Epicureans
Ataraxia-seeking ancient thinkers
Epicureans are followers of Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher who taught that pleasure—particularly tranquil pleasure and freedom from pain—is the highest good.
The philosophy emphasized simple living and friendship over luxury.
In modern use, epicurean (often lowercase) describes someone devoted to refined sensory pleasures, especially food and drink: an epicurean feast, epicurean tastes.
The modern sense has drifted from the original philosophy, which advocated moderation rather than indulgence.
Pursuit of gratification
- atomismDiscrete particles compose everything
- ataraxiaImperturbable peace of mind
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
- GardenNamed place designation
Lucretius · materialism · tranquility · void · swerve · gods · death · friendship
Those prioritizing personal enjoyment
- hedonistsPursuers of sensual delight
- sensualistsPursuers of physical pleasure
- sybaritesDevotees of luxury
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
indulgence · comfort · aesthetes · enjoyment · leisure · gratification · opulence · decadence
Enthusiastic eaters, sometimes excessive
- connoisseursExpert judges of quality
- foodiesDevoted culinary enthusiasts
- bon vivantsSociable luxury lovers
- gastronomesExperts in fine eating
palate · delicacies · gourmet · savoring · cuisine · tasting · indulgence · refinement
hedonism
Pursuit of gratification
- atomismDiscrete particles compose everything
- ataraxiaImperturbable peace of mind
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
Garden · Lucretius · materialism · tranquility · void · swerve · gods · death · friendship · Democritus
pleasure-seekers
Those prioritizing personal enjoyment
- hedonistsPursuers of sensual delight
- sensualistsPursuers of physical pleasure
- sybaritesDevotees of luxury
luxury · indulgence · comfort · aesthetes · enjoyment · leisure · gratification · opulence · decadence · refinement
gourmands
Enthusiastic eaters, sometimes excessive
- connoisseursExpert judges of quality
- foodiesDevoted culinary enthusiasts
- bon vivantsSociable luxury lovers
gastronomes · palate · delicacies · gourmet · savoring · cuisine · tasting · indulgence · refinement · sommelier
- Ancient PhilosophersSocrates, Aristotle, Plato, Pythagoras, Seneca
- ancient philosophyPlato, Aristotle, Socrates, Platonism, Stoicism
- Ancient ThinkersAristotle, Plato, Socrates, Confucius, Thales
- Greek classicsHomer, Iliad, Plato, Odyssey, Aristotle
- Greek educationacademy, lyceum, gymnasium, palestra, pedagogy
- AtomistsDemocritus, Lucretius, Dalton
Epicureansascetics
People practicing severe self-discipline
renunciants · abstainers · monastics · flagellants · Desert Fathers