Aristippus in the context of "Epicurean"

Epicureanism is a system of philosophy founded in 307 BCE and based upon the teachings of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher. Epicurus was an atomist and materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to religious skepticism and a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Epicureanism was originally a challenge to Platonism, and its main opponent later became Stoicism. It is a form of hedonism insofar as it declares pleasure to be its sole intrinsic goal. However, the concept that the absence of pain and fear constitutes the greatest pleasure, and its advocacy of a simple life, make it very different from hedonism as colloquially understood.

Following the Cyrenaic philosopher Aristippus, Epicurus believed that the greatest good was to seek modest, sustainable pleasure in the form of a state of ataraxia (tranquility and freedom from fear) and aponia (the absence of bodily pain) through knowledge of the workings of the world and limiting desires. Correspondingly, Epicurus and his followers generally withdrew from politics because it could lead to frustrations and ambitions that would conflict with their pursuit of virtue and peace of mind.

Sosicrates of Rhodes (Greek: Σωσικράτης ὁ Ῥόδιος; fl. c. 180 BC) was a Greek historical writer. He was born on the island of Rhodes and is noted, chiefly, for his frequent mention by Diogenes Laërtius in his Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, referencing Sosicrates as the sole authority behind such facts as Aristippus having written nothing. It is inferred that Sosicrates flourished after Hermippus and before Apollodorus of Athens, and, therefore, sometime between 200 and 128 BC. Sosicrates is claimed to have penned A Succession of Philosophers, quoted by both Athenaeus and Diogenes Laërtius. Sosicrates also composed a work on the history of Crete, though neither of the aforementioned works has survived.