The Birth of Hedonism The Cyrenaic Philosophers and Pleasure as a Way of Life

"The Cyrenaics were the earliest philosophical hedonists. Evidence for their views is limited, but Kurt Lampe combines expert historical scholarship and imaginative sympathy to offer a compelling account of what they believed, what it might have been like to inhabit their worldview, and why it matters today. His itinerary takes him in the end to Walter Pater, who offered late Victorians the profound experience and attractions of a 'new Cyrenaicism.' This is a learned and important book, in which Lampe, like Pater, brings aspects of a lost Greek philosophical past to life."--Charles Martindale, University of Bristol and University of York "Economists, political theorists, and observers of popular culture are keenly interested in happiness, gratification, and well-being. Anglo-American moral philosophy, however, disdains the goodness of pleasure. "The Birth of Hedonism" reminds us brilliantly of how very good pleasure can be."--Giulia Sissa, University of California, Los Angeles "A bold, clever, and expansive treatment of one of the most misunderstood of ancient philosophical schools. Lampe dissects the traditions surrounding these colorful characters with skill and precision, and makes the case for a broad, flexible, and pluralistic reading of ancient hedonism."--Tim Whitmarsh, University of Cambridge "This outstanding study of Cyrenaic hedonism fills a crucial gap in the literature on ancient Greek ethics and the history of moral philosophy. There is no comparable book in any language. By proceeding thematically rather than chronologically, Kurt Lampe is able to broaden his evidence and offer a picture of the Cyrenaic movement that is far more complete and philosophically interesting than was previously possible. He draws entire frescoes where others have made only sketches, and he writes with clarity, elegance, and style."--Voula Tsouna, University of California, Santa Barbara