epicureanism

Ep·i·cu·re·an·ism

E0176000 (ĕp′ĭ-kyo͝o-rē′ə-nĭz′əm, -kyo͝or′ē-)n.1. A philosophy advanced by Epicurus that considered happiness, or the avoidance of pain and emotional disturbance, to be the highest good and that advocated the pursuit of pleasures that can be enjoyed in moderation.2. also epicureanism Devotion to a life of pleasure and luxury.

Ep•i•cu•re•an•ism

(ˌɛp ɪ kyʊˈri əˌnɪz əm, -ˈkyʊər i-)

also Ep•i•cur•ism

(ˈɛp ɪ kyʊˌrɪz əm, ˌɛp ɪˈkyʊər ɪz əm)

n. 1. the philosophical system of Epicurus, holding that the world is a series of fortuitous combinations of atoms and that the highest good is pleasure, interpreted as freedom from disturbance or pain. 2. (l.c.) epicurean tastes or habits.

epicurism, epicureanism

1. the cultivation of a refined taste, as in food, art, music, etc.; connoisseurship.
2. a devotion or adaptation to luxurious tastes, especially in drinking and eating, or to indulgence in sensual pleasures. — epicure, n. — epicurean, n., adj.See also: Pleasure

the habit of refined, often luxurious, enjoyment of sensuous pleasures, especially of food. — epicurean, n., adj.See also: Food and Nutrition

the philosophical system of Epicurus, holding that the natural world is a series of fortuitous combinations of atoms, and that the highest good is f reedom from disturbance and pain. Also Epicurism. — Epicurean, n., adj.See also: Philosophy

Epicureanism

A Greek philosophy identifying good with pleasure but advocating a withdrawn and quiet life.

Thesaurus

Noun

epicureanism - a doctrine of hedonism that was defended by several ancient Greek philosophersdoctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school

Translations

epicureanism

(ĕp'ĭkyo͝orē`ənĭz'əm), philosophy that follows the teachings of EpicurusEpicurus
, 341–270 B.C., Greek philosopher, b. Samos; son of an Athenian colonist. He claimed to be self-taught, although tradition states that he was schooled in the systems of Plato and Democritus by his father and various philosophers.
..... Click the link for more information. , who held that pleasure is the end of all morality and that real pleasure is attained through a life of prudence, honor, and justice. The philosophy was popular throughout the ancient world; it was spread by the successors of Epicurus, who included Polystratus, Zeno of Sidon, and Philodemus of Gadara. Only in later times did epicureanism come to mean devotion to extravagant pleasure.

Epicureanism

the philosophical teaching derived from the ideas of Epicurus.

The philosophical school (called the Garden) that Epicurus founded in Athens was one of the most influential intellectual currents of the Hellenic age along with Stoicism, its constant opponent in philosophical debate. The most famous members of the early Garden (fourth and third centuries B.C.) were Metrodorus, Polyaenus, Hermarchus, and Colotes; those of the middle period (second and first centuries B.C.) were Zeno of Sidon, Phaedrus, and Philodemus of Gadara. Phaedrus (who taught Cicero) and Philodemus (who may have been Lucretius’ teacher) brought Epicureanism to Rome. The outstanding achievement of Roman Epicureanism is Lucretius’ narrative poem On the Nature of Things (first century B.C.). The Epicurean school remained in existence until the middle of the fourth century.

A revival of Epicureanism (especially its ethics and its atomistic teachings) occurred during the Renaissance; its ideas continued to spread during the 17th and 18th centuries and were most consistently developed by P. Gassendi. Epicureanism was also frequently understood in the vulgar sense—that is, as the cult of sensory pleasures (for example, in ancient Rome, among the philosophers of the Renaissance, and during the Enlightenment in France).

REFERENCES

See references under .

A. L. DOBROKHOTOV

Epicureanism

See also Feast.Belshazzargave banquet unrivalled for sumptuousness. [O.T.: Daniel 5:1–4]Finches of the Groveeating club established for expensive dining. [Br. Lit.: Great Expectations]Gatsby, Jaymodern Trimalchio, wines and dines the upper echelon. [Am. Lit.: The Great Gatsby]Lucullus, Lucius Licinius(110–57 B.C.) gave luxurious banquets. [Rom. Hist.: New Century, 650]Mariusyoung pagan who follows the original philosophical tenets of Epicurus in his search for an answer to life. [Br. Lit.: Pater Marius the Epicurean in Magill II, 630]Trimalchiovulgar freedman gives lavish feast for noble guests. [Rom. Lit.: Satyricon]

epicureanism

Ep·i·cu·re·an·ism

Ep•i•cu•re•an•ism

also Ep•i•cur•ism

epicurism, epicureanism

Epicureanism

epicureanism

epicureanism

Epicureanism

REFERENCES

Epicureanism

epicureanism

Words related to epicureanism

noun a doctrine of hedonism that was defended by several ancient Greek philosophers

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