Response to Epicurus Philosophy

PQR 2: Epicurus (341-270 BCE) – This Greek philosopher is noted for having said:

“Death need not concern us because when we exist death does not, and when
death exists we do not.”

Epicurus and Epicureanism, has suffered for many years from a
misapprehension about what his philosophy teaches. Epicureanism is a
hedonistic philosophy in that it teaches that pleasure is to be sought, but only to
the extent that pleasure is the freedom from pain and fear. Epicurus also taught
on the gods and death. Epicurus is famous today for his questions regarding the
problem of evil existing if there are gods and for this statement about death.
Because death, being dead rather than dying, involves no pain, for Epicurus the
state of death is a good thing (or at least not to be feared). Epicurus is well
beloved of atheists and humanists today because of his rational outlook. In the
Roman period, tombs of Epicureans would have this carved on their tombs- I
was not. I was. I am not. I do not care.

What is your response to this philosopher’s perspective?

Related questions to consider (You do not
need to respond to these in your assignment
response)

Is death “evil”? Is it “good”?

What is it about death that is so troublesome or
fearful for people?

If death is, as many people believe, a state of
happiness and bliss, why is it that those same
people strive so intently on staying alive, thus
putting off entering into that state as quickly as
possible? (Shouldn’t they want to die?)

Answer preview:

word limit:681