Book Reviews

have died. Thus, Epicurus is referring to being dead, not to dying:

Death means nothing to us, because that which has been broken down into atoms has no sensation and that which has no sensation is no concern of ours

(Epicurus, 2012: p 173)

At the end of his career, French philosopher Michel Foucault (2005) became preoccupied with Epicurean, Stoic, Cynic and Skeptic arts of living. He conceived these arts of living as therapeutic technologies of the self, aiming at creating a beautiful self in a Nietzschean way. However, French historian of philosophy Pierre Hadot (1995) found that Foucault misinterpreted the Hellenistic and Roman philosophers, wishing to reunite the self with the world. Following Epicurus, the cause of spiritual problems are unnatural and unnecessary desires, being part of conventional culture. Spiritual healing consists in training human beings to detach themselves from these desires by relying on the healing powers of reason. According to Epicurus, human beings must free themselves of their ignorance about the natural world and lead a virtuous life as a means to gain tranquility and human flourishing.

It is impossible to live the pleasant life without also living sensibly, nobly, and justly

(Epicurus, 2012: p 172)

At this stage, human beings will only tend to their natural desires and they are in a position to centre in themselves and fence off the demands of conventional culture. However, being in the world and having relationships are important aspects of living a good life, meaning that human beings must also be in a position to re-unite their spirit with other people and the world:

The person who is the most successful in controlling the disturbing elements that come from the outside world has assimilated to himself what he could, and what he could not assimilate he has at least not alienated […]. All who have the capacity to gain security, especially from those who live around them, live a most agreeable life together, since they have the firm assurance of friendship

(Epicurus, 2012: p 179)

Epicurus and existential therapy are both dealing with lived philosophy rather than mere speculation, and they both emphasize the therapeutic value of living in the moment. Epicurus' Letter to Menoeccus and Leading Doctrines are fascinating reading to any existential therapist, who is interested in a secular perspective on the spiritual dimension of existence. Furthermore,