Hedonism


Epicureanism, Cyrenaics, Skepticism, Utilitarianism, Pragmatism, Individualism
Pleasures, Happiness, Enlightened Self Interest, Mutual Enjoyment, Sensuality, Peace
 

Bibliography     Quotations     Chronology     Links     Utilitarianism  


Research by Michael P. Garofalo
Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California


Epicureanism     Virtue Ethics     How to Live a Good Life     An Old Philosopher's Notebooks    

Pleasures     Happiness     Tranquility     Equanimity     Don't Be Misled     Fiction  

Key Epicurean and Hedonistic Ideas     Stoicism     Cyrenaics     Main Index            

Touching     Seeing     Hearing     Smelling    Tasting    Senses     Hands     Somaesthetics

Gardening     Taijiquan     Qigong     Hatha Yoga     Walking    
 

Cloud Hands Blog    

 

A Hypertext Notebook by Mike Garofalo Containing a Reading Guide, Notes, Quotations, Bibliography, Resources,
Contextual Information, Quotations, Philosophy, Rambling, Reconnoitering, Research, and Miscellanies. 

 

 

 

 

Epicurus, 341-270 BCE 
The Art of Happiness

 

 

 

Hedonism, Epicureanism, Cyrenaics, Utilitarianism, Skeptics
Pleasures, Happiness, Contentment, Enlightened Self-Interest, Privacy, Sensuality, Peace, Mutual Enjoyment

Bibliography, Resources, Links

 

I favor ethical and lifestyle philosophies from authors who emphasize viewpoints such as Epicureanism, hedonism, utilitarianism, liberalism, pragmatism, democracy, skepticism, practicality, empiricism, secularism, reasoning, liberty, humanism, Enlightenment, materialism, science, etc.  I believe that most Hedonists and Epicureans support these viewpoints.  Most hedonists are non-religious, anti-religious, or atheists, including myself.  If you favor theocracy, conservatism, religious codes of conduct, revelation, absolutism, authoritarian societies, clerics, asceticism, supernaturalism, body hating, believing, or Platonic-Christian idealism, then you will not find much material of interest to you on this webpage. 

In the summer of 2016, I plan to read many of these books, research the topic, take notes, and publish my research into Hedonism and Epicureanism. 

There are many books on this webpage that I am currently reading, studying, or have read that are in my home library in Red Bluff, California. 
Books in my home library at the Valley Spirit Center are coded "VSCL." 

I can only use the English language in my philosophical studies.  Therefore, there are few references below to books and articles in languages other than English.  Many of the books listed below, written by serious scholars, researchers, and academics, include excellent bibliographies of non-English books and articles.  We all need to thank those translators who have helped to reveal to us the thoughts of non-English writers of the past and present.  You can read this document in many languages thanks to the Google Translator drop down menu. 

If you click on any underlined book title or any book image, the embedded link will take you to Amazon for purchasing that book.  Please purchase some of these fine books. 

Generally, this bibliography and links are arranged by the titles of the books or webpages; and sometimes around themes or persons. 
To search by author or topics, press the Ctrl+F keys to open the search box in your favorite web browser. 

 

 

A


Advice from Wise Persons: How to Live a Good Life.  Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo. 


Aesthetic Movement in Art and Literature 


Aging Well


Agnosticism, Religious Doubts, Atheism, Theological Fictions.  Notes, recommended reading, and personal opinions and experiences of Mike Garofalo. 


Anarchy, State and Utopia.  By Robert Nozick.  Basic Books, 1974, 2nd Edition, 2013.  Index, bibliography, notes, 400 pages.  ISBN: 978-0465051007.  "Translated into 100 languages, winner of the National Book Award, and named one of the 100 Most Influential Books since World War II by the Times Literary SupplementAnarchy, State and Utopia remains one of the most theoretically trenchant and philosophically rich defenses of economic liberalism to date, as well as a foundational text in classical libertarian thought."  Professor Nozick argues for the primacy of the individual, individual rights and liberties, acceptance of inequality, anti-utilitarianism, restriction of intrusion by the State, and a minimalist government (i.e., military, police, and courts).  Those who support the Tea Party agenda would agree with many of Nozick's arguments.  VSCL. 


Ancient Greek Philosophy


Ancient Scepticism.  By Harald Thorsrud.  Berkeley, University of California Press, 2009.  Index, notes, references, bibliography, sources, 264 pages.  Ancient Philosophy Series, Book 5.  ISBN: 9780520260269.  VSCL. 


Appetites for Thought: Philosophers and Food.  By Michel Onfray.  Translated by Stephen Meucke and Donald Barry.  Reaktion Books, 2015.  128 pages.  ISBN: 9781780234458. 


Appreciation, Thankfulness, Cheerfulness, Gratitude   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Aristippus of Cyrene (435 BCE – 356 BCE) was the founder of the Cyrenaic school of Philosophy.  The school was was located in the ancient Greco-Roman city of Cyrene; with the ruins of this ancient city lying in a lush valley in present day Libya. 'Aristippus was a pupil of Socrates, but adopted a very different philosophical outlook, teaching that the goal of life was to seek pleasure by adapting circumstances to oneself and by maintaining proper control over both adversity and prosperity.  Among his pupils was his daughter Arete.' ....  Cyrene lies in a lush valley in the Jebel Akhdar uplands in Libya. The city was named after a spring, Kyre, which the Greeks consecrated to Apollo. It was also the seat of the Cyrenaics, a famous school of philosophy in the 3rd century BC, founded by Aristippus, a disciple of Socrates. It was then nicknamed the "Athens of Africa." ' 


Aristippus of Cyrene.  By Joshua J. Mark. 


Aristippus of Cyrene.  Diogenes Laërtius, Life of Aristippus, translated by Robert Drew Hicks (1925).


Aristotle (384–322 BCE)   Information on Aristotle:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.  


Aristotle.  The Basic Works of Aristotle.  Edited with an Introduction by Richard McKeon.  New York, Random House, 1941.  1487 pages.  VSCL. 


Art and Experience in Classical Greece  By J. J. Pollitt.  Cambridge University Press, 1972, 1999.  Index, bibliography, 208 pages.  ISBN: 0521096626.  VSCL. 


The Art of Happiness.  By Epicurus.  Translation, introduction, and commentary by George K. Strodach.  A foreword by Daniel Klein,  Penguin Classics, Reissue edition, 2012.  272 pages.  ISBN:  978-0143107217.  "The teachings of Epicurus—about life and death, religion and science, physical sensation, happiness, morality, and friendship—attracted legions of adherents throughout the ancient Mediterranean world and deeply influenced later European thought. Though Epicurus faced hostile opposition for centuries after his death, he counts among his many admirers Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Jefferson, Karl Marx, and Isaac Newton. This volume includes all of his extant writings—his letters, doctrines, and Vatican sayings—alongside parallel passages from the greatest exponent of his philosophy, Lucretius, extracts from Diogenes Laertius' Life of Epicurus, a lucid introductory essay about Epicurean philosophy, and a foreword by Daniel Klein, author of Travels with Epicurus."   VSCL. 


Art in the Hellenistic Age   By Jerome J. Pollitt. Cambridge University Press, 1986.  Index, notes, bibliography, 329 pages.  ISBN: 0521276721.  VSCL. 


Ataraxia   A lucid state of robust tranquility.  A calm and tranquil state of mind cultivated by the Skeptics and Stoics. 


Atheism   Notes, recommended reading, and personal opinions and experiences of Mike Garofalo. 


Atheist Manifesto: The Case Against Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.  By Michel Onfray.  Translated from the French by Jeremy Leggatt.  New York Arcade Publishing, 2005, 2011.  ISBN: 10161145008X.  Annotated bibliography, 246 pages.  A lucid, strong, well reasoned, insightful, and stylish presentation.  Excellent explication of the French and European writing on atheism, anti-clericalism, irreligion, deconstruction of religions, and anti-fascism.  VSCL.


Atoms, Pneuma, and Tranquillity: Epicurean and Stoic Themes in European Thought.  Edited by Margaret J. Osler.   Cambridge University Press, Reissue Edition, 2005.  320 pages.  ISBN: 978-0521018463.  'This volume examines the influence that Epicureanism and Stoicism, two philosophies of nature and human nature articulated during classical times, exerted on the development of European thought to the Enlightenment. Their influence in the areas of literature, philosophy, theology, and science are considered.'


Aurelius, MarcusMarcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180 AD) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. 'He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169. He was the last of the Five Good Emperors, and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers.  During his reign, the Empire defeated a revitalized Parthian Empire in the East: Aurelius' general Avidius Cassius sacked the capital Ctesiphon in 164. In central Europe, Aurelius fought the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians with success during the Marcomannic Wars, although the threat of the Germanic tribes began to represent a troubling reality for the Empire. A revolt in the East led by Avidius Cassius failed to gain momentum and was suppressed immediately.  Marcus Aurelius' Stoic tome Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to a philosophy of service and duty, describing how to find and preserve equanimity in the midst of conflict by following nature as a source of guidance and inspiration."


Aurelius, Marcus (121-180 CE)   Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyWikipedia EncyclopediaInternet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Awaken the Giant Within.  By Anthony Robbins.  Free Press, 1992.  Index, 544 pages.  ISBN: 98-0671791544.  VSCL. 

 

 

B


Beauty, Loveliness, Grace, Art, Style   Quotations, sayings, poems, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Bentham, Jeremy (1748-1832)  Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Wikipedia Encyclopedia Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Bentham, Jeremy, 15 February 1748 - 6 June 1832, was a British philosopher, jurist, and social reformer.  "He is regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism.  He strongly endorsed acting on the principle that "it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong."  He became a leading theorist in Anglo-American philosophy of law, and a political radical whose ideas influenced the development of welfarism.  He advocated individual and economic freedom, the separation of church and state, freedom of expression, equal rights for women, the right to divorce, and the decriminalising of homosexual acts.  He called for the abolition of slavery, the abolition of the death penalty, and the abolition of physical punishment, including that of children.  He has also become known in recent years as an early advocate of animal rights.  Though strongly in favour of the extension of individual legal rights, he opposed the idea of natural law and natural rights, calling them "nonsense upon stilts".  Bentham's students included his secretary and collaborator James Mill, the latter's son, John Stuart Mill, the legal philosopher John Austin, as well as Robert Owen, one of the founders of utopian socialism." - Wikipedia


Bentham, Jeremy   Principles of Morals and Legislation,  1789. 


Behtham Project, UCL


The Birth of Hedonism: The Cyrenaic Philosophers and Pleasure as a Way of Life.  By Kurt Lampe.  Princeton University Press, 2015.  Index, bibliography, notes, references, 277 pages.   ISBN: 978-0691161136.  VSCL. 


The Birth of Pleasure.  By Carol Gilligan.  Vintage, Reprint edition, 2003.  272 pages.  A discussion of love.  ISBN: 9780679759430. 


The Blackwell Guide to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics.  Edited with an introduction by Richard Kraut.  Wiley-Blackwell, 2006 pages.  ISBN: 978-1405120210. 


Bohemian Lifestyle


Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge  By Laren Stover.  New York, Bulfinch Press, 2004.  271 pages.  ISBN: 9780821228906.  A lighthearted and free flowing discussion of the five variations of Bohemians (Nouveau, Gypsy, Beat, Zen and Dandy) and of Bohemian philosophy generally.  VSCL. 


Broadmindedness, Openess.  Quotations, Sayings, Notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.

 

 

Advice     Beauty     Bibliography     Blog     Body-Mind     Broad Minded     Cheerfulness       

Contemplation     Desires     Dharmapada Sutra     Education     Epicureanism     Equanimity     Ethics

Feeling     Fitness     Five Senses     Friendship     Gardening     Generosity     Good Life 

Happiness     Hedonism    Hospitality     Independence     Index     Kindness    Learning     Lifestyle     Links    

Meditation     Memory     Mindfulness     Moderation     Neo-Paganism     Open Minded     Paramitas    

Patience     Philosophy     Play     Pleasures     Qigong     Reading     Secular     Self-Reliance    

Sensory Pleasures     Simplicity     Solitude    Somaesthetics     Spirituality     Stoicism    Taijiquan    

Tao Te Ching     Thinking     Tolerance     Touching     Tranquility    Vigor     Virtues     Vision     Vitality    

Walking     Willpower     Wisdom     Wonder     Work     Yoga     Zen Precepts      

 

 

C


Calmness, Equanimity, Impartiality, Poise, Fearlessness   Quotations, Sayings, Poems, Notes.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Skepticism.  Edited by Richard Bett.  Cambridge University Press, 2010.  392 pages. ISBN: 978-0521697545. 


The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle.  Edited by Johathan Barnes.  Cambridge University Press, 1995.  434 pages.  ISBN: 978-0521422949


The Cambridge Companion to Epicureanism.  By James Warren.  Cambridge University Press, 2009.  356 pages.  Cambridge Companions to Philosophy.  ISBN: 978-0521695305. 


Caring, Kindness, Good Will, Compassion   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Carnal Alchemy, Sexual Magick


Carnal Philosophy: Ethics, Aesthetics, and Erotics  By Julien Offray de La Mettrie.  Translated from the French by Kirk Watson.  Amazon Digital, 2015.  32 pages.  ASIN: B014RGHWZI.  Kindle Format.  VSCL. 

 

 

Charvaka Lokayatika School


The Materialism of the Charvaka Lokayatika School.    By B. Brodov.  Brihaspati
(circa 600 BCE) is believed to be the founder of the Charvaka Lokayatika School and the author of its Sutras. The Charvakas Lokayatikas are materialistic and hedonistic philosophers, definitely against religious superstitions and practices that dupe the poor.  Members of the Brahmin priestly class tried to suppress this school and destroy their literature. 

Charvaka (Cārvāka), "originally known as Lokāyata and Bhaspatya, is the ancient school of Indian materialism.  Charvaka holds direct perceptionempiricism, and conditional inference as proper sources of knowledge, embraces philosophical skepticism and rejects VedasVedic ritualism and supernaturalism Ajita Kesakambali is credited as the forerunner of the Charvakas, while Brihaspati (circa 600 BCE) is usually referred to as the founder of Charvaka or Lokāyata philosophy.  Much of the primary literature of Charvaka, the Barhaspatya sutras (ca. 600 BCE), are missing or lost.  Its teachings have been compiled from historic secondary literature such as those found in the shastrassutras and the Indian epic poetry as well as in the dialogues of Gautama Buddha and from Jain literature.  One of the widely studied principles of Charvaka philosophy was its rejection of inference as a means to establish valid, universal knowledge, and metaphysical truths.  In other words, the Charvaka epistemology states that whenever one infers a truth from a set of observations or truths, one must acknowledge doubt; inferred knowledge is conditional.  Charvaka is categorized as a heterodox school of Indian philosophy.  It is considered an example of atheistic schools in the Hindu tradition.  Charvaka believed that there was nothing wrong with sensual pleasure. Since it is impossible to have pleasure without pain, Charvaka thought that wisdom lay in enjoying pleasure and avoiding pain as far as possible.  Unlike many of the Indian philosophies of the time, Charvaka did not believe in austerities or rejecting pleasure out of fear of pain and held such reasoning to be foolish.  The Sarvasiddhanta Samgraha states the Charvaka position on pleasure and hedonism as follows, "The enjoyment of heaven lies in eating delicious food, keeping company of young women, using fine clothes, perfumes, garlands, sandal paste... while moksha is death which is cessation of life-breath... the wise therefore ought not to take pains on account of moksha.  A fool wears himself out by penances and fasts.  Chastity and other such ordinances are laid down by clever weaklings."— Sarvasiddhanta Samgraha, Verses 9-12[54]."  Information from the Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Brihaspati  (600 BCE)  Alleged founder of Charvaka Lokayatika School in India.  Materialist, atheist, anti-religious, hedonist, skeptic. 

 

Cheerfulness, Appreciation, Thankfulness, Gratitude   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Cloud Hands Blog.  By Michael P. Garofalo.  Over 2,400 indexed posts on well being, philosophy, somaesthetics, taijiquan, qigong, walking, gardening, yoga, Taoism, hedonism, and spirituality.  Over 700,000 page views as of 6/1/2016.  


The Compass of Pleasure: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good.  By David J. Linden.  Penguin Books, Reprint Edition 2012.  240 pages.  ISBN: 9780143120759. 


The Conquest of Happiness   By Bertrand Russell.  Introduction by Daniel Dennett.  Liveright, 1930, 2013.  224 pages.  ISBN: 9780871406736.  VSCL. 


Culture of the Slow: Social Deceleration in an Accelerated World.  Edited by N. Osbaldiston.  Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.  Consumption and Public Life Series.  195 pages.  ISBN: 978-0230299764. 


Contemplation Pleasures


Cynicism.  Wikipedia


The Cynic Philosophers: From Diogenes to Julian.  Translated with an introduction by Robert Dobbin.  New York, Penguin Classics, Reprint 2013.  Notes, glossary, 352 pages.  ISBN: 978-0141192222.  VSCL. 


 

Cyrenaics


The Cyrenaics  By Ugo Zilioli.  Routledge, 2014.  240 pages.  ISBN: 9781844657636.  


Cyrenaics  Aristippus and the Pursuit of Pleasure 


Cyrenaics   Aristippus of Cyrene (435 BCE – 356 BCE) was the founder of the Cyrenaic school of Philosophy.  The school was was located in the ancient Greco-Roman city of Cyrene; with the ruins of this ancient city lying in a lush valley in present day Libya. 'Aristippus was a pupil of Socrates, but adopted a very different philosophical outlook, teaching that the goal of life was to seek pleasure by adapting circumstances to oneself and by maintaining proper control over both adversity and prosperity.  Among his pupils was his daughter Arete.' ....  Cyrene lies in a lush valley in the Jebel Akhdar uplands in Libya. The city was named after a spring, Kyre, which the Greeks consecrated to Apollo. It was also the seat of the Cyrenaics, a famous school of philosophy in the 3rd century BC, founded by Aristippus, a disciple of Socrates. It was then nicknamed the "Athens of Africa." ' 


Cyrenaics - The Birth of Hedonism: The Cyrenaic Philosophers and Pleasure as a Way of Life.  By Kurt Lampe.  Princeton University Press, 2014.  304 pages.  ISBN: 978-0691161136. 


Cyrenaics Handbook  Compiled, annotated and edited by Frank Redmond.  The Cyrenaic School was founded by Aristippus of Cyrene (435 BCE - 356 BCE).  Menin Web and Print Publishing, 2012, 5th Edition.  92 pages.  ASIN: B009XZ9T3M.  Cyrene was a Greco-Roman settlement in North Africa, in current day Libya.  'This handbook contains the lives, writings, and doctrines of the Cyrenaic school by compiling together the primary sources of the material. It is not a summary or analysis of the Cyrenaic school.  Rather it provides all of the (open and available) references to the Cyrenaic school within the ancient texts. Its main function is to put together in one place all of the disparate references spread across the Internet and libraries into one book.  It is designed for the scholar and for the student.  The scholar can use this resource to save time by having everything ready in one place.  All references are taken from copyright-expired texts or open source (free) texts from places like Gutenberg and Archive.org.'  VSCL. 


The Cyrenaics on Pleasure, Happines, and Future Concern.   By Tim O'Keefe. 


Cyrenaics - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy 


Cyrenaics - Wikipedia   


Cyrenaics Resources   By Lucian of Samosata Wiki.  Many ancient texts cited. 


Cyrenaics Resouces

 

 

 

D


Daodejing by Laozi 


Decadent Movemen in Art and Literature  


In Defence of Sensuality  By John Cowper Powys.  Faber and Faber, 2011.  Originally published in 1930.  290 pages.  ISBN: 978-0571275403. 


Delight, Pleasures, Satisfaction, Enjoyment.   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Determination, Resolve, Willpower, Perseverance   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.  


Dialectic of the Chinese Revolution: From Utopianism to Hedonism.  By Jiwei Ci.  Stanford University Press, 1994.  292 pages.  ISBN: 978-0804723732. 


Different Loving: The World of Sexual Dominance and Submission.  By William Brame, Gloria Brame, and Jon Jacobs.   Villard, 1996.  560 pages.  ISBN: 9780679769569.  VSCL. 


Diogenes of Oinoanda and Epicurean Thought


Doctrines and Sayings of Epicurus


Doctrines of Epicureanism


Druids, NeoPagan Viewpoints

 

 

                                                                         

 

 

 

E


Ecstatic Body Postures: An Alternate Reality Workbook.  By Belinda Gore.  Foreword by Felicitas Goodman.  Santa Fe,  New Mexico, Bear and Company, 1995.  Endnotes, 284 pages.  ISBN: 1879181223.  VSCL. 


Egoism:  Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyWikipedia EncyclopediaInternet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Egoism - Ethical


Elemental Epicureanism Website.  General resources, physics, canonics, ethics, 12 Elementals, 40 Doctrines. 


Elemental Epicureanism.  Edited by Cassius Amicus.  Amazon Digital Services, Kindle Version, $0.99, 2013.  426 pages.  ASIN: B00FLRJ80A.  VSCL. 


Enjoyment, Delight, Pleasures, Satisfaction   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Enlightened Pleasures: Eighteenth-Century France and the New Epicureanism  By Thomas M. Kavanagh.  Yale University Press, 2010.  264 pages.  ISBN: 9780300140940. 


Enlightenment, Wisdom, Insight, Inspiration - Quotations


Enthusiasm, Vitality, Vigor, Grit - Quotations


Epicurean Ethics: Katastematic Hedonism (Studies in the History of Philosophy)  By Peter Preuss.  Studies in the History of Philosophy Series, Book 35.  Edwin Mellen Press, 1994.  288 pages.  ISBN: 978-0773491243. 


Epicurean Simplicity  By Stephanie Mills.  Washington, Shearwater Books, Island Press, 2002.  207 pages.  ISBN: 9781559636902.  VSCL. 


The Epicurean Tradition  By Howard Jones.  Routledge, Reprint Edition, 1992.  288 pages.  ISBN: 9780415075541. 


Epicureanism.  By Tim O'Keefe.  University of California Press, 2009.  A good introduction to Epicureanism.  Covers the three Epicurean essentials:  Physics/Metaphysics, Cannonical/Epistemological/Knowing, and Ethics.  Ancient Philosophies Series.  224 pages.  ISBN: 978-0520264717.  Brief chronology.  VSCL.  


Epicureanism - Wikipedia, 2015     " Only a few fragments and letters of Epicurus's 300 written works remain.  Much of what is known about Epicurean philosophy derives from later followers and commentators.  For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by ataraxia—peace and freedom from fear—and aponia—the absence of pain—and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends. He taught that pleasure and pain are measures of what is good and evil; death is the end of both body and soul and should therefore not be feared; the gods neither reward nor punish humans; the universe is infinite and eternal; and events in the world are ultimately based on the motions and interactions of atoms moving in empty space."


Epicureanism after Epicurus: The Influence of Epicurus on Western Thought.  By Robert Hanrott. 


Epicureanism at the Origins of Modernity  By Catherine Wilson.  Oxford University Press, 2008.  320 pages.  ISBN:  978-0199238811.  A study of Epicurean influences on many of the ideas that pervaded seventeenth and eighteenth century metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and natural and political philosophy.


Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction   By Catherine Wilson.  Oxford University Press, 2016.  144 pages.  ISBN: 9780199688326. 


Epicureans and Hedonists: Bibliography, Links, Quotations, Notes, Sayings, Pointers.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo - Hypertext Notebooks

 


Epicurus, 341 - 270 BCE.  Founder of the Greek philosophical school of Epicureanism in Athens, Greece, at "The Garden." 


Epicurus, 341 - 270 BCE.  Founder of the Greek philosophical school of Epicureanism in Athens, Greece, at "The Garden." 


Epicurus (341-270 BCE)  Information on Epicurus:  Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyWikipedia Encyclopedia Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Epicurus, 341-270 BCE   History, biography, views of the Epircurean School.    The Art of Happiness. 


Epicurus   Birthday, Celebration in Honor of Epicurus


Epicurus   The Sanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2015.  "Epicurus joined his father in Colophon, on the coast of what is now Turkey, in around 321 BCE. Here he studied philosophy under the tutelage of Nausiphanes, a Democritean philosopher with skeptical leanings.  Ten years later, Epicurus moved to Mytilene on the island of Lesbos, and soon proceeded to Lampsacus on the nearby mainland; in both cities he taught and gathered followers before returning again to Athens in 307 BCE, where he remained until his death in 270, at the age of seventy-one. In Athens, he had purchased the property that became known as the “Garden” (later used as a name for his school itself) and began to develop his own school in earnest." 


Epicurus and Epicurean Philosophy   Created by Vincent Cook. A good list of online classical texts useful to Epicureans. Excellent historical summary. Good information on resources.  


Epicurus and the Epicurean Tradition  Edited by Jeffrey Fish and Kirk R. Sanders.  Cambridge University Press, 2015.  280 pages.  ISBN: 9781107526471. 


Epicurus Blog: Moderation, Enjoyment of Life, Tranquility, Friendship, Lack of Fear.  By Robert Hanrott.


Epicurus: The Art of Happiness.  By Epicurus.  Translation, introduction, and commentary by George K. Strodach.  A foreword by Daniel Klein.  New York, Penguin Classics, Reissue edition, 2012.  Index, bibliography, notes, 251 pages.  ISBN:  978-0143107217.  "The teachings of Epicurus—about life and death, religion and science, physical sensation, happiness, morality, and friendship—attracted legions of adherents throughout the ancient Mediterranean world and deeply influenced later European thought. Though Epicurus faced hostile opposition for centuries after his death, he counts among his many admirers Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Jefferson, Karl Marx, and Isaac Newton. This volume includes all of his extant writings—his letters, doctrines, and Vatican sayings—alongside parallel passages from the greatest exponent of his philosophy, Lucretius, extracts from Diogenes Laertius' Life of Epicurus, a lucid introductory essay about Epicurean philosophy, and a foreword by Daniel Klein, author of Travels with Epicurus."   VSCL. 


Epicurus:  Epicurus Ethical Theory: The Pleasures of Invulnerability.  By Philip Mitsis.  Cornnell University Press, 1989.  Cornell Studies in Classical Philology Series, Book 48.  198 pages.  ISBN: 978-0801421877. 


Epicurus:  The Epicurus Reader: Selected Writings and Testimonia.   Translated by Brad Inwood with an introduction by Lloyd P. Gerson.  Hackett Classics.   Hackett Pub. Co., 1994.  128 pages.  ISBN: 9780872202412. 


Epicurus:  The Essential Epicurus  Translated with an introduction by Eugene O'Connor.  Letters, Principal Doctrines, Vatican Sayings, and Fragments.  New York, Promethus Books, Great Books in Philosophy, 1993.  101 pages.  ISBN: 0879758104.  VSCL. 


Equanimity, Calmness, Poise, Impartiality, Fearlessness:  Quotations, Sayings, Poems, Notes.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Equanimity.  Wikipedia.   The Greek stoics use the word apatheia whereas the Roman stoics used the Latin word aequanimitas.


The Essential Epicurus  Translated with an introduction by Eugene O'Connor.  Letters, Principal Doctrines, Vatican Sayings, and Fragments.  New York, Promethus Books, Great Books in Philosophy, 1993.  101 pages.  ISBN: 0879758104.  VSCL. 


Ethical Egoism - Wikipedia Encyclopedia


Ethical Egoism - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Ethical Egoism - Google Search 


The Ethical Significance of Pleasure, Feeling, and Happiness in Modern Neo-Hedonistic Systems.  By William Kelley Wright. 


The Ethics of Philodemus  By Voula Tsouna.  Clarendon Press, 2008.  280 pages.  ISBN: 9780199292172.  "Voula Tsouna presents a comprehensive study of the ethics of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, who taught Virgil, influenced Horace, and was praised by Cicero. His works have only recently become available to modern readers, through the decipherment of a papyrus carbonized by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.  Tsouna examines Philodemus' theoretical principles in ethics, his contributions to moral psychology, his method, his conception of therapy, and his therapeutic techniques."


Ethics: The Essential Writings.  Edited with an introduction by Gordon Marino.  New York, Modern Library, 2010.  Sources, 611 pages.  ISBN: 978-0812977783.  VSCL. 


Exercise - Pleasures

 

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Created by Michael P. Garofalo, Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove Notebooks, Red Bluff, California, © 2016 CCA 4.0

 

 

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Feelings, Sensation, Perception, The Five Senses  Quotations, bibliography, links, resources, notes, and research compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


Feldman, Fred, Ph.D.   Utilitarianism, Hedonism, and Desert: Essays in Moral Philosophy, 1997.    Pleasure and the Good Life: Concerning the Nature, Varieties, and Plausibility of Hedonism, 2006.      What Is This Thing Called Happiness? 2012.


A Few Days in Athens: The Friends of Epicurus Edition   By Frances Wright. Foreword and Study Guide by Hiram Crespo.  A didactic novel.  Originally published in 1821.  CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2015.  276 pages.  "Frances Wright was an author, a feminist, a humanist, a naturalist philosopher and--like her friend Thomas Jefferson--a disciple of Epicurus.  In this didactic novel, she bears witness to the noble philosophy and materialist ethics of personal happiness that nurtured them both.  A Few Days in Athens is a challenge to cultivate a mind without bias, to hold truth in high regard, to honor the innocence of others, and to love the wholesome virtues and human values within an entirely secular context.  It is a rare pearl in the treasure of the intellectual legacy of the West."   ISBN: 9781507709061.


A Few Days In Athens  By Frances Wright.  1821.  With notes and appendix by Cassius Amicus.  E-Book Kindle Edition.  VSCL. 


Fiction, Fictional Characters, Hedonists in Fiction, Fictional Characters with a Epicurean Approach to Life


Fitness - Pleasures 


The Five Senses, Perception, Impressions, Feelings  Quotations, bibliography, links, resources, notes, and research compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


Flourishing, Happiness, Fulfillment - Quotations.   Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Four Agreements.  By Don Miguel Ruiz.  Amber-Allen Pub., 1997.  160 pages.   ISBN: 978-1878424310. 


Friendship: Quotations, Sayings, Wisdom, Poetry, Aphorisms, Virtues.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


Frequently Asked Questions about Epicureanism - With Answers


From Pain to Pleasure: The Proven Pathway to Happiness: Epicurean Happiness Guidance  By Stefan G. Strietferdt.  CreateSpace Independent Pub., 2011.  116 pages.  ISBN: 9781463587604. 


Frugality, Simplicity, Down to Earth, Uncomplicated.  Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Fulfillment, Happiness, Flourishing - Quotations.   Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.

 

 

G


Games, Play, Fun, Pretending   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Gardening  Over 3,500 quotations arranged by over 150 topics.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo.  Epicurus taught in Athens at "The Garden."  At the entrance to his "Garden" was a sign with the words "Stranger, here you do well to tarry; here our highest good is pleasure."  Gardening has provided me with many pleasures over my lifetime. 


Garofalo, Michael P. (1946-)   Biography     My Views About Religion     Sensory Pleasures     How to Live a Good Life     Main Index


Gassendi, Pierre (1592-1655) 


Gassendi's Epicurus   Epicurus: His Life and Works, 1660, by Petrus Gassendi.  Gassendi's complete book on Epicurus in PDF Format. 


Generosity, Giving, Sharing.  Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Good Life and Virtues Website.  Quotations, Sayings, Notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


The Good Life: Unifying the Philosophy and Psychology of Well-Being.  By Michael Bishop.  Oxford University Press, 2015.  248 pages.  ISBN: 978-019923113. 


Great Freethinkers: Selected Quotations by Famous Skeptics and Nonconformists.  Edited by James C. Sanford.  Providence, Rhode Island, 2004.  Biographical index, 250 pages.  ISBN: 0974704229.  VSCL. 


The Greeks on Pleasure  By J. C. B. Gosling and C. C. W. Taylor.  Oxford University Press, 1982.  510 pages.  ISBN:  978-0198246664. 


Green Politics


Green Way Research Index

 

 

H


The Hand, Touch, Feeling: Quotations, Bibliography, Resources, Links, Notes   From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


Happiness (Eudaimonia


Happiness: A History  By Darrin M. McMahon.  New York, Atlantic Monthly Press, Grove Press, 2006.  Index, notes, 544 pages.  ISBN: 97808022142894.  VSCL. 


Happiness: A Philosopher's Guide.  By Frederic Lenoir.  Translated by Andrew Brown.  Melville House, 2015.  208 pages.  ISBN: 978-1612194394. 


Happiness, Flourishing, Fulfillment - Quotations.   Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom.  By Jonathan Haidt.  Basic Books, 2006.  320 pages.  ISBN: 978-0465028023. 


Hatha Yoga


Hearing, Listening, Sounds, Silence.  Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


 

Hedonism


Hedonism - International Encyclopedia of Ethics


Hedonism - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Hedonism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Hedonism - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Hedonism Philosophy Images


Hedonism - Wikipedia 


The Hedonism Handbook: Mastering The Lost Arts Of Leisure And Pleasure  By Michael Flocker.  DaCapo Press, 2004.  208 pages.  ISBN: 9780306814143.  Many practical suggestions for enjoying life more, humorous style, and who and what to avoid.  VSCL. 


The Hedonist Alternative: "Anti-Seneca" and Other Texts  By Julien Offray de la Mettrie.  Translated by Kirk Watson.  Amazon Digital Services, Kindle version, 2014.  133 pages.  ASIN: B00Q3K6N3O.  Julien Offray de La Mettrie (1709-1751) was a French physician and philosopher, and one of the earliest French materialists of the Enlightenment.  He is best know for his work Machine Man.


A Hedonist Manifesto   By Michel Onfray.  Translated and with a good introduction by Joseph McClellan.  Columbia University Press, 2015.  232 pages.  Insurrections: Critical Studies in Religion, Politics, and Culture.  ISBN:  978-0231171267.   Michel Onfray (1959-) is a French philosopher and public intellectual who founded and teaches at the free Popular University of Caen.  He has written more than sixty books in French, many of them best sellers.  His writing style is rich with comparisons and philosophical references, contemporary in scope, and for the advanced and knowledgeable reader.  Generally, he does not use  of obtuse philosophical jargon like you might encounter in Merleau-Ponty, Heidegger, Foucault, or Sartre.  I find his critical and skeptical thinking quite insightful and convincing.  He discusses art, bioethics, the body, politics, and intellectual history.  The book begins with a detailed discussion of his very negative experiences in a Catholic Salesian orphanage, and his uncaring mother.  He exposes the the philosophical underpinnings of non-Hedonistic or anti-Hedonist views.  He is an articulate atheist in the French tradition.  However, I don't find is presentation of the positive values of Hedonism very rich with examples and details─maybe that is found in his other books.  There are some of his lifestyle recommendations that I personally don't favor, just as preferences, not based on ethical objections.  His distain for America seem lopsided.  Unfortunately, only two of his books have been translated into English.  I have the E-book Kindle version, VSCL. 

 


 

                                                                                                    

 

 

 

The Hedonistic Imperative.  By David Pearce.  Kindle E-Book, 2015.  166 pages. 


Hedonistic Theories from Aristippus to Spencer.  By John Watson.  First published in 1895.  Forgotten Books, Classic Reprint, 2012.  270 pages.  ASIN: B008VX1CSC. 


Hedonistic Utilitarianism  By Torbjorn Tannsjo.  Edinburgh University Press, 1998.  224 pages.  ISBN: 978-0748610426. 

 


Hellenistic Philosphers Index 


The Hellenistic Philosophers: Volume 1, Translations of the Principal Sources with Philosophical Commentary.  Compiled and translated by A. A. Long and D.N. Sedley.  Cambridge University Press, 1987.  524 pages.  ISBN: 9780521275569. 


Hellenistic Philosophy: Introductory Readings.  Translated and compiled by Brad Inwood and Lloyd P. Gerson.  Hackett Pub. Co., Second Edition, 1998.  438 pages.  ISBN: 97780872203785.  VSCL. 


Hellenistic Philosophy of Mind.  By Julia E. Annas.  Berkeley, University of California Press, Reprint, 1994.  Hellenistic Culture and Society Series, Book 8.  245 pages.  ISBN: 978-0520076594. 


Hellenistic Philosophy: Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics  By A. A. Long.  Berkeley, University of California Press, 1974, Second Edition, 1986.  Index, bibliography, 274 pages.  ISBN: 978-0520058088.  VSCL. 


Hippie Lifestyle


History of Epicurean Philosophy by Vincent Cook 


The History of Sexuality, Volume 2: The Use of Pleasure.  By Michel Foucault.  Translated by Robert Hurley.  Vintage Books, 1990.  304 pages.  ISBN: 978-0394751221. 


The Holy Barbarians.  By Larry Lipton.  New York, Julian Messner, Inc., 1959.  320 pages. 


The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want  By Sonja Lyubomirsky.  New York, Penguin Books, 2008.  Index, extensive notes, appendix, 366 pages.  ISBN: 978-1594201486.  Hardbound copy.  Ms. Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of California at Riverside, with a strong emphasis on positive psychology.  VSCL. 


How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like.  By Paul Bloom.  W.W. Norton, 2011.  304 pages.  ISBN: 9780393340006. 


How to Life a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons.  Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo. 


Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo    Senses, Pleasure, Hedonism, Druids, Stoics, Touch, Tao Te Ching, Taijiquan, Qigong, Walking, Philosophy, Tai Chi Chuan, Poetry, etc.  Mike Garofalo (1945-) and Karen Garofalo live south of the City of Red Bluff, in Tehama County, California.  They live in a rural area, surrounded by almond orchards, at the "Valley Spirit Center, Gushen Grove."  [Both a real and a imaginary place.]  Our home and gardens are located on the flat, clay/sand rockless soil, in the midland heart of the North Sacramento River Valley.  Mike's writings are published under the Green Way Research banner. 

 

 

I


Impulsive, Spontaneity, Flexibility - Quotations  


In Defense of Sensuality.  By John Cowper Powys.  V. Gollancz, 1931.  287 pages. 


Individualism - Wikipedia Encyclopedia.  An excellent overview of the subject, its history, key advocates, references, and links.  Many, but not all individualists, are hedonists.  Individualists all tend to resist forced conformity, favor minimal government or anarchist political positions, and support individual liberties. 


Inspiration, Enlightenment, Wisdom, Inspiration - Quotations 

 

 

How to Support this Website

 

 

Intelligent Life Magazine - The Economist 


An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation   By Jeremy Bentham, 1748-1832.  Create Space Independent Publishing, 2015.  292 pages.  ISBN: 978-1508738732. 


Impartiality, Equanimity, Calmness, Poise, Fearlessness:  Quotations, Sayings, Poems, Notes.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Introduction to Virtue Ethics: Insights of the Ancient Greeks.  By Raymond Devettere.  Georgetown University Press, 2002.  208 pages.  ISBN: 978-0878403721. 


Inventing the Individual: The Origins of Western Liberalism.  By Larry Siedentop.  New York, Penguin Books, 2014.  Index, bibliography, notes, 434 pages.  ISBN: 978-0141009544,  VSCL.

 

 

J


Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)  "I too am an Epicurean.  I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us." (1819)  


Jefferson, Thomas:  Syllabus of the Doctrines of Epicurus (1819) 

 

 

K
 

Katastematic:  A primarily internal condition, attitude, state of body-mind producing feelings of pleasure.  The experience of pleasant feeling when the body is healthy, relatively pain or distress free, at ease, and you are comfortable in your skin. 

"It would be a condition of no pleasure and no pain classifiable as kinetic, but it would by no means be a condition of no pleasure and no pain at all. It would in fact be a condition of pleasure arising from the simple, undisturbed, undistracted, awareness of oneself, and of one's openness to the world through specific sensory inputs, but without being currently engaged with any. It would be an active awareness of one's constitution as a particular sort of animal—a constitution for such sensory engagement. And, one would not be experiencing this pleasant awareness unless one's condition were one of normal healthiness and ongoing natural functioning: if one's condition were not such, one would be experiencing some disturbing movements in one's consciousness—unhealthy or disturbed and distorted functioning is just what does cause kinetic pain. Accordingly, to pleasure arising in this second set of circumstances for the arousal of pleasure, Epicurus gave the name "katastematic," drawing upon a Greek term for a condition or state, or for the constitution, of a thing. It is called "katastematic" not so to indicate a special kind of pleasure, any more than kinetic pleasures are a kind of pleasure, but rather so as to draw attention to the special circumstances of pleasure's arousal, on which it is conditioned, in the case of this pleasure. We would describe this pleasure as pleasure in the awareness of the healthy functioning of one's own natural constitution, physical and psychic."
- John M. Cooper, Pursuits of Wisdom, 2012, p. 234

"For Epicurus, the only criterion for deciding on one's way of life is what will work out best form the point of view on one's own pursuit of a continuous experience of katastematic pleasure, varied suitably so as to conform to one's own, perhaps somewhat idiosyncratic, preferences among sources of kinetic pleasure."
- John M. Cooper, Pursuits of Wisdom, 2012, p. 263


Kindness, Caring, Good Will, Compassion   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.

 

 

L


Liberalism.  By Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973).  Translated by Ralph Raico.  Edited by Arthur Goddard.  Ludwig von Mises Institute, 1927, 2010.  Index, appendix, 207 pages.  ISBN: 9781933550848.  The welfare state is doomed to failure; a free economy is sustainable.  A minimalist non-interventionist government is best to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number.  VSCL. 


Libertine - Wikipedia Encyclopedia.   Excellent survey of the term, its history, prominent libertines, novels, and clubs.  A good scholarly article on the subject with references and excellent links.  Libertines were mostly against theocratic rule of society, anti-clericalism, erotic sensualists, wealthy, and often aristocrats. 


Life, Letters and Epicurean Philosophy of Ninon de L Enclos.  Book Jungle, 2008.  272 pages.  ISBN: 9781605979076. 


Life's Little Instruction Book:  511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life.  By H. Jackson Brown, Jr.  Thomas Nelson, Revised edition, 2000.  160 pages.  ISBN: 1558538356. 


Locke, John (1602-1734)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy  Locke, like Epircurus, defended the empiricist view that knowledge comes from sensations and experience, and not the view of Plato or Descartes that true knowledge comes only from a rational intuition of forms or concepts not derived from experience. 


Locke, John.  Collected Works, E-book Kindle Version, 7 Works: Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Treatise on Government, Letter on Tolerance.  VSCL. 


Loveliness, Beauty, Grace, Art, Style   Quotations, sayings, poems, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Lucretius: The Nature of Things.   By Lucretius.  Translated by Alicia Stallings.  Introduction by Richard Jenkyns.  Written by Titus Lucretius Carus in around 60 BCE.  New York, Penguin Classics, 2007.  304 pages.  ISBN: 978-0140447965.  Epicurean physics in a poetic format. 


Titus Lucretius Carus (99 - 55 BCE)   Information:   Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Lucretius: The Way Things Are: The Way Things Are: The De Rerum Natura of Titus Lucretius Carus.  Translated by Rolfe Humphries.  Written by Titus Lucretius Carus in around 60 BCE.  Bloomington, Indiana, University of Indiana Press, 1968.  Notes, 255 pages.  ISBN: 9780253201256.  Lucretius was an Epicurean Hellenistic philosopher.  VSCL. 


Lucretius:  Titus Lucretius Carus, circa 99 BCE - 55 BCE., was a Roman poet and philosopher.  "His only known work is the epic philosophical poem De rerum natura about the tenets and philosophy of Epicureanism, and which is usually translated into English as On the Nature of Things.  Very little is known about Lucretius's life; the only certain fact is that he was either a friend or client of Gaius Memmius, to whom the poem was addressed and dedicated.  De rerum natura was a considerable influence on the Augustan poets, particularly Virgil (in his Aeneid and Georgics, and to a lesser extent on the Satires and Eclogues) and Horace.  The work virtually disappeared during the Middle Ages but was rediscovered in 1417 in a monastery in Germany by Poggio Bracciolini, and it played an important role both in the development of atomism (Lucretius was an important influence on Pierre Gassendi) and the efforts of various figures of the Enlightenment era to construct a new Christian humanism."  -  Wikipedia.


Lucretius:  The Swerve: How the World Became Modern  By Stephen Greenblatt.  W. W. Norton, 2012.  356 pages.  ISBN: 978-0393343403.  Review.  How a Renaissance book hunter discovered and saved Lucretius: The Way Things Are: The Way Things Are: The De Rerum Natura of Titus Lucretius Carus

 

 

M


Marius the Epicurean: His Sensations and Ideas  By Walter Pater.  1885.  Cosimo Classics, 2005.  392 pages.  ISBN: 9781596055544.  I use the E-book Kindle version of this classic.  Foreword by Gerald Monsman.  VSCL. 


Meliorism   We can make adjustments and improvements to our natural world to improve our lives.  Techo-progressivism.  William James was a meliorist. 


The Methods of Ethics.  By Henry Sidgwick.  Foreword by John Rawls.  Hackett Pub. Co., 1874, 7th Edition, 1981.  568 pages.  ISBN: 978-0915145287.  'Professor Henry Sidgwick (May 31, 1838 - August 28, 1900) was a professor, philosopher, writer and advocate for womens education. An analytical Utilitarian in his politics, as a philosopher he examined the principles of ethical hedonism, human behavior and free will. He developed a reputation as an excellent teacher who treated students as equals and was also a member of the Metaphysical Society.'


Mill, John Stuart (1806-1873)  Information:  Wikipedia Encyclopedia.   English philosopher, political economist, utilitarian proponent, and public servant.   


Mill, John Stuart.  The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill: On Liberty, the Subjection of Women, and Utilitarianism.  Introduction by J. B. Schneewind, and commentary by Dale E. Miller.  New York, Modern Library, 2002.  400 pages.  ISBN: 9780375759185.  VSCL. 


Moderation   Quotations, Sayings, Notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Moral Darwinism: How We Became Hedonists  By Benjamin Wiker.  IVP Academic, 2002.  329 pages.  Christian Classics Bible Studies.  A Christian critique of hedonism, materialism, sensuality.  ISBN: 978-0830826667. 


The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values.  By Sam Harris.  New York, Free Press, 2010.  Index, references, notes, 307 pages.  ISBN: 9781439171226.  VSCL. 


The Morality of Happiness  By Julia Annas.  Oxford University Press, 1995.  512 pages.  ISBN: 978-0195096521.  VSCL.    "Ancient ethical theories, based on the notions of virtue and happiness, have struck many as an attractive alternative to modern theories. But we cannot find out whether this is true until we understand ancient ethics--and to do this we need to examine the basic structure of ancient ethical theory, not just the details of one or two theories. In this book, Annas brings together the results of a wide-ranging study of ancient ethical philosophy and presents it in a way that is easily accessible to anyone with an interest in ancient or modern ethics. She examines the fundamental notions of happiness and virtue, the role of nature in ethical justification and the relation between concern for self and concern for others. Her careful examination of the ancient debates and arguments shows that many widespread assumptions about ancient ethics are quite mistaken. Ancient ethical theories are not egoistic, and do not depend for their acceptance on metaphysical theories of a teleological kind. Most centrally, they are recognizably theories of morality, and the ancient disputes about the place of virtue in happiness can be seen as akin to modern disputes about the demands of morality."

 

 

N


New Epicurean.  Resources, lists, quotations, comparisons. 


A New Guide to Rational Living.  By Albert Ellis and Robert A. Harper.  Third Edition, Thoroughly Revised and Updated for the Twenty-First Century.  Hollywood, CA, Melvin Powers Wilshire Book Company, 1961, 1997.  Index, bibliography, 283 pages.   ISBN: 0879800429.  VSCL. 


Nicomachean Ethics  By Aristotle.  Translated by Terence Irwin.  Introduction, notes, references.  Hackett Publishing, 2nd Edition, 1999.  392 pages.  Kindle Edition.  ISBN: 978-0872204645.  VSCL. 


Nicomachean Ethics   By Aristotle.  Translated by Christopher Rowe.  Commentary and notes by Sarah Broadie.  Oxford University Press, 2002.  Introduction: pp. 3-94.  Translation of Nicomachean Ethics: pp. 95-260.  Commentary: 261-452.  Bibliography, Indexes, 468 pages.  ISBN: 9780198752714.  VSCL. 


Nietzsche, Frederick Wilhelm (1844 – 1900) - Wikipedia  Nietzsche was a scholar of Greek and Latin, familiar with Greco-Roman culture and philosophy.  Plagued by poor health all of his short life, he nevertheless wrote many essays and books.  His style of writing is engaging, insightful, bold, persuasive, imaginative, and he has keen sense of the bourgeois German culture of the late 19th century.  His thoughts and opinions can hold us spellbound at times.  The Greek sense of excellence for a persons function in life, free thinking, high standards, enjoyment of life, dignity, will, no gods needed, heroes, work, courage ... sounds like the issues raised by Epircureans. 


Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm (1844-1900)   The Portable Nietzsche.   By Friedrich Nietzsche.  Translated by Walter Kaufmann.  New York, Penguin Books, 1977.  704 pages.  ISBN: 9780140150629.   Includes the complete and unabridged translations of: Twilight of the Idols, The Antichrist, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Thus Spoke Zarathurstra.  Extensive quotations from other works and his letters.  VSCL.  


Nietzsche, Frederick Wilhelm (1844-1900).  Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyWikipedia EncyclopediaInternet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Nietzsche and Epicurean Philosophy.  By A. H. J. Knight, Philosophy: Vol. 8, No. 32, October 1933, pp. 431-445. 


Nietzsche, Rand, and the Ethics of the Great Task, by Peter Saint-Andre, 2009.


The Norms of Nature: Studies in Hellenistic Ethics  Edited by Malcolm Schofield and Gisela Striker.  Cambridge University Press, 2007.  300 pages.  ISBN: 978-0521039888. 


Notebooks of an Old Philosopher   Notes by Mike Garofalo.  Lot's ruminations and research on the senses, hands, body-mind arts, somaesthetics, and virtures.  Part of the Hypertext Notebooks Series. 


Novels, Plays, Characters with a Hedonistic Attitude or Philosophy

 


O


Oikeiôsis: self-preservation, belonging to oneself, orientation, affinity, familiar, home, family, things close to one's heart.  A key term in Stoic developmental psychology.  Also implies working on developing a better sense of interconnectedness with widening circles of beings. 


On Desire: Why We Want What We Want  By William B. Irvine.  Oxford University Press, 2006.  Index, bibliography, notes, 322 pages.  ISBN: 9780195327076.  VSCL. 


One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey  Research by Mike Garofalo in Neo-Paganism. 


Onfray, Michel.  Michel Onfray is a French philosopher and public intellectual who founded and teaches at the free Popular University of Caen.  He has written more than sixty books in French, many of them best sellers.  Two books translated into English:  Atheist Manifesto: The Case Against Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, 2011.   A Hedonist Manifesto: The Power to Exist, 2015.  I wish more of his books were translated from French into English. 


Openness, Broadmindedness, Flexibility   Quotations, Sayings, Notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Oxford History of Greece and the Hellenistic World  Edited by John Boardman, Jasper Griffin, and Oswyn Murray.  Oxford University Press Paperbacks, 2nd Edition, 1986, 2001.  Index, tables, 520 pages.  ISBN: 978-0192801371.  VSCL. 

 

 

                                                           

 

 

 

P



Pain


Aging Well


Managing Pain Before It Manages You.  By Margaret A. Caudill.  Guilford Press, 3rd Edition, 2008.  272 pages.  ISBN: 978-1593859824. 


Mental Health Problems - Self Help Methods


Pain and Pleasure: A Study of Bodily Feelings.  By Thomas Szasz.  Syracuse University Press, 1988, 2nd Edition.  303 pages.  ISBN: 978-0815602309. 


The Pain Survival Guide: How to Reclaim Your Life.  By Dennis C. Turk, Ph.D.  American Psychological Association, 2005.  203 pages.  ISBN: 978-1591470496.


Reducing Pain Through Exercise, Massage, Yoga, Walking, Qigong 

 


Pater, Walter (1939-1894) 


Perception, Sensations, Impressions, The Five Senses  Quotations, bibliography, links, resources, notes, and research compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


Peripatetic School.  In 335 BCE, Aristotle began teaching in the area at the Lyceum in Athens, Greece.  Philosophers, many followers of Aristotle, continued to walk and meet at the Lyceum for many centuries, until around 200 CE.  The school of Aristotle, the Aristotelians, followers of Aristotle's approach to developing a philosophy of life for yourself and expanding your knowledge. 


Philodemus   "Philodemus of Gadara (110 - 35 BCE).  A Hellenistic Epicurean philosopher and poet. He studied under Zeno of Sidon in Athens, before moving to Rome, and then to Herculaneum. He was once known chiefly for his poetry preserved in the Greek Anthology, but since the 18th century, many writings of his have been discovered among the charred papyrus rolls at the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum. The task of excavating and deciphering these rolls is difficult, and work continues to this day.  The Ethics of Philodemus by Voula Tsouna.


A Philosopher's Notebooks by Mike Garofalo


The Philosophical Garden Website.  Encountering Ideas in the Midst of the Natural World.  This website has a particular focus on the ancient Greek philosophical tradition.  Of special interest is the significance of Epicurean philosophy from antiquity to the present day.


Philosophy: An Introduction Through Literature  Edited with introductions by Lowell Kleiman and Stephen Lewis.  Paragon House, 1998.  618 pages.  ISBN: 9781557785398.  VSCL. 


Philosophy as a Way of Life: Ancients and Moderns - Essays in Honor of Pierre Hadot.  Edited by Michael Chase, Stephen R. L. Clark, and Michael McGhee.  Wiley-Blackwell, 2013.  340 pages.  ISBN: 978-1405161619. 


Philosophy as a Way of Life: Spiritual Exercises from Socrates to Foucault  By Pierre Hadot.  Edited with an introduction by Arnold Davidson.  Translated by Michael Chase.  Malden, Massachusetts, Wiley-Blackwell, 1995.  Index, extensive bibliography, 320 pages.  ISBN: 978-0631180333.  VSCL. 


Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems  By Jules Evans.  New World Library, 2013.  320 pages.  ISBN: 978-1608682294. 


Philosophy Talk: Community of Thinkers


Plato (427 - 347 BCE)   Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Plato.  The Collected Dialogues of Plato, Including the Letters.  Edited by Edith Hamilton and Huntington Cairns.  With an Introduction and Prefatory Notes.  New York, Pantheon Books, 1961.  Bollingen Series, LXXI.  14 different translators are used in this collection.  Detailed index, 743 pages.  LCN: 61-11758.  VSCL. 


Play, Games, Pretending   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Pleasure.  By Alexander Lowen, M.D..  Bioenergetics Press, 2006.  258 pages.  ISBN: 978-0974373720. 


Pleasure: A Creative Approach to Life.  By Alexander Lowen.  Alexander Lowen Foundation, 2013.  270 pages.  ISBN: 978-1938485107. 


Pleasure and Desire: The Case of Hedonism Reviewed  By J. C. B. Gosling.  Oxford University Press, 1969.  188 pages.  ISBN: 978-0198243397. 


Pleasure and the Good Life: Concerning the Nature, Varieties, and Plausibility of Hedonism.  By Fred Feldman.  Oxford University Press, Clarendon Press, 2004, 2010.  Index, bibliography, themes, 221 pages.  ISBN: 978-0199297603.  VSCL. 


Pleasure in Ancient Greek Philosophy.  By David Wolfsdorf.  Cambridge University Press, 2013.  Index, reading list, 299 pages.  Key Themes in Ancient Philosophy Series.  ISBN: 978-0521149754.  VSCL. 


The Pleasure Instinct: Why We Crave Adventure, Chocolate, Pheromones, and Music  By Gene Wallenstein.  Wiley, 2008.  256 pages.  ISBN: 9780471619154. 


The Pleasure Prescription: To Love, To Work and to Play - Life in the Balance  By Paul Pearsall.  Hunter House Publications, 1996.  280 pages.  ISBN: 9780897932073. 


Pleasures, Delight, Satisfaction, Enjoyment   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Pleasures All Mine: A History of Perverse Sex.  By Julie Peakman.  Reaktion Books, 2013.  472 pages.  ISBN: 978-1780231853. 


Pleasures and Pains: A Theory of Qualitative Hedonism  By Rem B. Edwards.  Cornell University Press, 1979.  160 pages.  ISBN: 978-0801412417. 


Pleasures of the Brain.  By Morten L. Kringelbach and B. Kent (Editors).  Oxford University Press, 2009.  Series in Affective Science.  352 pages.  ISBN: 978-0195331028. 


The Portable Hannah Arendt.  By Hannah Arendt (1906-1975).  Edited with an introduction by Peter Baehr.  New York, Penguin Classics, Reissue Edition, 2000.  575 pages.  ISBN: 978-0142437568.  VSCL. 


Practical Ethics.  By Peter Singer.  Cambridge University Press, 1980, 3rd Edition, 2011.  Index, notes, references, 356 pages.  ISBN: 9780521707688.  VSCL. 


Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces that Shape Our Decisions.  By Dan Ariely.  Revised and expanded edition.  Harper Perennial, 2010.  384 pages.  ISBN: 978-0061353246.  VSCL. 


The Present Alone is Our Happiness, Second Edition: Conversations with Jeannie Carlier and Arnold I. Davidson.  Essays by Pierre Hadot and others.  Translated from the French by Arnold I. Davidson.  Cultural Memory in the Present.  Stanford University Press, 2nd Edition, 2011.  240 pages.  ISBN: 978-0804775434. 


Pretending, Games, Play, Fun   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Principal Doctrines of Epicureanism


Psychological Egoism - Wikipedia


Psychological Egoism - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Psychological Egoism - Google Search 

 

 

Psychology

 

The Albert Ellis Reader: A Guide to Well-Being Using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.  Edited by Albert Ellis and Shawn Blau.  New York, Citadel Press, Kensington Pub., 1998.  Index, bibliography, notes, 375 pages.  ISBN: 0806520329.  VSCL.  


Mental Health Problems - Self Help Methods


A New Guide to Rational Living.  By Albert Ellis and Robert A. Harper.  Third Edition, Thoroughly Revised and Updated for the Twenty-First Century.  Hollywood, CA, Melvin Powers Wilshire Book Company, 1961, 1997.  Index, bibliography, 283 pages.   ISBN: 0879800429.  VSCL. 


On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy.  By Carl R. Rogers.  Introduction by Pete D. Kramer.  Boston, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1961, 1995.  Index, bibliography, 420 pages.  ISBN: 039575531X.  VSCL. 


The Psychology of Quality of Life: Hedonic Well-Being, Life Satisfaction, and Eudaimonia.  By Joseph Sirgy.  Springer, 2nd Edition, 2014.  Index, 622 pages.  Textbook: Social Indicators Research Series, Book 50.  ISBN: 9789400799301. 

 


Pulling Onions.   Over 866 quips, saying, jokes, observations, aphorisms, and remarks by Mike Garofalo. 


Pursuits of Wisdom: Six Ways of Life in Ancient Philosophy from Socrates to Plotinus  By John M. Cooper.  Princeton University Press, 2012.  Index, bibliography, end notes, further reading list, 442 pages.  ISBN: 978-0691159706.  Chapter 5, pp. 226-304: The Epicurean and Skeptic Ways of Life.  VSCL. 


Pyrrhonism:  How the Ancient Greeks Reinvented Buddhism.  By Adrian Kuzminski.  Lexington Books, 2010.  170 pages.  ISBN: 978-0739125076. 

 

 

R


Rational Egoism  - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Rational Egoism - Wikipedia Encyclopedia 


Reading Pleasures


Reasons and the Good  By Roger Crisp.  Clarendon Press, 2006.  192 pages.  ISBN: 978-0199290338.  


Religion and Atheism   Notes, recommended reading, and personal opinions of Mike Garofalo. 


Rendezvous with the Sensuous: Readings on Aesthetics  Edited by Linda Ardito and John Murungi.  Cambridge Scholars Pub., 2014.  256 pages.  ISBN: 978-1443856225.


Resolve, Willpower, Determination, Perseverance   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.  


Retreat, Solitude, Silence, Calmness   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.

 

 

S


Satisfaction, Delight, Pleasures, Enjoyment   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Science of Pleasure: Cosmos and Psyche in the Bourgeois World View  By Harvie Ferguson.  Routledge, 1990.  384 pages.  ISBN: 978-0415028936. 


Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns: The Romance and Sexual Sorcery of Sadomasochism.  By Philip Miller and Molly Devon.  Mystic Rose Books, 1995.  277 pages.  ISBN: 9780964596009.  VSCL. 


Seasons, Months  Compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


Seeing, Vision, Perception, Looking.   Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


Sensation, Perception, The Five Senses  Quotations, bibliography, links, resources, notes, and research compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


A Sensual Soul.  By Charles de Saint-Evremond.  Translated by Kirk Watson.  116 pages.  Kindle Digital:  B0170AKDPO.


Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Rise of American's 1960s Counterculture.  By Robert Cottrell.  Rowman and Littlefield Pubs., 2015.  452 pages.  ISBN: 9781442246065. 


Sexual Desire: A Philosophical Investigation  By Roger Scruton.  Bloomsbury Academic, 2006.  448 pages.  ISBN: 978-0826480385. 


Sexual Pleasures, Carnal Alchemy, Tantrics, Sexually Experimental 


Seven Pleasures: Essays on Ordinary Happiness  By Willard Spiegelman.  The seven simple pleasures discussed are: dancing, reading, walking, looking, listening, swimming, and writing.  If you included Taijiquan as "dancing" then all of these can be solitary activities.  Picador, 2010.  208 pages.  ISBN: 9780312429676. 


The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophies  By Thomas C. Mcevilley.  Allworth Press, 2001.  768 pages.  Kindle Version.   ISBN: 978-1581152036. 


The Sceptics.  By R. J. Hankinson.  London, Routledge, 1995.  Arguments of the Philosopher's Series.  General index, index of works cited, bibliography, notes, 376 pages.  ISBN: 0415184460.  Excellent introduction!  Exposition and arguments of the ancient sceptics: Pyrrhonism and Melagarism.  Detailed and authoritative survey of Greek and Hellenistic skeptics.  VSCL. 


Sharing, Generosity, Giving.  Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life by Leo Babauta


Simplicity, Frugality, Uncomplicated.  Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


A Small Treatise on the Great Virtues: The Uses of Philosophy in Everyday Life  By André Comte-Sponville.  Translated from the French by Catherine Temerson.  New York, Henry Holt and Co., Metropolitan/Owl Book. 1996. 2001.  Index, notes, 352 pages.  ISBN: 0805045562.  VSCL.  The virtues discussed in these essays are:  Politeness, Fidelity, Prudence, Temperance, Courage, Justice, Generosity, Compassion, Mercy, Gratitude, Humility, Simplicity, Tolerance, Purity, Gentleness, Good Faith, Humor, and Love.   


Smelling, Scent.   Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo. 


Society of the Friends of Epicurus   A variety of resources and shared experiences and ideas. 


Socratic Logic: A Logic Text using Socratic Method, Platonic Questions, and Aristotelian Principles, Edition 3.1   By Peter Kreeft, and edited by Trent Dougherty.  South Bend, Indiana, St. Augustine's Press, Third Edition, 3.1, 2004, 2010.  Index, 410 pages.  ISBN: 9781587318085.  VSCL. 


Solitude, Retreat, Silence, Calmness  Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Somatics, Somaesthetics, The Human Body.  Notes, bibliography, guides, and research by Mike Garofalo.


The Spirit of Gardening.  Over 3,500 quotations arranged by over 150 topics.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo. 


Spontaneity, Flexibility, Impulsive - Quotations  


The Stoic and Epicurean Philosophers: The Complete Extant Writings of Epicurus, Epictetus, Lucretius, and Marcus Aurelius  Edited with an introduction by Whitney J. Oates, PhD.  New York, The Modern Library, Random House, 1940.  Glossary, 627 pages.  ISBN: 9780394607450.  VSCL.  This was the first book I ever read about the Epicurean philosophers.  I purchased a used hardbound copy in 1962.  VSCL. 


Stoicism.  By John Sellars.  University of California Press, 2006.  219 pages.  Ancient Philosophies Series, Book 1.  ISBN: 978-0520249080.


Sweeping Changes: Discovering the Joy of Zen in Everyday Tasks by Gary Thorp 


Symbolist Movement in Art and Literature

 

 

T


Tantra: Bibliography, Links, Resources


Tantra: Hedonism in Indian Culture  By Prem Saran.  D. K. Printworld, 1998.  220 pages.  ISBN: 9788124600979. 


Taoism and the Tao Te Ching  Compilations and research by Mike Garofalo.  A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes over 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter.   


Tasting, Flavors, Eating.   Quotes, sayings, facts, lore, and information compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


Tending the Epicurean Garden  By Hiram Crespo.  Humanist Press, 2014.  Kindle Version.  196 pages.  ISBN: 978-0931779534.  VSCL.  "There are sources on Epicureanism, but many are indirect and some are hostile. It’s important for us in the Epicurean movement that there exist Epicurean sources for our tradition that explain it on our own terms. Another reason why this book is extremely important is that there is a huge body of interdisciplinary research that vindicates the teachings of Epicurus, which calls for an update to how they’re presented. This includes not just research by social scientists but also in fields as varied as diet and neuroplasticity.  Epicureanism is not a fossilized, archaic Greek philosophical school but a cosmopolitan, contemporary, scientific wisdom tradition that is alive and changing as new information becomes available on the science of happiness and wellbeing. Lovers of Epicurean tradition who make a resolution to apply philosophy in their daily lives will benefit the most from the book, which is meant to set the foundation for the work of the Society of Friends of Epicurus. The best way for Epicureanism to grow, in my view, is organically and slowly beginning with small circles of Friends. I also believe that the current generation of Epicureans has a pivotal role in the future of our tradition, and that the most effective way to revitalize our tradition is by implementing exercises based on the insights presented in the book about katastemic and contemplative practices, by nurturing their wisdom traditions, etc. Insights gained through these experiments, if shared with the larger Epicurean community, might be of great benefit to many." Hiram Crespo was born in New York city and currently resides in Chicago. He graduated in 2013 with high honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Northeastern Illinois University, with concentrations in mass media and French. He's a philosopher, multilingual author and blogger, and the founder of the Society of Friends of Epicurus.
- Hiram Crespo, Tending the Epicurean Garden, 2014, Summary and Reviews


The Ten Golden Rules: Ancient Wisdom from the Greek Philosophers on Living the Good Life.  By M.S. Soupios and Panos Mourdoukoutas.  Charlottsville, Virginia, Hampton Roads Pub., 2009.  128 pages.  Both authors are professors at Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus.  ISBN: 9781571746054.  VSCL. 


Thankfulness, Appreciation, Cheerfulness, Gratitude   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.


The Therapy of Desire: Theory and Practice in Hellenistic Ethics.  By Martha C. Nussbaum.  Princeton University Press, 1996, 2009.  584 pages.  Martin Classical Lectures Series.  ISBN: 978-0691141312.  VSCL.  


Thinking Critically.   By John Caffee.  Wadsworth Pub., 2011.  10th Edition.  Index, bibliography, 592 pages.  ISBN: 9780495908814.  John Chaffee, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at The City University of New York, where he has developed a Philosophy and Critical Thinking program.  VSCL. 


Time and the Art of Living  By Robert Grudin.  Mariner Books, 1997.  Index, 250 pages.  ISBN: 978039689814.  VSCL. 


Time, the Familiar Stranger   By J. T. Frazier.  University of Massachusetts Press, 2012.  Index, bibliography, notes, 408 pages.  ISBN: 9781558498594.  VSCL. 


Touching, Feeling, Sensations, Hands.  Quotes, Sayings, Facts, Information, and Charts compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


The Tradition of Political Hedonism from Hobbes to J. S. Mill  By Frederick Vaughan.  Fordham University Press, 1982.  271 pages.  ISBN: 978-0823210770. 


Tranquility (Atraxia), Serenity, Peace of Mind:  Quotations, sayings, poems, observations.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo.


Travels with Epicurus: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life  By Daniel Klein.  New York, Penguin Books, 2012.  164 pages.  ISBN: 9780143126621.  at the age of 73, Daniel Kein, takes a suitcase of books with him, and goes to live on the Greek island of Hydra in the village of Kamini.  He uses his clear and keen mind to contemplate a philosophy of old age.  His cogent observations and humor provide the reader with a wonderful reflection on living a meaningful, authentic, and realistic old age.  He draws on a variety of philosophers and psychologists to support his conclusions.  The cool and warm breezes of the Agean Sea bring a fresh perspective to his useful meditations on living well in old age.  VSCL. 


Troubled Pleasures: Writings on Politics, Gender and Hedonism.  By Kate Soper.  Verso, 1990.  302 pages.  ISBN: 978-0860915362. 

 

 

U


Unforbidden Pleasures.  By Adam Phillips.  Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016.  208 pages.  ISBN: 978-0374278021. 


Utilitarianism - Wikipedia EncyclopediaStanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy 


Utilitarianism.  Jeremy Bentham, 15 February 1748 - 6 June 1832, was a British philosopher, jurist, and social reformer.  "He is regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism.  He strongly endorsed acting on the principle that "it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong."  He became a leading theorist in Anglo-American philosophy of law, and a political radical whose ideas influenced the development of welfarism.  He advocated individual and economic freedom, the separation of church and state, freedom of expression, equal rights for women, the right to divorce, and the decriminalising of homosexual acts.  He called for the abolition of slavery, the abolition of the death penalty, and the abolition of physical punishment, including that of children.  He has also become known in recent years as an early advocate of animal rights.  Though strongly in favour of the extension of individual legal rights, he opposed the idea of natural law and natural rights, calling them "nonsense upon stilts".  Bentham's students included his secretary and collaborator James Mill, the latter's son, John Stuart Mill, the legal philosopher John Austin, as well as Robert Owen, one of the founders of utopian socialism." - Wikipedia


Utilitarianism.  Bentham, Jeremy   Principles of Morals and Legislation,  1789. 


Utilitarianism.  Bentham, Jeremy (1748-1832)  Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Wikipedia Encyclopedia Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy


Utilitarianism.  The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism.  By Ben Eggleston and Dale E. Miller.  Cambridge University Press, 2014.  406 pages.  ISBN: 9780521604819. 


Utilitarianism, Hedonism, and Desert: Essays in Moral Philosophy.  By Fred Feldman.  Cambridge University Press, 1997.  236 pages.  Cambridge Studies in Philosophy Series.  ISBN: 978-0521598422.


Utilitarianism.  John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)  Information:  Wikipedia Encyclopedia.   English philosopher, political economist, utilitarian proponent, and public servant.   


Utilitarianism.  John Stuart Mill.  The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill: On Liberty, the Subjection of Women, and Utilitarianism.  Introduction by J. B. Schneewind, and commentary by Dale E. Miller.  New York, Modern Library, 2002.  Index, notes, 400 pages.  ISBN: 9780375759185.  VSCL. 


Utilitarianism, On Liberty and Other Essays (Oxford World's Classics)  By John Stuart Mill, 1806-1873.  Edited by Mark Philp and Frederick Rosen.  Oxford University Press, Second Edition, 2015.  608 pages.  ISBN: 978-0199670802. 

 

 

                                       

 

 

 

V


Virtue Ethics  By Mike Garofalo. 


Virtues and the Good Life Website.  Quotations, Sayings, Notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.  From the Hypertext Notebooks of Mike Garofalo


Vitality, Vigor, Grit, Enthusiasm - Quotations


Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin


VSCL = Valley Spirit Center Library, Red Bluff, California, Library of Michael P. Garofalo

 

 

W

 

Walking Pleasures  


The Way Of The Good Hedonist  By D. D. Worden.  Edge of the World Press, 2013.  176 pages.  ISBN: 978-0615838540. 


Well Being and Fitness: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Lessons    Website by Mike Garofalo. 


What Is Ancient Philosophy?  By Pierre Hadot.  Translated from the French by Michael Chase.  Cambridge, Massachusetts, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2002.  Index, chronology, bibliography, notes, 362 pages.  First published in French in 1995.  2004 Belknap reprint edition.  ISBN: 978-0674013735.  VSCL. 


What Is Good and Why: The Ethics of Well-Being  By Richard Kraut.  Harvard university Press, 2009.  304 pages.  ISBN: 9780674032378.  A defense of an Aristotelian theory of ethics. 


What Is This Thing Called Happiness?  By Fred Feldman.  Oxford University Press, 2012.  304 pages.  ISBN: 978-0199645930. 


Willpower, Determination, Resolve, Perseverance   Quotations, sayings, recommended reading, and notes compiled by Mike Garofalo.  


Wisdom of Catius' Cat.  Comics by Cassius Amicus. 


The Wisdom of Pleasures: "The School of Voluptuousness" and "The Art of Enjoyment."  By Julien Offray de La Mettrie.  Originally published in 1747.  Translated from the French by Kirk Watson.  Amazon Digital Publishing, 2014.  82 pages.  VSCL. 

 

 

Aristippus, from Cyrene, Libya
(435 BCE – 356 BCE)

 

 

Y


Yang Zhu's Garden of Pleasure: The Philosophy of Individuality.  Edited by Rosemary Brant.  Astrolog Pub., 2006.   128 pages.  ISBN: 9789654942065. 


Yang Zhu, Master Yang, Chinese Philosopher, Yang Zi, 440–360 BCE.  Ethical Egoist, hedonist, Epicurean.   "Each for himself" or "wei wo."    


Yang Zhu - Ancient History Encyclopedia


Yangism    "Yangism has been described as a form of psychological and ethical egoism. The Yangist philosophers believed in the importance of maintaining self-interest through "keeping one's nature intact, protecting one's uniqueness, and not letting the body be tied by other things."  Disagreeing with the Confucian virtues of li (propriety), ren (humaneness), and yi (righteousness) and the Legalist virtue of fa (law), the Yangists saw wei wo, or "everything for myself," as the only virtue necessary for self-cultivation.  Individual pleasure is considered desirable, like in hedonism, but not at the expense of the health of individual.  The Yangists saw individual well-being as the prime purpose of life, and considered anything that hindered that well-being immoral and unnecessary." 


The Year of Pleasures: A Novel  By Elizabeth Berg.  Ballantine Books, 2006.  225 pages.  ISBN: 9780812970999. 


Yoga - Hatha Yoga

 

 

Z

 

Zen

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu, Zhuang Zhou, Master Chuang, Kwang-dze)  369—286 BCE   Compiled by Mike Garofalo. 

 

 

 

                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

 

Epicureans, Hedonists, Cyrenaics, Free Thought, Skeptical, Liberal, Individualists
Secular, Scientific, Humanistic, Non-Religious, and Utilitarian Thinkers

Chronology 

 

Brihaspati (600 BCE)  Information: Charvaka Lokayatika School

Aristippus of Cyrene (435–356 BCE)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Lao Tzu (450 BCE)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Yang Zhu (440-360 BCE)  Information:  Ancient History Encyclopedia, Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Aristotle (384–322 BCE)   Information: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.  

Epicurus (341-270 BCE)  Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyWikipedia Encyclopedia Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Titus Lucretius Carus (99-55 BCE)   Information:   Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Sextus Empiricus (160-210 CE)  Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Al-Ma'arri (973-1057)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia  

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

John Locke (1602-1734)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Anne Ninon de l'Enclos (1620-1705)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Jean Meslier (1664-1729)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Julien Offray de La Mettrie (1709-1751)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Baron D'Holbach (1723-1789)  Information: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)  Information:  Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)  Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Wikipedia Encyclopedia Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)  Information:  Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Karl Marx (1818-1883)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Frederick Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844–1900)   Information 

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

John Dewey (1859-1952)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)  Information:  Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Carl Rogers (1902-1987)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Albert Ellis (1913-2007)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Murray Bookchin (1921-2016)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

José Saramago (1922-2010)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia  

Hugh Hefner (1926-)  Information:  Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Jonathan Miller (1934-)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Woody Allen (1935-)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Richard Dawkins (1941-)  Information:  Wikipedia Encyclopedia

David Bowie (1947-2016)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia  

Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Michel Onfray (1959-)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia 

Sam Harris (1967-)  Information: Wikipedia Encyclopedia

 

I share many of the philosophical and non-religious views so persuasively and emphatically expressed by Dan Barker, Jeremy Bentham, Luther Burbank, André Comte-Sponville, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, John Dewey, Albert Ellis, Epicurus, A.C. Grayling, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Baron d'Holbach, David HumeThomas Jefferson, Robert Ingersoll, Paul Kurtz, Corliss Lamont, John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Nietzsche, Thomas Paine, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, Michel OnfrayAyn Rand, Richard Rorty, Bertrand Russell, Carl Sagan, Friedrich Schleirmacher, Baruch Spinoza, George Smith, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and many other intelligent, hard working, courageous, forthright, dynamic, honest, fulfilled, and wise persons.  These free-thinkers give me hope!  Many, but not all, favored Epicurean and Hedonistic viewpoints.  These persons often had different political and social viewpoints.  All were and non-religious or atheists.  Most were materialists. 

 

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

 

Don't Be Misled by the Name-Calling Haters of Hedonism

 

Insults, Aspersions, Misconceptions, Lies, Epithets, Falsehoods,
Name-Calling,
Untruths, or
Red-Herring Fallacies,
About Hedonism
                                   Hedonistic, Epicurean, Skeptical and Utilitarian Views and Possible Responses
     

 

Selfish pleasures

 
Mutual enjoyment and cooperation are essential to a happy life.  Total selfishness significantly reduces your options for obtaining security, friendships, peace of mind, and a wide range of dignified pleasures.  Pleasures and delight are enhanced by sharing. 
 
Piggish behavior, boorish


 
We are not pigs; but pigs and humans are animals.  Animals have feelings, enjoy pleasure, and avoid pain just as we do.  Putting down pigs is a favorite ritualistic pastime of Jews and Muslims.  Human beings enjoy a far wider range of pleasures than many animals.  Pigs, like humans, are omnivorous─and when hungry will eat most anything.  Universal education, frequent reading, common courtesy, and good manners will help reduce boorishness.

 
Sexual licentiousness

 
Sexual and loving relationships between consenting adults are enjoyed by people everywhere.  Some people are very fearful and neurotic about enjoying sexual pleasures, but most people are not.  Hedonists don't advocate licentiousness. 
 
Crude and dirty To overcome "dirtiness": take a bath, wear clean clothes, and clean your house.  I don't find most Epicureans any "cruder" than the average educated and cultured Jane or Joe.  Many people lack sophistication and education, and speak and act in a "crude" manner; but, if they are not harming others, I just mind my own business and leave them alone.  Some stuffy Puritan and rigid types believe many ordinary behaviors are "crude and dirty."  Social customs vary greatly─so when in Oregon do as the Oregonians do. 
 
Ungodly We are humans, not imaginary supernatural beings.  Yes, many Hedonists are non-religious or atheists; some are not.  There are numerous New Age or ancient spirituality and positive somatic practices that appeal to Hedonists. 
 
Unbridled sensuality We learn via our senses, we manage our sensual experiences, we are practical and reasonable about the degree and extent of our sensual pleasures, and we avoid pain and discomfort.  Yes, we enjoy and take delight in sensual pleasures of all kinds, from the simple (drinking clean water) to very complex (walking in a beautiful garden, listening to Mozart).  We are not horses that need a bridle in our teeth, so as to be led around and overworked by owners.  A smart and sensible Hedonist knows the dangers of overindulgence in dangerous pleasurable activities─they think long run.

 

Not a Christian, Muslim or Jew Be a freethinker, reject spurious theology, avoid the self-serving lies and misconceptions of religious leaders, acknowledge the pernicious effects of organized religion.  Followers of these religions are typically anti-body, anti-sensual, fearful, neurotic about petty and arbitrary rules, submissive, and obsessed with other worldly fictions.  You don't need to believe or practice these religions to be a good or happy person.  These religions have historically despised and persecute hedonists, violators of the creeds, non-conformists, advocates of pleasure and delight. 

 

A mere pleasure seeker There are many kinds of activities that produce pleasure and delight, both mental and physical.  If an activity produces little or no pleasure, or pain, then stop doing that activity.  Hedonists do seek of maximize pleasure and delight in the long run─merely a sensible objective.  Some people are merely pain, discomfort, and unhappiness seekers─pessimists, paranoids, neurotics, depressives.  To believe that Hedonists are only gluttons, drug addicts, and sexual compulsives is a completely false view. 

 

Wallow in pleasure Swimming or relaxing in a hot tub is pleasurable, enjoyable, fun.  Swimming and playing in the warm sea is a delight.  Wallow away!  I guess some prudes don't want to take their clothes off to enjoy these simple pleasures, but I will take wallowing in a hot shower anytime. 

 

Chastity is best If you like being chaste, then fine, enjoy that experience.  Do what you want to do, your not hurting anyone by chastity, masturbating, or enjoying sexual relations.  Ascetics like the calmness and uncomplicated lifestyle of chastity - but to think this is ideal and best is an opinion shared by few.

 

Hedonists get diseases Everyone is subject to getting diseases and dying─no exceptions.  Use sound medical science to learn about diseases and prevent them.  Be trim, fit, and healthy and enjoy your life.  Support medical and social measures to reduce the occurrence of diseases and the suffering and pain they can bring. 

 

A sinner, immoral, bad, evil Every religion has different conceptions of sinful behavior.  It is best not to rely on a religious persons definition of "sin," or bother with such wishy-washy and divergent moral/social fancies.  Not following another persons rules and regulations when they provide you with no pleasure or pain seems a sensible alternative.  Some people believe everyone is born sinful, unworthy, and prone to evil; but, the facts of life don't support such nonsense. 

 

Disgusting Simple pleasures are "disgusting" only to persons who have distorted views about human bodies, pleasure haters, or have very limited experiences with refined and elevating pleasures and delights.  Disgusting events usually produce discomfort, revulsion, anxiety, or pain─and are avoided by hedonists.

 

Lazy Lotus Eater Honest labor is often very pleasurable and satisfying.  Just about everyone works for a living.  Hedonists are not lazy.  "Lotus Eater" I assume refers to using recreational drugs.  Any intelligent person knows that drug addictions might ruin your mind, destroy your good health, and even kill you─and all hedonists try to avoid pain, suffering, and death.  Marx called religion the "opiate for the masses"─and priests an imams manufacture lotus opiates for dummies. 

 

Libertine An aspersion for somebody priests, preachers, and imams don't like.  Libertines revolted in Geneva in 1555 against the theocratic rule of John Calvin.  Hedonists do favor liberty and privacy; they do not support lying, murder, stealing, criminal activity, debauchery without a conscience, recklessness, etc.  Hedonists might be anti-establishment depending upon the situation and degree of oppression; but non-hedonists also use violence for their ends. 

 

Self-centered Most people are concerned about themselves, their well being, their health, and their loved ones.  Friendship is a central core value for hedonists because of the pleasure and security provided to all parties.  A poorly developed sense of self is likely to produce uneasiness, slavishness, sadness, and pain. 

 

Shameful Pleasures, delights, satisfaction, contentment, happiness, peace of mind ... these are not "shameful."  Shaming is frequently a a concern of sexual pleasure haters, rigid believers, puritans─not hedonists.  Murdering someone is shameful; enjoying a cold glass of wine and a vegetarian casserole is not shameful.  Hedonists are a good deal more sophisticated and precise than those playing the shame game. 

 

Unrealistic Hedonists support experience, science, reasoning, facts, skepticism, and practicality.  Most hedonists are materialists and naturalists.  Most hedonists don't believe in supernatural fancies, magic, mysticism, myths, and miracles. 

 

Cowards Hedonists favor minding their own business, Wu Wei, and try to minimize the need for arguing, fighting, and killing.  Epicureans tended to favor small and agreeable communities, political disengagement, and they eschewed political and religious violence.  They are often skeptical of political nonsense and blind patriotism.  When their backs are against the wall, like most folks, they can be quite courageous fighters.  Glorifying violence, destruction, pain, and suffering is not part of their creed; but, reasonable self-defense is not rejected. 

 

Childish Many pleasures we enjoyed as children do provide the same delights to adults.  Many experiences that are harmless, fun, delightful, and invigorating are enjoyed by adults and children. Don't put down children; enjoy life with them. 

 

You will go to hell When you die, it is over for you─no body, no consciousness.  When your dead you will not experience pleasures or pains─what was "you" has vanished.  Hell is a fiction anyway.  Many religious people use intimidation, threats and fear to coerce you to follow their arbitrary orders─pain and punishment are their boring and tiresome games. 

 

Profligates Some hedonists are profligates, most are not.  Some people are excessive in their pursuits of pleasure or pain for themselves or others─unwisely.  Hedonists recognize and limit excessive behaviors. 

 

Animalistic

 

Yes, we are animals; hardly a great insight.  Humans are often worse than animals in causing pain and destruction.  Before Charles Darwin the common opinion was that human beings have rational and spiritual powers, were created specially by a Divine Being, and men (maybe not women) were not animals despite obvious evidence to the contrary.  Comparing a person you don't like to some animal you don't like or fear is a common weak insult. 

 

Tasteless "De gustibus non est disputandum" ... In matters of taste, there can be no dispute.  One man's meat is another man's poison.  Nevertheless, despite aphorisms to the contrary, I do believe that reasonable distinctions and judgments can be made about values and matters of "taste."  However, in the end, what is chosen by the individual depends upon personal preferences, education, upbringing, wealth, and opportunity.  I like to read philosophy, garden, eat Northwest cuisine, listen to mellow jazz, and play taijiquan; while other seniors like to watch NASCAR on television, gamble at the local casino, shop at WalMart, swoon over Garth Brooks, and eat at McDonalds.  Que sera, sera

 

   
   

 

 

 

 

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Hedonism in Fictional Works

Also:  Epicureans, Cynics, Cyrenaics, Skeptics, Peripatetics (Aristotelians) in Fiction

 

Novels, Plays, Television, Movies, Stories, Fables, Poems, Magazines

Novels


Against Nature by Joris-Karl Huys, 1884.  Epicurean. 

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, 1957.  Aristotelian. 

Brave New World by Aldos Huxley, 1932.   

Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782

Epicurean by Thomas Moore, 1857.  Epicurean. 

Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1926. 

Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann, 1929. 

Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater, 1885.   Epicurean. 

Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, 1890. 

Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust, 1926. 

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, 1926.     

Ulysses by James Joyce, 1922.  Epicurean. 

 

 


Characters in Fictional Works or Television Programs or Motion Pictures


 


Essays on Hedonism in Literature or Film


Feeling Like a Stoic: Doris Lessing

 

 

 

 

"The following are ten basic ethical tenets of Epicureanism – how should we live? What is the goal of living? How should we pursue that goal?

1.  Don’t be concerned about “gods” –  supernatural beings do not exist, and even if there are any “perfect” higher beings they are not concerned with mankind.  The only way to dismiss superstition and fear from life is to live intelligently, and therefore confidently, and this requires that we study the world around us (and science) and employ the faculties of observation given us by Nature (the Epicurean Canon of Truth).

2. Pleasurable living is the ultimate goal of life set by nature. We can do this by filling our lives with good things, avoiding pain, studying nature and striving for safety and independence.  This implies avoiding people who are disagreeable and who cause you fear, anxiety or displeasure.

3. Even if you are not able to rid yourself of  all pain and anxiety,  pleasurable living is possible. Strong pain generally lasts a short time, and even of it lasts a long time, it is generally mild.  This implies that in difficult times one should try to be patient, for most bad things pass.

4. It is possible for us to attain the maximum pleasure if we pursue it intelligently.  This implies thinking, not just about yourself, but about the interests and pleasure of others as well.

5. No pleasure is bad in itself, but some pleasures bring more pain than the pleasure justifies. And no single pleasure should be pursued to the point where it consumes our lives, because if it did so there would never be any room for any other pleasures.  This implies moderation in all things.

6.  “Virtue” is simply the name we give to the necessary tools by which pleasurable living can be attained. It is not possible to live pleasurably without these tools, nor is it possible to employ these tools properly without living pleasurably.

7.  Men can live wisely and pursue pleasure intelligently because they are free agents and their actions are not wholly determined by outside force.

8.  If we live wisely we will see that our most important tool of happiness and security is friendship with people of like mind, attitude and loyalty.

9.  The only true foundation of Justice is mutually advantageous agreement among intelligent beings to neither do or receive harm from each other.  This implies putting the emphasis on compromise where necessary, peace of mind, and the avoidance of unnecessary antagonism and the stress it brings.

10.   While there is no such thing as absolute or universal justice or injustice, the justice we can enjoy is founded on mutually advantageous agreements.  This implies that relationships that change over time and become less mutually advantageous can be considered no longer just."

Epicurus Today Blog: Moderation, Enjoyment of Life, Tranquility, Friendship, Lack of Fear.  By Robert Hanrott.  2016

 

 

 

 

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Recommended Reading List

Hedonism, Epicurean, Aristotelian, Egoism, Utilitarian 


Although the focus of this webpage is on the Hedonists and Epicureans, and the majority of the books and essays listed in the above bibliography are about Hedonism, I have also included books and articles about the other Hellenistic philosophies that Hedonists or Epicureans were familiar with and even admired.   Since the above bibliography is somewhat comprehensive, and includes books that I have not as yet read, I thought it might be beneficial to others if I gave some suggestions as to some of the "best" books that I have read on the subject of Hedonism and Epicureanism and related subjects.  Persons just beginning to explore the Hedonists might find the following books useful to them. 

These paperbound books are also available in hardbound, digital formats for ebook readers, and from numerous used book sellers. 

Here are my first recommendations for good books to read about Hedonism:

 

How to be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well.  By Catherine Wilson, Ph.D.  New York, Basic Books, 2019.  293 pages, notes.  I think that Professor Catherine Wilson has a through understanding of Epicurean history and philosophy.  She provides many key insights into how to we might reflect on our lives today, using Epicurean ideas and principles.  Her writing is clear, balanced, and uplifting.  VSCL.


A Hedonist Manifesto   By Michel Onfray.  Translated and with a good introduction by Joseph McClellan.  Columbia University Press, 2015.  232 pages.  Insurrections: Critical Studies in Religion, Politics, and Culture.  ISBN:  978-0231171267.   Michel Onfray (1959-) is a French philosopher and public intellectual who founded and teaches at the free Popular University of Caen.  He has written more than sixty books in French, many of them best sellers.  His writing style is rich with comparisons and philosophical references, contemporary in scope, and for the advanced and knowledgeable reader.  Generally, he does not use  of obtuse philosophical jargon like you might encounter in Merleau-Ponty, Heidegger, Foucault, or Sartre.  I find his critical and skeptical thinking quite insightful and convincing.  He discusses art, bioethics, the body, politics, and intellectual history.  The book begins with a detailed discussion of his very negative experiences in a Catholic Salesian orphanage, and his uncaring mother.  He exposes the the philosophical underpinnings of non-Hedonistic or anti-Hedonist views.  He is an articulate atheist in the French tradition.  He is excellent in criticism; however, I don't find is presentation of the positive values of Hedonism very rich with examples and details─maybe that is found in his other books.  There are some of his lifestyle recommendations that I personally don't favor, just as preferences, not based on ethical objections.  His distain for America seems lopsided.  He favors individual changes, small communities, minimalist government, a libertarian utilitarianism.  Unfortunately, only two of his books have been translated into English.  I have the E-book Kindle version, VSCL. 


Epicurus and the Pleasant Life: A Philosophy of Nature.  By Haris Dimitriadis.  1st Edition, 2017.  516 pages.  ISBN: 978-9609384568.  Also EBook format.  VSCL. 

 
The Art of Happiness.  By Epicurus.  Translation, introduction, and commentary by George K. Strodach.  A foreword by Daniel Klein,  Penguin Classics, Reissue edition, 2012.  272 pages.  ISBN:  978-0143107217.  "The teachings of Epicurus—about life and death, religion and science, physical sensation, happiness, morality, and friendship—attracted legions of adherents throughout the ancient Mediterranean world and deeply influenced later European thought. Though Epicurus faced hostile opposition for centuries after his death, he counts among his many admirers Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Jefferson, Karl Marx, and Isaac Newton. This volume includes all of his extant writings—his letters, doctrines, and Vatican sayings—alongside parallel passages from the greatest exponent of his philosophy, Lucretius, extracts from Diogenes Laertius' Life of Epicurus, a lucid introductory essay about Epicurean philosophy, and a foreword by Daniel Klein, author of Travels with Epicurus."   VSCL. 


Pursuits of Wisdom: Six Ways of Life in Ancient Philosophy from Socrates to Plotinus  By John M. Cooper.  Princeton University Press, 2012.  Index, bibliography, end notes, further reading list, 442 pages.  ISBN: 978-0691159706.  Chapter 5, pp. 226-304: The Epicurean and Skeptic Ways of Life.  Excellent discussion of the key ideas of Greek philosophers regarding the best way of living one's life.  Philosophies of life discussed include the views of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Stoics, Epicureans, and Plotinus.  VSCL.


Happiness: A History  By Darrin M. McMahon.  New York, Atlantic Monthly Press, Grove Press, 2006.  Index, notes, 544 pages.  ISBN: 97808022142894.  VSCL. 


Lucretius: The Way Things Are: The Way Things Are: The De Rerum Natura of Titus Lucretius Carus.  Translated by Rolfe Humphries.  Written by Titus Lucretius Carus in around 60 BCE.  Bloomington, Indiana, University of Indiana Press, 1968.  Notes, 255 pages.  ISBN: 9780253201256.  Lucretius was an Epicurean Hellenistic philosopher.  VSCL. 


Cloud Hands Blog.  By Michael P. Garofalo.  Over 2,400 indexed posts on well being, philosophy, somaesthetics, taijiquan, qigong, walking, gardening, yoga, Taoism, hedonism, and spirituality.  Over 1.4 million page views as of 9/24/2020.    

 

 

 

 

 

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Research by
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This webpage was last edited, expanded, revised, modified or updated on August 23, 2020.         

This webpage was first distributed online on October 13, 2015. 

 

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