In this brief and eloquent book, John Sellars takes us through the basic arguments of Epicureanism with wonderful clarity, distilling the essence of an ancient philosophy that speaks with increasing urgency to our troubled times. It is an exemplary guide, and I recommend it enthusiastically to readers of all ages and all walks of life. (David Konstan, Professor of Classics, New York University)
Not only an excellent introduction to the history of Epicurean philosophy, but also a helpful guide to facing the manifold anxieties of modern life. (The Idler)
Sellars expertly expounds Epicurean ideas ... and he knows the Greek and Latin Epicurean texts thoroughly (The Guardian)
Lucid and scholarly (The Telegraph)
From the publisher's website:
What do we really need in order to live a happy life? Over two thousand years ago the Greek philosopher Epicurus offers a seemingly simple answer: pleasure. All we really want is pleasure.
Today we tend to associate the word 'Epicurean' with the enjoyment of fine food and wine and decadent self-indulgence. But, as philosopher John Sellars shows, these things are a world away from the vision of a pleasant life developed by Epicurus and his followers who were more concerned with mental pleasures and avoiding pain. Their goal, in short, was a life of tranquillity.
In vivid, elegant prose, Sellars walks us through the history of Epicureanism from a private garden on the edge of ancient Athens to the streets of ancient Rome, to explore a completely different way of thinking about the pleasures of friendship, our place in the world and the meaning of death. Inspiring and illuminating, The Fourfold Remedy draws on ancient wisdom that feels remarkably relevant today, offering a new way of thinking about what truly matters in our lives.
