John Sellars

The Epicurean alternative to the handbook of Epictetus

The Stoics have long had a concise summation of their practical philosophy in handbook form. The Enchiridion, written by Arrian, a second-century follower of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, presents a compilation of practical precepts for those looking to apply Stoicism to their daily lives.

In The Pocket Epicurean, John Sellars adopts the role of Arrian for Epicureanism, presenting the competing (or complementary, depending on how you show more look at it) version of the Stoic masterpiece of practical ethics.

Sellars masterfully presents the philosophy in seven short chapters that can be read in one sitting, with recommendations for further reading for those who want to dive deeper into the philosophy.

As a work of practical ethics, the content revolves around what is known as the fourfold cure, which can be summarized as follows:

1. Don’t fear god - According to Epicurus, the gods are perfect, and, as such, do not concern themselves with the imperfect world of human affairs. Therefore, there is nothing to fear. Epicurus therefore wasn’t an atheist, as most people suppose, he just didn’t believe that the gods had human characteristics and imperfections.

It’s interesting to note that Deists—who believe that God created the universe and then left it to run itself without intervention—adopt an essentially Epicurean stance. Thomas Jefferson, for example, was a Deist—and also a fan of Epicurus.

Some of us, however, might put this a little different today: don’t fear god because god probably doesn’t exist.

2. Don’t worry about death - To Epicurus, pleasure is good and pain is bad. Since death is the absence of all experience and sensation, it is neither good nor bad, and therefore should not be feared. Since we don’t spend our days worrying about what it was like before we were born, we likewise shouldn’t worry about what happens after we die.

3. What is good is easy to get - Epicureanism is best described as a form of moderate hedonism. Epicurus never encouraged the maximization of pleasure, as many short-term pleasures lead to long-term suffering. Instead, Epicurus encouraged the pursuit of “natural and necessary” pleasures—simple food, drink, shelter, and the company of friends—that lead to a state of tranquility. Since these simple pleasures are easily attained, one can become “rich,” not by acquiring more, but by desiring less. As Epicurus said, “Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.” If this sounds like the Western version of Buddhism, that’s because, in large part, it is.

4. What is terrible is easy to endure - Pleasure is the ultimate good, but pain is unavoidable. The Epicurean prepares for hardship by reminding him/herself that pain is either mild or else intense but short-lived. In either case, according to Epicurus, pain is easy to endure, and, even on one’s deathbed, can be lessened via the contemplation of past pleasures. In addition, the anticipation of pain is often worse than the pain itself.

What Epicurus was trying to do is allay the most common causes of fear and anxiety he witnessed in others: fears of god, superstition, religion, death, pain, and the pursuit of limitless desires. If one could only see the world for what it is—a chaotic collection of atoms that are forever undergoing change, creation, and destruction—they could stop torturing themselves with meaningless pursuits and silly superstitions, focusing instead on the simple pleasures in life that create a constant feeling of contentment. This therapeutic element of philosophy is just as relevant now as it was thousands of years ago.

Seneca, the famous Roman Stoic, had a soft spot for Epicureanism, as I think most Stoics do. While there are philosophical disagreements between both schools, each contains what the other is lacking; Stoicism better equips you to handle adversity and build character whereas Epicureanism helps you to better appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Both also have a lot in common, in that both advocate for moderation, the importance of friendship, the primacy of reason, and the attainment of tranquility. And there’s no rule preventing you from adopting the best of both.

Pair this book with Massimo Pigliucci’s modern update of the Enchiridion, A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living, and you’ll have a great understanding of the basic elements of the two leading practical philosophies of the ancient world. show less

Great introduction to the philosophy of stoicism and many recommendations for further reading.

John Sellars destila y entrelaza las ideas clave de los tres grandes estoicos romanos Séneca, Epicteto y Marco Aurelio ofreciendo también instantáneas de sus fascinantes vidas. Las obras de estos tres grandes tratan fundamentalmente sobre cómo vivir: entender nuestro lugar en el mundo, afrontar las adversidades, hacer un mejor uso del tiempo, controlar nuestras emociones y orientarnos en nuestras relaciones con los demás. Sus ideas pueden, en definitiva, guiarnos en nuestra búsqueda de show more una existencia más placentera. show less

A good and thought provoking outline

The only thing I was disappointed with is that it ended far too soon!
I'll definitely be following up on some of the "recommended reading"!