Exploring the Way of Epicurus: His destination, directions and strategies

by Gary W. Cross

Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who lived 2300 years ago, suggested that we all seek happiness which he defined as having a healthy body and tranquil psyche. This book explores Epicurus’ way to happiness, including the problems that Epicurus tells us we will encounter trying to achieve happiness; the directions that Epicurus offers to help us to achieve happiness; and finally the strategies that Epicurus offers to help us to overcome these problems and to successfully follow his directions.
Quotations are new translations from the Greek texts available today. All key words are linked to the original Greek words together with their meanings and nuances, allowing readers to explore the full richness of the original Greek words and to choose the meanings and nuances that they think better suit particular quotations.
This book is part of the series 'Ways of the World' in which the ways of the founders of various religions and philosophies are explored. Each book follows the same format, exploring: the destination that we are told to seek; the directions offered to help us to reach that destination; problems that we are told will hinder us on our way; and finally strategies that are offered to help us to overcome these problems and to successfully follow the directions. This format not only helps to better understand the way, but also makes it easier to compare the various ways

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2013

About the author

For as long as humans have existed, we have been seeking a way to a better life for ourselves, our children, grandchildren and indeed for all the people that we affect. Gary’s purpose is to continue this endeavour.

Gary is the author of two series of books in which he explores different ways to a better life.

In the series ‘Ways of the World’, Gary explores different ways of the world that have shaped in part his way to a better life. Books in this series currently include 'Exploring the Way of Epicurus', 'Exploring the Way of Epictetus', 'The Way of the Stoic Epictetus - A Short Introduction', 'Exploring the Way of Jesus', 'Exploring the Way of the Buddha' and 'Exploring the Way of Lao Tzu'. I suggest that these ways are as helpful today as they were 2000 years ago.

In the series ‘Exploring a Good Life, Wisdom and the Mind’ Gary continues the exploration into a way to a better life for ourselves and the people that we affect. A basic premises of this series is that the better we understand our mind, the better we will determine our way to a better life.
In the first book in the series, 'Exploring a Way to a Good Life', 'Gary, and the reader, explore our desires and dislikes so that we may better understand what a good life means. Then, with our understanding of what a good life means to us, we determine our way to achieving a better life. Without understanding what a good life is, we have no idea of where we wish to go, nowhere to head towards; no way to follow; we are lost. We travel randomly and end up going nowhere.

However, we encounter many problems when we follow our way to a better life. The basic premises of the second book in the series, 'Exploring Wisdom', is that it is wisdom that helps us to identify the problems we may encounter, and it is wisdom that helps us to develop strategies to help us cope with these problems and ultimately help us to achieve a better life.

In the third book in the series, 'Exploring the mind - Discovering Humps and How they shape us', we explore the mind further and discover the patterns of knowledge in our minds that shape our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, desires, dislikes, words and actions. Gary refers to these patterns of knowledge as humps. The better we understand our humps, the better we understand our mind and our way to a better life.

In the fourth book in the series, 'Exploring a Good life with Humps in Mind', we use our knowledge about humps to help to us better understand what a good life means to us and thus better understand our way to a better life.

In the fifth book of the series, 'Exploring Wisdom with Humps in Mind', we use our knowledge about humps to help us to better understand wisdom and how we can be wiser more often. The way to a better life is the way of wisdom. The wiser we are, the more likely we and those that we affect will have a better life.

Reviews

[Noah Letner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done presentation of the philosophy. A bit repetitive, but it helps understanding the details and for retaining the information. Great way to learn this life-changing and liberating philosophy. Thank you Gary.
Another reading 2018: easy and concise presentation excellent for a quick understanding.

[Willis Z. Kelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good for people who are just beginning to study the stoics.

The entirety of this book is merely a pamphlet. I was hoping to learn more about epicurus and his teachings. Having supposedly been a prolific writer this book lacks substance. The contents merely reflect the thoughts of the majority of other Greek and Roman philosophers.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Clear

Epicurus was a prolific writer, but few of his documents remain. Gary Cross captures the essence of Epicurus' philosophy in this short book, which is easy to read and understand, and he dispels the misunderstandings most of us have about what it means to be an epicurean.

[James Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short, simple overview of Epicurianism. Good as far as it goes, though it doesn't go far.

[Cy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary of Epicurus's philosophy. For such a short work, it was oddly repetitive in format.

[Alistair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for a very short and memorable summary of the philosophy of Epicurus.

[Benjamin Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basic book on Epicurus

I found this book o be rather an enjoyable although it was rather short. It completely explained the epicurean philosophy