Heads up: New Book Coming in 2027

    https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250454256/theartofenough/

    The Art of Enough: The Ancient Epicurean Philosophy of Finding and Keeping Happiness

    Author: Jonny Thomson

    Book Details
    A modern-day guide to the ancient philosophy of Epicureanism, celebrating a radical new mindset: We already have what we need in order to be happy.

    Life can be exhausting; there is always more to do and more to strive for. This quest for optimization has found a popular ally in Stoicism, a philosophy of self-mastery and determination. But in a restless world, this impossible hustle is making us unhappy. When all we want is more, we find that we never have quite enough.

    Thousands of years ago, Epicurus argued that we need philosophy to offer a better way forward. And so, in a world where anxiety, loneliness, and isolation are increasingly normalized, we need more than endurance. We need a mindset that helps us thrive in the world as it is. We need Epicureanism.

    In The Art of Enough, popular philosopher Jonny Thomson blends together ancient Greek philosophy and contemporary science to show how we can deal with the beautiful, messy realities of life. Through real-life examples and philosophical principles, Thomson shows how the Epicurean ideals of introspection, close friendship, and commitment can teach us to enjoy the many pleasures we’re simply too anxious to see.

    Intelligent, warm, and timely, The Art of Enough is not a book about wanting less. It’s a book about finally appreciating what enough looks like—and discovering it was there all along.

    Thanks, Don ...at first glance it looks intriguing, though it's a fairly vague general description. Perhaps it is written for middle age folks who really do "have it all" but for some reason still feel unhappy. We have VS68 which touches on the idea of "enough" ---> "Nothing is enough to one for whom enough is very little."

    Yet, for younger folks, the book author's statement: "We already have what we need in order to be happy" is not going to be a helpful thing to hear for those who actually do need to put in more effort into getting their lives in order (gaining work experience, building financal sufficiency, building friendships, dating if they wish to find a partner and start a family.)

    But basically I just wanted to speak up to say that the idea of just accepting your life "as it is" is not Epicurean.

    Epicureanism is about understanding that we all need to make wise choices in life -- and take action when needed -- and as VS41 says: "One must laugh and seek wisdom and tend to one's home life and use one's other goods, and always recount the pronouncements of true philosophy."

    As I checked it out, I stumbled on this: The Art of Enough: Epicurus and Modern Life by Andrew Shawcross. Haven't read it, but might take a look.

    THE ART OF ENOUGH: Epicurus and Modern Life
    THE ART OF ENOUGH: Epicurus and Modern Life
    www.amazon.com

    "We must try to make the end of the journey better than the beginning, as long as we are journeying; but when we come to the end, we must be happy and content." (Vatican Saying 48)

    I have started it. Thus far, Shawcross does a good job of dismantling the slanders against Epicureanism as a philosophy of gluttony and self-indulgent licentiousness – caricatures that are carried over in modern notions of what it means to be an “epicurean.” He also explains the trichotomy of desires well, which he clearly holds as key to “the art of enough” as something much more (and more profound) than just “settling.”

    To my mind (thus far), he commits two errors:

    (1) He uses the word “hedonism” in just the modern caricatured sense, rather than explaining what it meant to Epicurus (or even the Cyrenaics). One who is already familiar can mentally bypass that error in reading, but it’s still deceptive.

    (2) He appears (again, thus far) to commit what might be called the “ataraxic error” (which we have seen often enough). Whether he continues down that road I don;t know yet.

    With that said, he clearly is trying to advocate for Epicurean philosophy as the best antidote to the modern ills of consumerism, in terms of “not-enoughness.” And that Epicurus’ “art of enough” is the key to a rich life of enjoyment and well-being.

    ______________________________________

    Note: I dislike all those pinched-lip renderings of Epicurus, even those that I have on my computer. :)

    "We must try to make the end of the journey better than the beginning, as long as we are journeying; but when we come to the end, we must be happy and content." (Vatican Saying 48)

    Quote from Pacatus

    Epicurean philosophy as the best antidote to the modern ills of consumerism

    This is more an aside than a comment on the book, as I have other things i want to do before i dive into it.

    But I begin to wonder, Pacatus, if describing the ills of modern life as "consumerism" is a diagnosis that belongs to your and my generation, and that diagnosis itself is in the process of passing away as "boomerthink."

    I suspect most of the real upheavals in the modern world - the ones generating the wars and the really bitter conflicts, are not well described as arising from "consumerism" -- at least not in the way we grew up thinking of it as "keeping up with the Joneses."

    I gather most people younger than about 40 aren't plagued with the troubles of having too many career options or too much money to spend or too many houses or boats or trinkets to buy.

    I suspect you're right. And it's also tied to particular socio-economic cultures. Perhaps the vast majority of people in the world are not susceptible.

    "We must try to make the end of the journey better than the beginning, as long as we are journeying; but when we come to the end, we must be happy and content." (Vatican Saying 48)