Epicurus: His Continuing Influence and Contemporary Relevance

The philosophy of Epicurus (c. 341–271 B. C. E.), has been a quietly pervasive influence for more than two millennia. At present, when many long revered ideologies are proven empty, Epicureanism is powerfully and refreshingly relevant, offering a straightforward way of dealing with the issues of life and death. The chapters in this book provide a kaleidoscope of contemporary opinions about Epicurus' teachings. They tell us also about the archeological discoveries that promise to augment the scant remains we have of Epicurus's own writing. the breadth of this new work will be welcomed by those who value Epicurean philosophy as a scholarly and personal resource for contemporary life. "Epicurus: His Continuing Influence and Contemporary Relevance," is the title of a 2002 conference on Epicurus held at Rochester Institute of Technology, when many of the ideas here were first presented.

Dane R. Gordon is Professor Emeritus in Philosophy at Rochester Institute of Technology. His books include: A Feeling Intellect and a Thinking Heart (University Press of America, 2002), Philosophy and Vision (Rodopi, 1998, first published in Polish in 1995), The Old Testament in its Theological, Cultural and Historical Context (Prentice-Hall, 1985, and UPS, 1994), and Thinking and Reading in Philosophy of Religion (Haven, 1994).

David B. Suits is Professor of Philosophy at Rochester Institute of Technology. His current research interests include the philosophy of death, the philosophy of mind, artificial intelligence, and the nature of empathy. He is finishing a book, The Singularity of Death: An Epicurean Perspective.