{"product_id":"health-and-hedonism-in-plato-and-epicurus-scholarly","title":"Health and Hedonism in Plato and Epicurus - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Health and Hedonism in Plato and Epicurus, Kelly Arenson offers a close, argument-driven study best suited to readers who want to trace conceptual continuities between Plato and Epicurus. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its original thesis that both thinkers conceive of \u003cstrong\u003epleasure\u003c\/strong\u003e in terms of bodily and psychological harmony, making it valuable for scholars and students seeking a focused account of ancient ethical theory rather than a broad introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Directly links Platonic passages from the Republic and Philebus to Epicurean accounts, clarifying historical intellectual connections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical argument:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presents a sustained thesis that pleasure is understood as health and harmony of body and soul, which reframes standard interpretations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary source emphasis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on specific texts in Plato to illuminate underexplored sources for Epicurean thought, offering concrete textual readings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited for readers interested in the history of ethical concepts across ancient philosophy rather than a popular overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise presentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Focuses tightly on its central claim, making the book a manageable, targeted resource for seminar discussion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at graduate students, lecturers, and informed readers of ancient philosophy who want a rigorous, text-based argument about how Platonic material sets the conceptual groundwork for Epicurean hedonism. It is particularly useful for those preparing seminars or papers on ethics, pleasure, or the reception of Plato in Hellenistic thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a general introduction to Plato or Epicurus, or a broad survey of Hellenistic schools, should look elsewhere; this is not a textbook for beginners but a focused scholarly monograph that presumes familiarity with the Republic and Philebus and with basic Epicurean doctrine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSharp comparative thesis that makes a clear, defensible case about \u003cstrong\u003epleasure as harmony\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong use of Platonic texts to illuminate an underexplored dimension of Epicurean thought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConcise scope that keeps the argument focused and suitable for course reading lists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe specialized focus means it is less accessible for general readers or novices in ancient philosophy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHealth and Hedonism in Plato and Epicurus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKelly Arenson\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary texts discussed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlato's Republic and Philebus, Epicurean writings (discussed comparatively)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain theme\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePleasure as bodily and psychological health and harmony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative, text-driven philosophical analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHealth and Hedonism in Plato and Epicurus is a valuable, well-argued book for specialists and advanced students who want a focused reassessment of how Plato's accounts of psychological and bodily harmony inform Epicurean ideas of pleasure. It is good value for those who need a tight, evidence-led study rather than a general introduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book compare specific passages in Plato and Epicurus?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The study centers on Platonic passages from the Republic and Philebus and treats them as sources for interpreting Epicurean pleasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is best for upper-level undergraduates with prior exposure to Plato and Epicurus, though instructors may assign selected chapters for advanced seminars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book introductory or specialized?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is specialized and argument-driven, offering a focused scholarly thesis rather than a broad introduction to ancient ethics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kelly Arenson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48230081167579,"sku":"135008025X","price":162.23,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/A1jzNEMC1dL._SL1500.jpg?v=1770712147","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/health-and-hedonism-in-plato-and-epicurus-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}