# Aristippus of Cyrene — The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers character guide

> Aristippus of Cyrene in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Aristippus the Cyrenian, Cyrene

**First appearance:** 0023-aristippus

## Snapshot

The Cyrenaic founder who made pleasure the goal of life, yet moved through Socrates' circle with the ease of a man who feared nothing.

## Who they are

Aristippus of Cyrene was a student of Socrates who took the master's lessons in self-command and turned them toward a philosophy of refined enjoyment. He was at home in courts and marketplaces alike, and his willingness to accept money for teaching set him apart from the ascetic Socratics. His school, the Cyrenaics, would argue that immediate pleasure is the only certain good, making him the ancient world's most articulate defender of a life lived for the moment.

## In the story

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/book-ii)

Cyrenaic philosopher; first Socratic to charge fees; known for adaptability and luxury; exchanged barbs with Diogenes and Plato.

### [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/socrates)

Listed among the four most eminent Socratic followers.

### [Aeschines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/aeschines)

Supported Aeschines in Sicily and later ridiculed the genuineness of his dialogues.

### [Aristippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/chapters/aristippus)

Main subject of the chapter; a pupil of Socrates who became a Sophist and founded the Cyrenaic school, known for his adaptability and hedonistic philosophy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters/aristippus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lives_and_opinions_of_eminent_philosophers_se/characters