Epicurus

Epicurus
(c. 341 bc– 270 bc) Greek philosopher
Epicurus, who was born on the Greek island of Samos, traveled to Athens when he was about 18 years old, and received military training. He then taught at Mytilene and Lampsacus before returning to Athens (305 bc) where he founded a school of philosophy and attracted a substantial following.
Epicurus revived Democritean atomism and was little influenced by his predecessors, Plato and Aristotle. His work is known through substantial fragments in the writings of Diogenes Laërtius and especially through the long poem, De rerum natura (On the Nature of Things), by his Roman disciple Lucretius. The Epicurean philosophy aimed at the attainment of a happy, though simple, life and used the atomic theory to sanction the banishment of the old fears and superstitions. Epicurus also made important additions to the atomic theory, asserting the primacy of sense-perception where Democritus had distrusted the senses, and he introduced the concept of random atomic ‘swerve’ to preserve free will in an otherwise deterministic system.

Scientists. . 2011.

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  • Epicurus — [ep΄ə kyoor′əs] 341 270 B.C.; Gr. philosopher: founder of the Epicurean school, which held that the goal of man should be a life characterized by serenity of mind and the enjoyment of moderate pleasure …   English World dictionary

  • Epicurus — Infobox Philosopher name = polytonic|Έπίκουρος Epikouros |right|thumb|145px|Roman marble bust of Epicurus color = #B0C4DE region = Western philosophy era = Ancient philosophy birth = 341 BCE death = circa 270 BCE school tradition = Epicureanism… …   Wikipedia

  • Epicurus — /ep i kyoor euhs/, n. 342? 270 B.C., Greek philosopher. * * * born 341, Samos, Greece died 270 BC, Athens Greek philosopher. He was author of an ethical philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and retirement (see Epicureanism) and a… …   Universalium

  • Epicurus — (341–270 BC) Greek philosopher. Epicurus was born on the island of Samos, but moved to Athens in 307/6 BC, where he established a secluded community called the ‘Garden’. His doctrines are known mainly through the account in Diogenes Laertius, and …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Epicurus — Épicure Pour les articles homonymes, voir Epicure (homonymie). Épicure (Ἐπίκουρος) Philosophe Grec Antiquité …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Epicurus the Sage — Infobox comic book title title = Epicurus the Sage imagesize=225 caption = Volume 1 of Epicurus the Sage (1989). Pencils and inks by Sam Kieth. schedule = Biennial format = Graphic novel limited=y publisher = Piranha Press date = 1989 1991 issues …   Wikipedia

  • Epicurus — biographical name 341 270 B.C. Greek philosopher …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Epicurus — noun An ancient Greek philosopher, founder of the movement commonly known as Epicureanism …   Wiktionary

  • EPICURUS —    a Greek philosopher, born at Samos, of Athenian origin; settled at Athens in his thirty sixth year, and founded a philosophical school there, where he taught a philosophy in opposition to that of the Stoics; philosophy he defined as an… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

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