surviving works of Epicurus himself - not much. I read that much more quickly. Lucretius is, I think, the better introduction to Epicureanism, but it is fascinating to read what the man himself wrote (in translation). I wanted to read more about modern responses to Epicurus and this little book was one of the things that came up.
Luke Slattery asks a big question in this little book: Could an ancient philosophy of happiness save the world? The answer is more complicated. Slattery doesn't quite articulate the threat to our world beyond climate change - which, fair enough, is an existential threat. He also doesn't really show how exactly we might live as Epicureans in the twenty-first century. There is, however, a lot of interesting discussion about how Epicurus' philosophy relates to modern concerns. The idea that it's actually quite easy to be happy, if one curbs one's unnecessary desires, is major. That we might be happier cultivating our garden is a major theme. Key to the whole enterprise is that it is our own personal happiness that can save the world: with peace-of-mind, we can reclaim a sense of community and live in harmony.
There are a lot of threads that go unexplored. The practical matter of what this life looks like is one; another is the fact that personal happiness is only easy for those of relatively healthy body and neurotypical mind. Slattery also talks about the "spiritual" aspects of Epicureanism, without exploring what this means for a materialist philosophy (I don't see a contradiction here myself, but one has to understand "spiritual" as relating to mental health, rather than an eternal spirit). Mostly, this feels like an introduction to something that is under explored - and which requires, I think, some degree of knowledge about Epicureanism before starting.
That being said, it made me think a lot about my personal relationship with Epicureanism and how that decades-old love of Lucretius translates into my life now. It also informed me of many aspects of the history of Epicureanism beyond Epicurus and Lucretius of which I was not aware. I don't think this book can be a starting point or an end point on an Epicurean journey, but it still has value as a mid-point.
December 28, 2014
An interesting overview of the philosophy of Epicurus, and how his ancient philosophy can be applied to modern day problems like Climate Change. The book did however come across as overly pretentious at times, even for what you'd expect from such an esoteric subject. The book sort of derails about mid-way through as Slattery describes his trips to Greece and Turkey (I think?) to visit Epicurean sites. I was also expecting a lot more depth in terms of his actual philosophical views, and how they could be further applied in modern life. However, it was a pleasant, quick read overall, and much of the lack-of-depth issues are in-part part of the problem of trying to 'reclaim' Epicurus, when so much of his original writings and teachings are lost to history. Worth a read.
February 15, 2022
i don’t know if it’s too much to say that this book (essay?) changed my life but it definitely had a significant impact on the way i view the world. i haven’t read all that much on epicurus but i had this preconceived idea that, in privileging pleasure, his philosophy was like super hedonistic, like extremely decadent and indulgent, however that is not the case at all. whilst pleasure is “the chief good”, epicurus explains that this is achieved by changing the nature of our desires and learning to be content with what satisfies our fundamental needs. it’s very much about living in the moment and finding happiness in the small things.
slattery proposed these epicurean ideals of aiming for contentment with necessities and quieting of excess desire as a solution to our modern consumerist culture and the current climate change problems; our constant growth and desire for more is unsustainable. i loved how he made an ancient philosophy relevant (he simultaneously acknowledged that it was far from perfect, and not every bit of epicureanism is applicable or useful to modern society)
he also talked about how epicureanism has influenced other philosophers such as marx, and like explained how many of marx’s principles were based off of epicurean ideals.
and also another thing that i found super interesting was how epicureanism and christianity were both rising and fighting for prominence at the same time. obviously christianity ultimately won and epicureanism sort of died out until it’s modern day revival. it makes you wonder what our world would be like now if epicureanism had won instead.
i obviously don’t agree with every facet of epicureanism or every one of slattery’s interpretations, but i thought it was a really interesting discussion with some really good ideas. it’s an easy read as well, like approximately 70 pages and for the most part in plain terms.
i also enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t entirely theory, it was interspersed with personal anecdotes and also a section about the archaeology and restoration of ancient texts, which i knew nothing about and found really interesting!
i feel like there’s so much more i have to say about this book but i’ll leave it at that. definitely recommend, i think everyone should read it.
slattery proposed these epicurean ideals of aiming for contentment with necessities and quieting of excess desire as a solution to our modern consumerist culture and the current climate change problems; our constant growth and desire for more is unsustainable. i loved how he made an ancient philosophy relevant (he simultaneously acknowledged that it was far from perfect, and not every bit of epicureanism is applicable or useful to modern society)
he also talked about how epicureanism has influenced other philosophers such as marx, and like explained how many of marx’s principles were based off of epicurean ideals.
and also another thing that i found super interesting was how epicureanism and christianity were both rising and fighting for prominence at the same time. obviously christianity ultimately won and epicureanism sort of died out until it’s modern day revival. it makes you wonder what our world would be like now if epicureanism had won instead.
i obviously don’t agree with every facet of epicureanism or every one of slattery’s interpretations, but i thought it was a really interesting discussion with some really good ideas. it’s an easy read as well, like approximately 70 pages and for the most part in plain terms.
i also enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t entirely theory, it was interspersed with personal anecdotes and also a section about the archaeology and restoration of ancient texts, which i knew nothing about and found really interesting!
i feel like there’s so much more i have to say about this book but i’ll leave it at that. definitely recommend, i think everyone should read it.
October 26, 2020
What made me finish this book is the question, “what does Epicurus propose for the modern world as a therapy?”
The author shows us instead of answers two ways to be creative and contented, Diogenes and Philodemus. Two very different lives, both Epicurean.
The therapy, as such, is an art. The whole book demonstrates it in every sentence.
That’s why it deserves such high regard.
Now, for the pragmatic Anglos and Americans among us, we also need some directions too. And I think it lacks that.
I also think it lacks the dense dazzling almost clumsy sense of over-construction we see in Seneca, Ryan Holiday at his best, or Montaigne. Stoics all, of course.
There’s no doubt the author is sincere and lucid, but he needs a visit to the stoic school of rhetoric in my opinion, and thus I remove one star of five.
Superb book!
I would suggest Rick Hansen’s exercise “taking in the good” as a perfect modern application of Epicurean therapy; and lovingkindness practice too.
The author shows us instead of answers two ways to be creative and contented, Diogenes and Philodemus. Two very different lives, both Epicurean.
The therapy, as such, is an art. The whole book demonstrates it in every sentence.
That’s why it deserves such high regard.
Now, for the pragmatic Anglos and Americans among us, we also need some directions too. And I think it lacks that.
I also think it lacks the dense dazzling almost clumsy sense of over-construction we see in Seneca, Ryan Holiday at his best, or Montaigne. Stoics all, of course.
There’s no doubt the author is sincere and lucid, but he needs a visit to the stoic school of rhetoric in my opinion, and thus I remove one star of five.
Superb book!
I would suggest Rick Hansen’s exercise “taking in the good” as a perfect modern application of Epicurean therapy; and lovingkindness practice too.
November 5, 2020
I had the false impression that this would be like the Oxford's 'Very Short Introduction' series; introducing, contextualising and updating the Epicurean philosophy. Instead, I'm not sure what it was even intending to be, let alone what it was. For a work this short, I expected every sentence to be prescient and punchy, but instead found him passing casual commentary on pizza as he travels through southern Europe. It only took about an hour to read, so nothing lost but neither, unfortunately, anything gained...
September 5, 2022
This slim (50-page) volume is a light introduction to the philosophy of Epicurus. Its emphasis leans more on Epicureanism's practical, moral aspects than its physical/metaphysical aspects. And that is okay, because those speak to people more clearly and have aged better. Slattery determinedly puts Epicureanism in a 21st-century context, showing its relevance to our current condition: politically, economically, environmentally. Best of all, he accomplishes this without assuming the tone of a scold.
May 13, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to Epicurus. This is a school of thought that has been somewhat hijacked down through the centuries, but has much to offer us today.
I read it before hearing Slattery speak on it at the Symposium of Australian Gastronomy. The ironic fact that my reading came hot on the heels of a food festival that largely celebrates the hijacked version of Epicureanism was an excellent example of the universe and it's timing!
I read it before hearing Slattery speak on it at the Symposium of Australian Gastronomy. The ironic fact that my reading came hot on the heels of a food festival that largely celebrates the hijacked version of Epicureanism was an excellent example of the universe and it's timing!
August 6, 2017
写得好啊，哲学和用哲学想问题的人真是性感！特别是当他说：(The Epicurean believes that) extravagant 'desires for riches, fame and power' are signs of a diseased mind, (while the rat-wheel of insatiability is a symptom of a society that has not learnt to differentiate between natural and necessary pleasures, and those that are groundless and empty.)简直不能够更认同
July 20, 2019
Brief treatise on the Epicureanism
The material available on Epicurus and his pleasure ideology is not much. The Author has been successful in bringing home the message to reduce our lust for instability .More excerpts from the Epicurus philosophy would have been welcome. A good read in all.
The material available on Epicurus and his pleasure ideology is not much. The Author has been successful in bringing home the message to reduce our lust for instability .More excerpts from the Epicurus philosophy would have been welcome. A good read in all.
February 2, 2017
an introduction to the ancient greek philosophy of epicureanism - which seems to be living more simply. relevant ideas in a world ravaged by climate change and rampant consumarism. The essay's just not engaging.
December 28, 2019
Meh. I read it because a) I was interested in Epicurean philosophy and b) it was short and I was trying to finish my challenge while moving. Not overly engaging but still had interesting parts. Definitely short.
May 7, 2018
Very engaging, informative.
An engaging, informative book. It kept my interest from the start. The story of the physical reclamation of Epicurean texts was of great interest to me.
An engaging, informative book. It kept my interest from the start. The story of the physical reclamation of Epicurean texts was of great interest to me.
May 6, 2023
A breezy and inoffensive combination of travel writing and philosophy. It's fine.
July 31, 2017
Loved it - beautifully concise and the title sums it up. I too had the traditional impression of Epicurus as the Arch hedonist..the reality is more nuanced and far more interesting. There can be little wiser advice than to be happy with what you have rather than expect what you have making you happy (to badly paraphrase!)
April 7, 2015
Wonderfully written and an interesting and mind-opening read.
Quotes I liked:
"A tortoise groped across the pathway, burdened by its dome of ceramic ware. After skirting rich strands of pasture, the rocky path corkscrewed up into the more arid reaches of goat country." p. 26-7
"I was looking at a shard of half-recovered time. The scroll belonged, I realised, to a genre of accidental art that speaks of our relationship to the past more potently than many an intact work; it is the art of the fragment, and art that yields to us, but never surrenders. It embodies, in its physical form, some of the romance, the mystery, of lost time." p. 45
"For as the Epicurean reminds us, true pleasure - such as the pleasure of friendship and the enjoyment for simple things - is easily attained . . . For the globe is a garden and we are here not to passively observe but to cultivate it, to 'dress and to keep it'." p.77
Quotes I liked:
"A tortoise groped across the pathway, burdened by its dome of ceramic ware. After skirting rich strands of pasture, the rocky path corkscrewed up into the more arid reaches of goat country." p. 26-7
"I was looking at a shard of half-recovered time. The scroll belonged, I realised, to a genre of accidental art that speaks of our relationship to the past more potently than many an intact work; it is the art of the fragment, and art that yields to us, but never surrenders. It embodies, in its physical form, some of the romance, the mystery, of lost time." p. 45
"For as the Epicurean reminds us, true pleasure - such as the pleasure of friendship and the enjoyment for simple things - is easily attained . . . For the globe is a garden and we are here not to passively observe but to cultivate it, to 'dress and to keep it'." p.77
October 2, 2015
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. A bit light on if you've already investigated the subject, but, hell, it's intended as a long essay, not a Classics text.
He has that slightly annoying journalist's habit of foregrounding his travels, actions, reactions, thoughts and observations. So it's more about the journey than about Epicurus for quite a lot of the book. I know a lot of people enjoy that style, but, personally, I'd have enjoyed a bit more research and fewer sunsets and hillsides described in try-hard purple prose.I found it really off-putting.
So off-putting that I'm not so sure now that I'll ever get around to reading his earlier book about Classics and travel — Dating Aphrodite — which I've had on my shelves for years.
He has that slightly annoying journalist's habit of foregrounding his travels, actions, reactions, thoughts and observations. So it's more about the journey than about Epicurus for quite a lot of the book. I know a lot of people enjoy that style, but, personally, I'd have enjoyed a bit more research and fewer sunsets and hillsides described in try-hard purple prose.I found it really off-putting.
So off-putting that I'm not so sure now that I'll ever get around to reading his earlier book about Classics and travel — Dating Aphrodite — which I've had on my shelves for years.
July 28, 2013
Epicureanism is said by Slattery to be not so much a philosophy of life as an art of living. Of course, there is a potent attraction to the idea of living the simple life without any gods to bother about. Slattery sees Epicureanism as a very 'green' philosophy which may be able to counteract our rampant materialism. But Slattery does nothing to counter the essential selfishness of this ancient philosophy - apart from a passing reference to living justly, there is nothing to encourage us to serve others in our community and around the world. We can't relieve suffering if we are only seeking pleasure in our enclosed garden.
February 4, 2015
I'm not certain what I expected from this slim little volume - I'd been intrigued with Epicurus since I stumbled across him on wikipedia mid last year but was aware that only a very limited selection of his writings are still available.
This was not quite what I was looking for - it was more of a pleasant wander around the corners of epicurianism than an explicit discussion of what few texts are available, but it was enjoyable none the less.
This was not quite what I was looking for - it was more of a pleasant wander around the corners of epicurianism than an explicit discussion of what few texts are available, but it was enjoyable none the less.
June 18, 2014
A hero for our times
A hero for our times
slattery's essay on Epicurus reminds us why philosophy still has so much to teach us- if only we would listen. it's a trail through time as Slattery invokes Epicurus, his followers (including Marx) and explains why the philosopher remains relevant to us if only we would read him. This essay provides the way in.
A hero for our times
slattery's essay on Epicurus reminds us why philosophy still has so much to teach us- if only we would listen. it's a trail through time as Slattery invokes Epicurus, his followers (including Marx) and explains why the philosopher remains relevant to us if only we would read him. This essay provides the way in.
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November 19, 2014A short intro to Epicurus's thought and the inspiration it played for a young Karl Marx and what role it could play in the fight against climate change today. It also plays an important role in dispelling the capitalist conception of epicurianism, which conceptionalises the current society's idealisation of destructive excess and gluttonous tendencies.
August 24, 2015
An interesting insight from this book is that Epicurus was eclipsed by Christianity. This book protrays the scope and reach of Epicurus the master philosopher and scientist as a true rival for hearts and minds in the the early Christian empire. This book makes good claims for the relevance of Epicurus to modern problems like ecological sustainability, information overload, and alienation.
May 10, 2015
Not sure about a philosophy whose appeal to us is that it doesn't rely on altruism. "By pursuing in this vein our own self-interest, our own health and our own sanity, we can help to achieve any number of secondary social goals: equity, sustainability and social justice." p. 74. Is appealing to self-interest really the only way we can encourage people to work for justice?
March 1, 2016
Starts promisingly but ultimately a bit lightweight and rambling. I know a little more about Epicurus than I did before but despite the author's subtitle he does not convince that Epicurus's philosophy 'could save the world'.
I also found the sudden shifts between philosophy essay and travel book irritating.
I also found the sudden shifts between philosophy essay and travel book irritating.
December 6, 2016
"Rambling" has been used in a previous review and this is indeed a very good description of this essay. Don't be fooled: it is not about Epicureanism. It is about how Epicureanism, which is essentially a highly personal philosophy - or art of living -, can solve Climate Change and bring back Marxism. Not my cup of tea, really !
April 16, 2014
Easy reading, a great introduction to Epicureanism. Even more interesting to those interested in the Herculaneum scrolls.
January 25, 2015
Very engaging and timely, always sensed there was more to Epicurus than I had understood . this essay is a well written journey into reloooking at his place in our world.
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