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Bible Dictionaries
Epicureanism
Holman Bible Dictionary
or The school of thought was founded by Epicurus who was born in 341 B.C. on the Greek island of Samos. Epicurus founded his school (The Garden) in Athens. Around him he gathered his students and refined his philosophy. Epicurean thought had a significant impact on the Hellenistic world and later, Rome. Paul met Epicureans as he preached about Jesus and the resurrection in Athens (Acts 17:18 ).
Epicurean philosophy centered on the search for happiness. Pleasure is the beginning and fulfillment of a happy life. Often today, Epicurus' ideas are distorted. Many think he proposed a life of sensual pleasure and gluttony. This concept is far from his philosophy and his own life-style. To Epicurus happiness could only be achieved through tranquillity and a life of contemplation. The goal of Epicureanism was to acquire a trouble-free state of mind, to avoid the pains of the body, and especially mental anguish. Epicureans sought seclusion from worldly temptations. Epicurus taught that a man should not become involved in politics or affairs of the state. These activities simply served to distract one from the life of contemplation.
He believed in gods, but he thought that they were totally unconcerned with the lives or troubles of mortals. Still, according to Epicurus, it was appropriate to worship the gods because it leads to happiness.
Even though Epicurean thought focused on the search for happiness and advocated withdrawal from the world's affairs, it was by no means an egoistic philosophy. Friendship was a very important aspect of the philosophy. Indeed, friendship was seen as the best attribute of society. A true Epicurean was willing to give one's own life for a friend. The ideal society was a group of like minds living together. Epicureans believed in equality. Both slaves and women were received as equals at the school.
The Epicurean quest for happiness left little time for concern for afterlife. Epicureans believed in living happy and dying happy. Death did not concern them. They believed that death should be met with a serene mind. In death, the soul is asleep and can no longer be disturbed.
Epicurean philosophy remained popular for several centuries even though it had many opponents, especially the Stoics. Its long-lasting popularity was due, in large part, to the changes that the Hellenistic Age generated. The traditional Greek emphasis on the individual was submerged in the great, more impersonal empires of the Hellenistic period. To counteract that trend the Epicureans taught friendship and a determination to find individual happiness.
Epicurean philosophy continued to have a significant impact on ancient civilization for several centuries after the death of Epicurus. Its influence waned considerably after the emergence of Christianity.
Epicurus' most famous disciple was the Roman poet Lucretius the author of De Rerum Nature (On The Nature of Things) written in 54 B.C.
Gary Poulton
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Epicureanism'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/e/epicureanism.html. 1991.
