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Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life (Guides to the Good Life)

by Emily A. Austin (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 87 ratings
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If we all want happiness and pleasure so much, then why are we so bad at getting it?

Pleasure feels amazing! Anxiety, however, does not. The Ancient Greek Philosopher Epicurus rolled these two strikingly intuitive claims into a simple formula for happiness and well-being--pursue pleasure without causing yourself anxiety. But wait, is that even possible? Can humans achieve lasting pleasure without suffering anxiety about failure and loss? Epicurus thinks we can, at least once we learn to pursue pleasure thoughtfully.

In Living for Pleasure, philosopher Emily Austin offers a lively, jargon-free tour of Epicurean strategies for diminishing anxiety, achieving satisfaction, and relishing joys. Epicurean science was famously far ahead of its time, and Austin shows that so was its ethics and psychology. Epicureanism can help us make and keep good friends, prepare for suffering, combat imposter syndrome, build trust, recognize personal limitations, value truth, cultivate healthy attitudes towards money and success, manage political anxiety, develop gratitude, savor food, and face death.

Readers will walk away knowing more about an important school of philosophy, but moreover understanding how to get what they want in life--happiness--without the anxiety of striving for it.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0197558321
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0197558324
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2022
  5. Part of series
    Guides to the Good Life Series
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    7.24 x 1.21 x 5.37 inches
  8. Print length
    320 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The clarity and concision of Austin's prose means that she covers many more of the details of Epicurean thought in her 24 short chapters. Anyone seduced by the recent fashion for Stoicism should read her book to see why their biggest contemporary rival offers a better model for living." -- Julian Baggini, The Guardian

"Austin shows us, vividly and directly, how Epicurean ideas can apply to areas of everyday life and how they can help us uncover―and deal with―deep-seated problems that stand in the way of living a balanced, thoughtful, and enjoyable life. She does a stellar job of showing us, incisively and sympathetically, that Epicurus gives us a philosophy to live by and that we can actually live by it." -- Julia Annas, Regents Professor Emerita, University of Arizona

"Austin provides an accessible and intellectually rigorous overview of Epicureanism that remains refreshingly forthright about the limits of Epicurus's advice and keeps an appropriately light tone... The result is an excellent primer on Epicureanism." -- Publishers Weekly

"Simply the best guide to living as an Epicurean. Austin's discussion is grounded in a thorough understanding of Epicurean philosophy, but it's written in a humorous and accessible style, and she does an outstanding job of applying Epicureanism to the problems facing people today." -- Timothy S. O'Keefe, author of Epicureanism

"Wise, witty, and above all a pleasure to read, Austin's study of Epicureanism is excellent medicine for the many illnesses and anxieties of the 21st century. Read it and be refreshed." -- Clancy Martin, Professor of Philosophy, University of Missouri-Kansas City

"Living for Pleasure is a terrific introduction to Epicureanism, especially its practical side. If offers a clear and accessible guide through some difficult ideas, all with a deft personal touch and a convincing case for the value of this philosophy for us today. Who knew Epicurus could help us navigate social media?" -- Richard Bett, author of How to Keep an Open Mind: An Ancient Guide to Thinking Like a Skeptic

"Examining the tenets of Epicureanism in fine detail, Austin provides the audience with her insightful interpretations throughout and offers a kindred spirit to all readers who seek the finer things in life." -- Booklist

"Of particular note are the two chapters exploring the enigmatic Epicurean dictum to live quietly or live unnoticed...In today's world the advice is both refreshing and reassuring." -- Alex Moran, TLS

"Philosophy has traditionally concerned itself with two main questions. What is the world like? And how ought we to live in it?...Contemporary philosophy tends not to concern itself with this second question. This is unfortunate, especially because philosophy is meant to be the very discipline that acquires wisdom. That said, the recent Guides to the Good Life series, edited by Stephen Grimm, stands as a welcome corrective. Each book is written by an expert in the field and explores the question of how to live from a unique philosophical perspective, in an accessible register. The series cannot be praised too highly..." -- TLS

"This is an extraordinary, fascinating, and entertainingly written book. Austin (Wake Forest Univ.) provides a comprehensive scholarly analysis of the philosophy of Epicurus (341-270 BCE), concentrating on the Epicurean mantra that human happiness is to be found in the experience of pleasure, thoughtfully understood as minimizing anxieties and pursuing the aspects of life that have true and perpetual meaning. Austin's approach is unique in that she interweaves this Epicurean philosophy into contemporary and popular approaches (some of them misleading) to the enrichment of everyday life. Released in the 'Guides to the Good Life' series, this is a work of applied philosophy. Notes and references are excellent...Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers." -- Choice

"This is an extraordinary, fascinating, and entertainingly written book... Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers." -- Choice

About the Author

Emily A. Austin is Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University. She earned her Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (November 1, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0197558321
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0197558324
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.24 x 1.21 x 5.37 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 87 ratings

About the author

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Emily A. Austin

Emily A. Austin

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Emily A. Austin is Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Her scholarly work focuses on Ancient Greek theories of complex emotions, including the fear of death, grief, patriotism, and comedic malice. Austin grew up in Little Rock, AR, and graduated from Hendrix College. She earned her doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
87 global ratings
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Such an absolutely beautiful book I won on Goodreads. I’m very thankful to have this in my Library && I am at Peace.
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Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding overview of Epicurean philosophy!
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is the book about Epicurus I've been looking for for years.

By that, I mean, it is an overview of Epicurean philosophy for the modern lay reader, written by an academic author who is actually sympathetic to Epicurus! And writes well. And is funny.

OTOH, it is (intentionally) light on the history of Epicureanism, and it only compares it with Stoicism. That is not a criticism, but good to know in case you're looking for those things.

The jabs at the Stoics are fantastic too - the most entertaining part of the book for me.

If I may be allowed one criticism, it's that the author's political views come through a little more than seems necessary in a book about an ancient Greek philosophy. It's unfortunate, because some people might be turned off to Epicurus because they take offense at an anecdote, when any number of equally useful and less controversial examples from 2000 years of history could have been used instead.

However, that is a relatively minor complaint. This is an excellent book that I would highly recommend for anyone interested in what it would actually mean to live like an Epicurean.
8 people found this helpful
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Jeffrey R. Myers
5.0 out of 5 stars Very thoughtful and helpful
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
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I wish Emily A. Austin was my friend. This is a very readable and practical book about a philosophy that has more to recommend it than many think. Highest recommendation!
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Science Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Greek philosophy a page turner?? Yep
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2023
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I was hoping for some guidance for a life that is (when looked at without delusion) sometimes rewarding yet marked with many moments ranging from meh to deep distress and which is, most importantly, temporary. The author delivers and then some, by explaining Epicurean philosophy via 21st century examples, using her very personal style and dry wit. She makes Epicurus and his followers seem like a beacon of common sense, while still exploring a few areas where their ideas are less than a good fit for our times. All in all, it's a highly relevant read. I hope an audiobook is done of this, because it would be a nice way to absorb this helpful info even deeper. Well done!
One person found this helpful
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ZMan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book! Insightful! Revealing! Intellectually pleasing!
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2023
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Professor Austin's book is one of my favorite reads over the past few years.
The book presents an outstanding overview and objective interpretation of the fascinating Epicurean school of thinking.
As an avid reader, I seek new and "innovative" intellectual challenges, which are well grounded and not boringly abstract.
While enjoying philosophical studies, I am averse to authors who weave their own theories and biased interpretations of ancient thinking. Yet, Professor Austin a true common sense approach to this highly interesting and less studied Epicurean system.

You did a phenomenal job simplifying some of the challenges of understanding ancient writings, their interpretation, and
application to modern day living.
I enjoyed the prose with modern day illustrations and clarity.
Thank you for a compelling objective journey into this special brand of philosophical thinking.
Highly recommended! Absolutely worth the read.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Best introduction to Epicurus available in English
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2022
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This is the book I wish I'd had when I discovered Epicurus. The author is quite knowledgeable about and sympathetic to the philosophy of Epicurus and writes in a style very accessible to the layman. Better still, the book is a thorough and practical overview of Epicurean ethics, along with a bit of the physics. Before this book was published, most of the available books were either written by lay people and missing some key concepts or written by academics and not particularly well organized as an overview. For those interested there are plenty of footnotes to the pertinent texts and related books and articles.

I particularly enjoyed the discussion of the desires and of pleasure. These topics are often misunderstood in such a way that they either make Epicurus seem like a raging hedonist or an ascetic, but they are well presented here in a way that not only makes them understandable, but practical.

I've been studying Epicurus for a few years, and the manner in which the ideas are presented (particularly the discussion of gratitude) connected some of the dots for me in a way that I'm able to put to use improving my well-being significantly. Which, after all, is the point of Hellenistic philosophy!
4 people found this helpful
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David Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars I Wish There Were More Like This
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
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Hands down, the best written introduction to a philosophy that doesn't get much shelf life- at least not as much as the muscular Stoics- and as the author demonstrates, not too many people understand Epicureanism. It's not what you're lead to think it is and she makes you question your own approach to life, which is precisely what this type of book should do. Highly recommended.
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Mark T. Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book!
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2023
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Wonderful introduction to Epicurus with many worldly wise insights. Very enjoyable and useful. Now I have to go back and look at what Cicero said about Master E. Thanks so much!
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R. Bowman
2.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
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The inclusion of this in the 'Guides to a Good Life' series should have been a tip off that it would be an attempt to recast Epicurus as some sort of a self-help guru. It might have worked better if the author did not constantly interject her views and politics. Hint: in 10 years covid will be a very dim memory. Tie your narrative to a fleeting event and don't expect it to be relevant. It may not be very Epicurean either but I won't debate that.

From the technical viewpoint one thing that makes Epicurus interesting was his materialism and rejection of the Platonic realism popular in his day that has went on to affect (infect) Western thought. There is nothing but atoms and the void; no Forms or other spooks. As a side note Epicurus' treatment of gods has puzzled me. He asserts they have no interaction with the course of life but to be consistent with materialism they must have some sort of physical existence on a faraway planet. My feeling is he was hedging his bets to avoid being canceled, so to speak. Anyway, Epicurean physics gets a very brief mention in chapter 19 rather than being discussed as the basis of his thought.

If you want a breezy, informal version of Epicurus with a good deal of anecdotal pontification, this is your book. The best it has to offer is references to the extant literature so you can go find the rel Epicurus on your own.
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Top reviews from other countries

Melina
1.0 out of 5 stars Much bla about little epicureansim
Reviewed in Germany on March 31, 2024
Verified Purchase
There is maybe one sentence about the actual philosophy of Epicurus or information on Epicur on the first 3-5 pages, the rest is palaver.
Maybe more useful material to read:
- Principal doctrines
- Letter to Menoeceus
- ...
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