Hedonism
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Beginning readers interested in classical philosophy but intimidated by difficult original texts
- Modern people feeling anxious in a fast-paced life and seeking inner peace
- Thinkers who want to understand how philosophy can concretely guide life practice
- Learners exploring in depth the nature of "happiness" and "pleasure"
Not a good fit for
- Academic researchers seeking precise textual analysis of Epicurus's Greek originals
- Readers expecting fierce philosophical debate or systematic, voluminous monographs
Reading tips
- Read alongside works of the Stoics (such as Seneca and Marcus Aurelius) to understand different paths to happiness in Greco-Roman philosophy.
- While reading, reflect on your own life: which desires are "natural and necessary," and which are "groundless"? Try practicing the book's suggestions.
- Pay attention to the book's discussion of "friendship" and "community," a crucial social dimension of Epicurean pleasure philosophy that is often overlooked.
About the publisher
Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House is a Chinese publisher specializing in literary publishing. Judging from the 808 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover world classics, foreign literature, social novels, folk literature and classic works, as well as modern and contemporary literature and prose. Representative titles include foreign literary translations such as Anna Karenina, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, In Praise of Shadows and The Complete Tragedies and Comedies of Shakespeare, alongside classic works by Lao She and Lu Xun such as Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse and Wandering. Its authors and translators include Leo Tolstoy, Cao Ying, Lao She, Yukio Mishima, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and Zhu Shenghao. The press emphasizes the translation and introduction of classic texts and the compilation of native literary works, giving equal weight to Chinese and foreign literature. Owing to limited public information, its specific series and editorial policies are not elaborated here.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 卷一 快乐是生活的终极目标
- 致美诺西斯的信
- 主要学说
- 梵蒂冈箴言录
- 卷二 快乐是理性思考的结果
- 致希罗多德的信
- 致皮托克勒的信
- 伊壁鸠鲁：花园中的哲人
FAQ
Is this book written by Epicurus?
Is Epicurus's "hedonism" the same as indulgence?
Is this book suitable for readers with no philosophical background at all?
Comments
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About the author
Epicurus is an influential philosopher in the history of Western philosophy, though public information about his life and nationality is limited, and no conjecture is made here. The library holds one work by him, titled Hedonism, commonly classified under Western philosophy. This work shows that his central concern was not indulgence in pleasure but rather the use of pleasure as a thread for thinking about life and ethical questions, in a style that tends toward argument and analysis, concise and to the point. Because sources are limited, his personal history and intellectual lineage cannot be described in detail, but it is clear that his thought reached Chinese readers through works such as this and continues to provoke discussion within the Western philosophical tradition. For readers seeking to understand ancient ethical reflection, this work offers a direct point of entry and serves as a basic text in its category.
