From Barley Bread to Haute Cuisine: The Epicurean Ethic of Pleasure Evolves
Location
Wedgewood Conference Center, Room 4094
Presentation Type
Presentation
Start Date
28-9-2015 3:00 PM
Description
An “epicurean” is a disciple of either the Hellenistic philosopher Epicurus, or the gourmet, luxurious life. Epicurus is the father of hedonism, the philosophy that places pleasure as the highest good—but is still a strange forebear to epicurean devotions of magazines, digital brands, and apps resplendent with glossies of Le Cordon Bleu demi-glacé veal, glistening crème brûlée, and sparkling crêpes Suzettes served flambé. Epicurus’ school, The Garden, served its pleasures ascetically, barley bread and warm water, and his hedonistic ethics yielded a profound political egalitarianism, free education and equal rights for women and slaves. Do we see a ga stronome return to social justice? Understanding how Epicurus’ hedonism grounds his politics can illuminate a path of excellence [arête, virtue] for today’s luxury.
Recommended Citation
Walton, Melanie, "From Barley Bread to Haute Cuisine: The Epicurean Ethic of Pleasure Evolves" (2015). Humanities Symposium. 33.
https://repository.belmont.edu/humanities_symposium/2015/2015/33
From Barley Bread to Haute Cuisine: The Epicurean Ethic of Pleasure Evolves
Wedgewood Conference Center, Room 4094
An “epicurean” is a disciple of either the Hellenistic philosopher Epicurus, or the gourmet, luxurious life. Epicurus is the father of hedonism, the philosophy that places pleasure as the highest good—but is still a strange forebear to epicurean devotions of magazines, digital brands, and apps resplendent with glossies of Le Cordon Bleu demi-glacé veal, glistening crème brûlée, and sparkling crêpes Suzettes served flambé. Epicurus’ school, The Garden, served its pleasures ascetically, barley bread and warm water, and his hedonistic ethics yielded a profound political egalitarianism, free education and equal rights for women and slaves. Do we see a ga stronome return to social justice? Understanding how Epicurus’ hedonism grounds his politics can illuminate a path of excellence [arête, virtue] for today’s luxury.
Comments
Convocation Credit: Academic Lecture