Reviews

The Pleasure Principle by Catherine Wilson

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ninabina's review against another edition

2.0

Would've been a three if the author hadn't written about Stoicism, of which she obviously knows absolutely nothing.

To anyone considering reading this book, just please please disregard everything she says about Stoicism. There's an article that Massimo Pigliucci (the author of How to Be a Stoic) wrote that explains some of the the things she got wrong about Stoicism in her book: https://medium.com/stoicism-philosophy-as-a-way-of-life/catherine-wilson-an-epicurean-is-again-wrong-about-stoicism-50b105447f20

Outside of that, I generally liked the overview of Epicureanism. However, I would've liked some more practical tips and more about the ethics of Epicureanism.

staypositive's review against another edition

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informative relaxing slow-paced

3.0

jamesrawillis's review against another edition

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3.0

Wilson does a great job expanding not just a basic understanding of Epicureanism in an ancient sense, but goes into detail about how it applies to modern day life. There is also ample discussion in differentiating it from other schools of thought, and more specifically dispenses with many of the absurd fallacies levied against this particular philosophy. Worth a read for anyone, but definitely for those interested in philosophy, ancient Greek philosophy, and Epicureanism in particular.

bbreads's review against another edition

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3.0

Full of personal biases and opinions that are not borne out of epicureanism. It’s built and reads like a textbook, but loses its linear flow halfway throughout the book. I love the topic so much and it deserved to have the modern perspective. The first half of the book is amazing, but it should have stopped there.

mikecross's review against another edition

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4.0

Very good overview and very relate-able to today, bringing an ancient philosophy into modern times. My only concern is where does the philosophy end and the author's opinion begin. Enjoyable.

nicsensay's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

A great attempt but, given the book is being marketed to a general audience, occasionally veers into overly academic territory. I would have enjoyed more day-to-day how-to scenarios backed up with examples from the old texts. Epicureanism is incredibly relevant to life today and I hope to see more books challenging the stoicism “of the moment”…