THE PHILOSOPHY OF EPICURUS

"Epicureanism," despite its modern-day connotations of hedonism, has more to do with living a mindful, uncomplicated life. Epicurus-who was born at Samos, Greece, in 341 BC and died at Athens in 279 BC-founded a school of philosophy that focused on maximizing simple pleasures and minimizing pain, such as the irrational fear of death.