EPICUREANISM

Founded by Epicurus (341–271 BC), this eponymous philosophy is best known through the Roman poet Lucretius (mid first century BC). Like the Atomists, the Epicureans maintained that everything is made up of indivisible atoms in a constant state of flux. They rejected any form of determinism, however, by arguing that these atoms were capable of random motion (“swerve”) in addition to their natural impetus. The resulting metaphysics was of a world governed by mechanical (if occasionally indeterministic) forces, yet which nevertheless allowed for the operation of free will. This in turn allowed the Epicureans to overcome two significant fears. First, since the world is governed by mechanical forces, we have nothing to fear from the gods. Second, since there is no continued existence following the dissolution of our bodies, there is no experience of death that we might dread. The pursuit of happiness similarly governs the other main tenets of Epicureanism. Our senses are taken to be reliable, since the alternative is a self-defeating (and therefore unpleasant) form of Skepticism; and while our ethical goal is the pursuit of pleasure, this should be moderate in form, based on simple living, immune to the instabilities associated with great wealth and power.