Epicurus

by A.E. Taylor

Epicurus is a compact, inviting study of a remarkable thinker and his temperament. This volume introduces the man and his circle, exploring how their ideas shaped a distinctive approach to life, ethics, and knowledge. It presents Epicurus not as a dry scientist, but as a figure whose thought connected physics, psychology, and the pursuit of happiness.

The book frames Epicurus in context, tracing his roots to earlier atomism and showing how his views interacted with Democritus and Aristotle. It also surveys his science, his ideas about reality and sensation, and his stance on immortality and death. The discussion extends to how Epicurus was received by critics and how later writers, including Lucretius, echoed and challenged his legacy. Written from primary sources, it aims to illuminate both the man and the tradition he helped shape.


Clear, accessible account of Epicurus’ physics and his view of atoms, void, and sensation
Connections to Democritus, Aristotle, and the broader Greek philosophical scene
Discussion of ethics, the good life, and the place of happiness in Epicurean thought
Context on later reception, critics, and the enduring influence of his ideas


Ideal for readers of philosophy history, classics, or anyone curious about ancient atomism and its impact on how we think about life and reality.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Ancient

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1910

About the author

Alfred Edward Taylor was a British idealist philosopher. He was born in 1869, the son of a Wesleyan minister. Among many distinguished appointments, he held the chair of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh from 1924 to 1941. His main interests were Platonic philosophy and the theology of Christianity, and his contributions in both these fields have been of far-reaching importance. "Does God Exist?" was his last considerable work on the philosophy of religion before his death in 1945.

Reviews

[Dilek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epikuros'dan biraz öncesine giderek helenistik dönemdeki 'akademia' yani felsefe okulları ve o dönem özetleniyor. Bu topluluk iyi yaşam sürmek için biraraya gelen topluluğun üyeleridir. Antikçağ'daki en pragmatik felsefelerden biri Epikuros'tur, felsefenin görevi ruh için erdem ve esenliktir ki bu tıp bilimine kadar geri giden bir düşüncedir.
-Epikurosçular felsefeyi doğa ve mantık olarak ikiye ayırır ve rasyonel olan mantık kısmını yok sayarlar, atomculuk öğretisi üzerine gider. Ona göre duyumsama sahte biliştir, kavrama ise hakikidir.
-Her türlü bilgi aktüel duyumlarla başlar ve ona dönerek analiz edilir.
-Mantık ve matematiği kabul etmemesinde atomların sonsuz kere bölünememesi fikri vardır.
*Neden birbirini çeken güçler, onları kavramış olsak da, atomları belirsiz şekilde birarada tutmasın ki?
-Tanrılar bizi korku ve kaygıdan özgürleştirir diyerek, çoğunlukla tanrı varlığını reddeder.