epicureanism

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epicureanism

epicureanism , philosophy that follows the teachings of Epicurus , 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.

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Epicureanism

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Epicureanism. The system of philosophical ethics founded by the Greek thinker Epicurus (342–270 BC). Epicurus held that the senses, as the source of all our ideas, provided the sole criterion of truth, and he sought the goal of human conduct in pleasure, which he equated with freedom from pain and from fear.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Epicureanism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Epicureanism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (November 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Epicureanism.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Epicureanism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved November 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Epicureanism.html

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