Inside our troubled world, looking back to ancient wisdom can reveal fresh solutions.

For years, many of us have upheld the Stoic belief in ‘no pain, zero gain.’ But when the pace of modern life and the demands of careers and family overwhelm us, punishing exercise regimes, efficiency apps and morning hours starts may not be the best remedy.

According to the pleasure-centric school of thought of Epicureanism, existence could be good without great sacrifice. By consciously training ‘choice and avoidance’ – by being strategic about our recreational, professional and familial pursuits – we are able to live with less fear and regret. By understanding our put in place a global that came into being by chance, we are able to gain higher perspective on our function within it and where our priorities should rest.

Simply no honest philosopher can provide you a formula for happiness, but in The Pleasure Concept, Professor Catherine Wilson explores how Epicureanism can offer a construction for considering life’s key issues, including family, loss of life, politics, religion, wealth, science, and love.