Can You Suggest A Reading List For Learning About Epicurus?
This is a question that comes up frequently. Aside from the core ancient texts as discussed below, the majority of participants at EpicureanFriends will point you to two modern books of special significance:
- The most sweeping, thorough, and innovative "textbook" of Epicurean philosophy available is Norman DeWitt's "Epicurus and His Philosophy." No other book presents the full sweep and detail of the philosophy as well as this one. The opening chapter of DeWitt's book can be read for free here, and an article ("Philosophy For The Millions") summarizing DeWitt's perspective is here.
- The most current and best general introduction to Epicurean ethics is Dr. Emily Austin's "Living For Pleasure." This is a very readable introduction to Epicurean ideas on how to live that is consistent with the general approach here at EpicureanFriends. Our 2023 interview with Dr. Austin on the Lucretius Today podcast is a good introduction to her book.
The full list we recommend for students of Epicurus is as follows:
- "Epicurus and His Philosophy" by Norman DeWitt
- "Living For Pleasure" by Emily Austin
- The Biography of Epicurus by Diogenes Laertius. This includes the surviving letters of Epicurus, including those to Herodotus, Pythocles, and Menoeceus.
- "On The Nature of Things" - by Lucretius (a poetic abridgement of Epicurus' "On Nature")
- "Epicurus on Pleasure" - An article by Boris Nikolsky
- The chapters on Epicurus in Gosling and Taylor's "The Greeks On Pleasure."
- Cicero's "On Ends" - Torquatus Section
- Cicero's "On The Nature of the Gods" - Velleius Section
- The Inscription of Diogenes of Oinoanda - Martin Ferguson Smith translation
- A Few Days In Athens" - Frances Wright - with the criticisms referenced here.
- Lucian of Samosata - Lucian mentions Epicurus in a number of articles, but among the best are Alexander the Oracle-Monger, Hermotimus, and others listed here.
- Philodemus "On Methods of Inference" (De Lacy version, including his appendix on the history of the Epicurean Canon)
- Lucretius and the Transformation of Greek Wisdom by David Sedley, an in depth exploration of how Lucretius interpreted Epicurus
- The Sculpted Word by Bernard Frischer, a study of Epicurean bronzes and marbles from the ancient world
- Consider also the following essays/lectures/letters:
- The Letter of Cosma Raimondi
- Norman DeWitt's "Philosophy For The Millions"
- John Tyndall's Belfast Address
- An essay on Lucretius from George Santayana's Three Philosophical Poets
- Prof. Ian Johnston's Lecture on Lucretius
- Lucy Hutchinson's Letter to the Earl of Anglesey, disavowing her very early translation of Lucretius
Here is a "library" page at NewEpicurean.com with links to where many additional translations are available for free on the internet.
Discussion of this FAQ is here.
Other links of relevance to this topic:
Discussion of this FAQ entry at EpicureanFriends.com is here.