For Epicurus
What is the Epicurean ideal?
Epicureanism argued that
pleasure was the chief good in life
. Hence, Epicurus advocated living in such a way as to derive the greatest amount of pleasure possible during one’s lifetime, yet doing so moderately in order to avoid the suffering incurred by overindulgence in such pleasure.
What is a good life according to Epicurus?
For Epicurus, the most pleasant life is
one where we abstain from unnecessary desires and achieve an inner tranquility (ataraxia)
by being content with simple things, and by choosing the pleasure of philosophical conversation with friends over the pursuit of physical pleasures like food, drink, and sex.
What is the aim of life to an epicurean?
While the Epicurean philosophy suggests that the goal of life is
happiness
, it also recognizes that sometimes pleasure can lead to pain and that sometimes pain is necessary in order to achieve happiness.
What is the Epicurean motto of life?
Epicureanism was later summed up as a motto:
eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die
. It is also known as hedonism, the philosophy of good living.
What is wrong with epicureanism?
One problem with both Stoicism and Epicureanism is
their excessive focus on the self
. The good of deep and loving relationships with others carries with it an unavoidable vulnerability to pain and suffering.
What kind of hedonism does Epicurus recommend?
“[According to Epicurus], you need to stop desiring anything you don’t naturally need.” For Epicurus, a
hedonistic life is one free from bodily and mental pains
. Most people live miserable lives because they’re so worried and anxious, and so the key to Epicurean hedonism is eradicating all anxiety.
What is the difference between Stoic and Epicurean?
In summary, a simple heuristic to remember the difference between the Stoics and the Epicureans: The
Stoics cared about virtuous behavior and living according to nature
, while the Epicureans were all about avoiding pain and seeking natural and necessary pleasure.
What can we learn from Epicurus?
- Whatever’s up there probably isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. This continues to get Epicurus—and probably this columnist—in hot water. …
- Settle for mediocrity. Take on as little responsibility as possible. …
- You can have too much of a good thing. …
- Avoid politics.
What is Epicurus best known for?
Epicurus, (born 341 bc, Samos, Greece—died 270, Athens), Greek philosopher,
author of an ethical philosophy of simple pleasure, friendship, and retirement
. He founded schools of philosophy that survived directly from the 4th century bc until the 4th century ad.
How does Epicurus view death?
Epicurus’ Argument
Death, Epicurus argued,
cannot
touch us because “while we exist death is not present, and when death is present we no longer exist.” Since death cannot touch us it cannot be bad. Fear is rational only for something bad. So Epicurus concludes that fearing death is pointless.
What is Epicurus death point?
According to Epicurus,
death is the end of both the body and the soul and therefore should not be feared
. Epicurus taught that although the gods exist, they have no involvement in human affairs.
What is the soul according to Epicurus?
Epicurus maintains that
soul atoms are particularly fine and are distributed throughout the body
(LH 64), and it is by means of them that we have sensations (aisthêseis) and the experience of pain and pleasure, which Epicurus calls pathê (a term used by Aristotle and others to signify emotions instead).
Is Epicurus a hedonist?
Epicurus’ ethics is
a form of egoistic hedonism
; i.e., he says that the only thing that is intrinsically valuable is one’s own pleasure; anything else that has value is valuable merely as a means to securing pleasure for oneself.
Does Epicurus believe in an afterlife?
The Absence of an Afterlife
In contrast to many other Greek philosophers,
Epicurus did not believe in an afterlife
. Many Greeks were devoted to the pantheon of gods. … It also eliminated the afterlife as an object of desire. Instead, Epicureans should focus on enjoying their mortal lives.
Is pleasure the absence of pain?
The Epicureans defined pleasure as the
absence of pain
(mental and physical), and hence pleasure can only increase until the point in which pain is absent. … To achieve such a state, one has to experience kinetic pleasures, that is, a pleasure one has when want or pain is being removed.
