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A review by keniasedler
How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well by Catherine Wilson
3.0
I liked this book (3 stars), and I probably would have said I really liked this book by giving it 4 stars if it had been my first introduction to Epicureanism. As it is, I've already deeply read and studied Lucretius's On The Nature Of The Universe (and, as a result, consider myself to be a modern-day Epicurean), which I believe to be a magnificent work of philosophy, poetry, art, as well as ancient science. If you are already a student of Epicureanism, then you could probably skip Wilson's book.
Where Catherine Wilson's book is highly valuable is that it provides an accessible entry point for the average person to learn what Epicureanism is (what it really is; i.e. not drinking and sex and general debauchery, which its opponents would have you believe) and that its introduction to the philosophy is being widely distributed to the masses by it's popular publication. It is, inasmuch, providing a great public good, and in that sense, I'm extremely glad to have supported it by purchasing and reading it.
From the chapter, The Meaningful Life:
"...meaningful actions link my agency to [a] wider reality. So it is understandable that merely eating and drinking, even with enjoyment, and hanging around with friendly others, does not seem to be enough for meaningfulness.
The most satisfying activities in life are those that substitute knowledge for ignorance and that bring order and beauty into the world, repairing damage and overcoming disorder.
...
What makes life feel meaningful is doing what you are able to do to a certain standard that you set yourself, caring for those whom you like and love and being cared for by them."
Where Catherine Wilson's book is highly valuable is that it provides an accessible entry point for the average person to learn what Epicureanism is (what it really is; i.e. not drinking and sex and general debauchery, which its opponents would have you believe) and that its introduction to the philosophy is being widely distributed to the masses by it's popular publication. It is, inasmuch, providing a great public good, and in that sense, I'm extremely glad to have supported it by purchasing and reading it.
From the chapter, The Meaningful Life:
"...meaningful actions link my agency to [a] wider reality. So it is understandable that merely eating and drinking, even with enjoyment, and hanging around with friendly others, does not seem to be enough for meaningfulness.
The most satisfying activities in life are those that substitute knowledge for ignorance and that bring order and beauty into the world, repairing damage and overcoming disorder.
...
What makes life feel meaningful is doing what you are able to do to a certain standard that you set yourself, caring for those whom you like and love and being cared for by them."