Epikur

Epikur (341-270 BCE) is the German-form stored name for Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who founded Epicureanism. His surviving writings include the Letter to Menoeceus, Principal Doctrines, Vatican Sayings, and fragments preserved by later authors, while Lucretius helped transmit Epicurean ideas in Latin poetry. Epikur mattered because he argued that philosophy should free people from fear, especially fear of gods, death, pain, and endless desire. He taught that pleasure is the goal of life, but understood the highest pleasure as tranquility, friendship, moderation, and freedom from disturbance rather than luxury. His school, the Garden, admitted women and enslaved people, making it unusual in ancient philosophy. His quotes endure because they redefine wealth as wanting little, not owning much. His teaching still makes freedom depend on disciplined desire rather than abundance.

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