Living for Pleasure

Reviews / Votes

The clarity and concision of Austin's prose means that she covers many more of the details of Epicurean thought in her 24 short chapters. Anyone seduced by the recent fashion for Stoicism should read her book to see why their biggest contemporary rival offers a better model for living. * Julian Baggini, The Guardian * Austin shows us, vividly and directly, how Epicurean ideas can apply to areas of everyday life and how they can help us uncover-and deal with-deep-seated problems that stand in the way of living a balanced, thoughtful, and enjoyable life. She does a stellar job of showing us, incisively and sympathetically, that Epicurus gives us a philosophy to live by and that we can actually live by it. * Julia Annas, Regents Professor Emerita, University of Arizona * Austin provides an accessible and intellectually rigorous overview of Epicureanism that remains refreshingly forthright about the limits of Epicurus's advice and keeps an appropriately light tone... The result is an excellent primer on Epicureanism. * Publishers Weekly * Simply the best guide to living as an Epicurean. Austin's discussion is grounded in a thorough understanding of Epicurean philosophy, but it's written in a humorous and accessible style, and she does an outstanding job of applying Epicureanism to the problems facing people today. * Timothy S. O'Keefe, author of Epicureanism * Wise, witty, and above all a pleasure to read, Austin's study of Epicureanism is excellent medicine for the many illnesses and anxieties of the 21st century. Read it and be refreshed. * Clancy Martin, Professor of Philosophy, University of Missouri-Kansas City * Living for Pleasure is a terrific introduction to Epicureanism, especially its practical side. If offers a clear and accessible guide through some difficult ideas, all with a deft personal touch and a convincing case for the value of this philosophy for us today. Who knew Epicurus could help us navigate social media? * Richard Bett, author of How to Keep an Open Mind: An Ancient Guide to Thinking Like a Skeptic * Examining the tenets of Epicureanism in fine detail, Austin provides the audience with her insightful interpretations throughout and offers a kindred spirit to all readers who seek the finer things in life. * Booklist * Of particular note are the two chapters exploring the enigmatic Epicurean dictum to live quietly or live unnoticed...In today's world the advice is both refreshing and reassuring. * Alex Moran, TLS * Philosophy has traditionally concerned itself with two main questions. What is the world like? And how ought we to live in it?...Contemporary philosophy tends not to concern itself with this second question. This is unfortunate, especially because philosophy is meant to be the very discipline that acquires wisdom. That said, the recent Guides to the Good Life series, edited by Stephen Grimm, stands as a welcome corrective. Each book is written by an expert in the field and explores the question of how to live from a unique philosophical perspective, in an accessible register. The series cannot be praised too highly... * TLS * This is an extraordinary, fascinating, and entertainingly written book. Austin (Wake Forest Univ.) provides a comprehensive scholarly analysis of the philosophy of Epicurus (341-270 BCE), concentrating on the Epicurean mantra that human happiness is to be found in the experience of pleasure, thoughtfully understood as minimizing anxieties and pursuing the aspects of life that have true and perpetual meaning. Austin's approach is unique in that she interweaves this Epicurean philosophy into contemporary and popular approaches (some of them misleading) to the enrichment of everyday life. Released in the 'Guides to the Good Life' series, this is a work of applied philosophy. Notes and references are excellent...Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. * Choice * This is an extraordinary, fascinating, and entertainingly written book... Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers. * Choice *