Analyzing Epicurus's 'Letter To Meneoceus'

Thus although virtue is inseparable from pleasure and necessary if we are to be happy, it is to be chosen not for its own sake but for the sake of pleasure. Beauty and the virtues and the like are to be honored if they provide pleasure, but, if they do not, we must say goodbye to them.(Intro. Epicurus, 124)

25. Epicurean teachings and politics were based on individual pleasure. The highest of all pleasures is the serenity of the soul, in complete absence of mental and physical pain. This can be achieved by eliminating fear.

The principal Doctrines, are written by Epicurus who lived from 341B.C. to 270 B.C. His theory is hedonism, which is rooted in pleasure. The book speaks of pain as being only temporary, and that it is only a pleasure over pain (V). This is a way of life to see the pleasures that life offers are what Epicurus is saying. And although, “no Pleasure is a bad thing in itself,” The results of obtaining the pleasure can bring greater displeasures (VIII). He is looking for the most pleasures one can get, and I suppose if he was not happy with his job, that he would quit. I can see Epicurus, avoiding a lot of things within his life because they would bring pain and frustration, like driving in rush hour. The idea sounds like he is living the simple life, or a hermit’s life.

In evaluating the philosopher’s goal of determining how to live a good life, Epicurean philosophers argue that pleasure is the greatest good and pain is the greatest bad. Foremost, for the purpose of this analysis, I must define the pleasure and pain described. Pleasure is seen as the state of being pleased or gratified. This term is defined more specifically by the subject to which the pleasure applies, depending on what he likes. Pain is the opposite of pleasure, which is a type of emotional or physical un-pleasure that results in something that the person dislikes. “Everything in which we rejoice is pleasure, just as everything that distresses us is pain,” (Cicero 1). Through this hedonistic assessment of pleasure and pain, epicurean philosophers come to the conclusion that, “the greatest pleasure [is that] which is perceived once all pain has been removed,” (Epicurus 1).

In part one of our book, “The Good Life,” we studied five different philosopher’s viewpoints on what is needed in order for a person to have a good, fulfilling life. They all included the concepts of pleasure and happiness to some extent in their theories, but they all approached the ideas in different ways. The two hedonists we studied, Epicurus and John Stuart Mill, place heavy emphasis on the importance of pleasure. They both believe that pleasure is a necessity in the ideal life. Jean Kazez agreed with their viewpoints in her theory and said that happiness was a necessity for a good life. Epicurus and Mill also argue that there is nothing else that we ultimately desire beyond pleasure and that it is an intrinsic good.

In Letter to Menoecceous, Epicurus’ outlines the view that life should be and is about maximizing ones own pleasure. Epicurus importantly notes that pleasure is not necessarily one of a lavish lifestyle, but where pain is absent in body and soul (Epicurus (1), p. 32). This overarching notion filters into his ethical philosophies; in the way that one is and should be just while maintaining the aim of maximizing pleasure. This essay aims to explain the reasons behind Epicurus view that one’s life can maintain justice while focusing on pleasure.

According to Epicurus, pleasure comes as a result of eliminating all the needs and wants of an individual.

Epicurus teaches us that life should be enjoyed for its own sake. Pleasure, friendship, and courage make up a life well lived. I would argue that it is these three main principles that support a modern interpretation of Epicurus’ teaching as a personal moral or philosophic code. Pleasure, Epicurus teaches, is primarily the absence of pain. Certainly one would be unable to impose a radical new moral code without the imposition of force and this was not Epicurus’ goal. Preferably, one would “withdraw from the multitude” and live a quiet life. The inherent corruption of politics was to be avoided.

Epicurus was the son of a schoolmaster, who studied philosophy and died of natural causes. He left an impact with his last dying words about the secrets of happiness: storing up pleasures against rainy days of pain. What this means is that if you live by his theories of four principles of happiness, then you can overcome anything that might bring you unhappiness. The four principles are; The gods exist, but not in the way we suppose; Death is nothing to fear; Pleasure is the key to happiness; Everything we need to be happy is easy to obtain. Epicurus mentions that pleasure is pain, for pleasure is good, but not all should be pursued, and all pain is bad, but not all should be avoided. He also mentions how you should accentuate the negative

Aristotle is right in rejecting the life of pleasure because the ultimate goal in the life of humans is happiness. The pursuit of pleasure can interfere with nobility and virtue. Aristotle considers the feeling of happiness as an activity rather than a state and therefore for a person to live well as happily, he/she needs to possess the right virtues to lean towards a specific disposition or a specific way of life. As well, Aristotle is right to reject the pleasure as the highest good (Annas 366). This is because while pleasure is without any doubt good, it cannot be regarded as the highest good and therefore not the only good. Various examples can be drawn from the world to indicate that pleasure is not the highest good. For instance, more

Epicurus also believed in the aspect that philosophy could detach one from their fears of death and the supernatural. If one were to preserve value away from materialistic things one would be able to achieve absolute happiness. “To realize their ideal, the members of the Epicurean community refrained, insofar as possible, from participation in the affairs of the troubled world” (Theodore, 35). Pleasure and happiness was achieved through the simple indulgences that cleanse bodily health and the peace of mind.

Epicurus was born in the city of Samos. Epicurus practiced philosophy as a student with a follower of Democritus. This relationship influenced the work of Epicurus, notable in the belief Epicurus held of atoms and the void. Known as the Garden, the name given to the location and individuals that joined Epicurus in contemplation away from society, was the birthplace of Epicureanism (the school of thought that valued friendship, pleasure, and modest living). Epicurus is thought to have written dozens of books, but only a few pieces remain. One of those pieces was a letter to Menoeceus. The letter is a version from Introductory Readings in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy by C.D.C. Reeve and Patrick Lee Miller. Through the letter Epicurus advices on topics such as age and the pursuit of philosophy, the irrational fear of death, the effects of pleasure and pain among other things. This essay will focus on the second of the aforementioned topics. Epicurus argues that human beings have an irrational fear of death since, “death is nothing to us.”

Whereas some are convinced that it is indeed a good thing, others maintain that pleasure is bad and merely insatiable. Contrary to society’s belief, pleasure does not bring happiness. Pleasure only brings stress in which you someone experiences it in order to obtain it; all for temporary euphoria. Seneca believes that if a person’s purpose in life is to seek pleasure, he will search for an eternity. Instead, Seneca argues that a person should seek virtues. In his opinion, virtue and pleasure are not the same thing but rather different. In Seneca’s view, “virtue does not confer pleasure but confers pleasure in addition; it does not exert itself for pleasure, but its exertions, although directed at other ends, attain pleasure in the process” (pg 44). As previously stated, the quote underlines the theory that pleasure will only bring you happiness for a brief moment. Having virtue within oneself is something that will last for a lifetime and cannot be taken away. Contradictingly, Seneca does believe that one can experience pleasure, if it is in control and moderation. At the end of the day, all humans are going to search for pleasure, however, it is up to yourself to determine which is just.

To Epicurus happiness was the same as pleasure. And pleasure was freedom from bodily pain and mental anguish. He lived a simple life, owning only two cloaks and only eating bread and olives. With the occasional slice of cheese for a treat. He believed desire was a form of pain and therefore should be eliminated, and thus one should be satisfied with the bare minimum of what is needed to be happy. Therefore, while it was not a life of many desires, it was filled with the only pleasures you would need to be happy. There was a certain joy he found, in pure existence. Today’s society could learn a thing or two from this philosophy, most of which being living simply. It was better to take pleasure in simple things, rather than to chase pleasure.

This philosophy of Epicurus ,holding that the world is a series of fortuitous combination of atom and the pleasure is the highest good. Interpreted as a freedom from disturbance or pain.