Epicurus And The Pleasant Life: A Philosophy of Nature

Product Description

In our era of email, smartphones, and wild consumerism, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important. Few know this better than Haris Dimitriadis, an ex-corporate climber who one day realized that, although he had all the hallmarks of success—money, a good job, the respect of his peers—he wasn’t happy. In fact, he felt hollow, dissatisfied, and anxious. Thankfully, he discovered Epicurus.In this pioneering thinker, Dimitriadis found a teacher whose ideas seemed specifically designed to cure our uniquely modern ache. Indeed, few classical philosophers remain as relevant and practical today; Epicurus’ worldview is rooted in our senses, feelings, and natural dispositions. Sweeping aside our modern assumption that the acquisition of happiness is necessarily painful and regimented—think of our love for strict workouts, diets, hard work, and other ascetic practices—Epicurus declared that finding happiness is easy: we simply need to embrace our natural desires. With wit, rigor, and in simple, easy-to-understand language, Epicurus and the Pleasant Life joyfully brings Epicurus singing into the twenty-first century. Leading the reader through the worlds of philosophy, religion, neuroscience, psychology, and astrophysics, Dimitriadis and Epicurus present a great, self-affirming truth: that you too can lead a blissfully happy life, if you only learn how to reach out and take it.Based on a worldview rooted in the reality of senses, feelings, natural dispositions, life experiences, and perceptions, this philosophy teaches us to trust our feelings, and use logic to make decisions only after we acknowledge our natural desires. That way, we will find our place in the natural world, and learn to live simply and joyfully in the company of good friends.Join the author Haris Dimitriadis on a journey through the history of philosophical and religious thought, as well as an in-depth look at the modern neuroscience, psychology, and astrophysics, and discover why the ancient Epicurean Philosophy of Nature matters as much today as it did two thousand and three hundred years ago! The answers you will find may surprise you, for you will learn, beyond any doubt, that you, too, hold the power of self-transformation, and a blissfully happy life.

Review

BOOK REVIEWEPICURUS AND THE PLEASANT LIFE: A Philosophy of Nature

Reviewed by Kirkus

“An engaging, admirably earnest bid to help others to live a more fulfilling life via a deeper understanding of themselves and others.”… “Scrupulously researched, far reaching…”…”Dimitriadis writes with open-hearted enthusiasm for his subject…”

The teachings of Epicurus are explored and applied to contemporary life in this debut philosophical study-cum-self-help guide by Dimitriadis.

The intention of this 500-page study is to “reintroduce pleasure” as an “innate guide to living a healthy and happy life. “Throughout most of his adult life, Dimitriadis admits that he was a corporate climber. In his 50s, he came to the abrupt realization that he no longer recognized himself–he was “distressed, anxious, asking for more and more.” He turned to the works of the great philosophers but found, frustratingly, that their teachings had “no practical application” in his life.

He finally stumbled across a letter written by Epicurus–it would prove to be life-changing. His fascination ignited,

Dimitriadis spent 12 years fervently researching the ancient Greek philosopher’s teachings, a journey that he believes radically improved his worldview. In this detailed study, the author proposes that contemporary society is characterized by a fear of pleasure. Dimitriadis suggests that all of the “goods” required for happiness are present in the natural world yet regularly overlooked or unappreciated. He sets about identifying and investigating various forms of natural pleasure, such as friendship, food, and knowledge–all critical to Epicurean thinking. His belief is that each individual must choo