Comparisons between any two philosophies typically focus on their differences. This article will instead focus on similarities. In antiquity there was substantial awareness of similarities between Epicureanism and Pyrrhonism. For example, consider how Julian, Emperor of Rome, Neoplatonist philosopher and apostate Christian lumped Epicureanism and Pyrrhonism together:
Let us not admit discourses by Epicureans or Pyrrhonists — though indeed the gods have already in their wisdom destroyed their works, so that most of their books are no longer available. Nevertheless, there is no reason why I should not, by way of example, mention these works too, to show what sort of discourses priests must especially avoid; and if such discourses, then much more must they avoid such thoughts.[1]
A similar example can be found with the satirical poet Lucian of Samosata, who often appears to be writing from a Pyrrhonist perspective, but he also praised Epicurus.[2]
I was prompted to write this comparison from having read a review from an Epicurean perspective, of my book, Pyrrho’s Way: The Ancient Greek Version of Buddhism, which promotes Pyrrhonism as a modern practice. The author of that review, Hiram Crespo, has fine credentials as a proponent of Modern Epicureanism. He is the founder of the Society of Epicurus, and the author of Tending the Epicurean…
