Epicureanism is a philosophy developed the teachings and ideals of a man named Epicurus. Epicureanism is defined by Epicurus as the pleasure for the end of all morality and that real pleasure is attained through a life of prudence, honor, and justice. Epicurus introduced this philosophy around 322 B.C, and two schools established in Athens. Epicurus taught the ethics of his philosophy in his school, that a person should live by "the art of making life happy", and that "prudence is the noblest part of philosophy"(newadvent.org). Epicurus ideals for life intrigued people and they began to think that perhaps the ethics of Epicureanism had some truth behind it; a person should live his/her life to the fullest in order to become happy. Epicurus …show more content…
Thus, the Epicurean way isn't too far from today's world views on how Americans live. Thomas Jefferson, during the history of America, admitted that the teachings of Epicureanism, by saying this quote, "Epicureanism and Epicurus give laws for governing ourselves, Jesus a supplement of the duties and charities we owe to others,"(epicurus.net). Through the eyes of the beholder a person can be able to see that Epicureanism, in fact, can be put into the context of life without really thinking about the philosophy. The history of Epicureanism is important for people because his teachings are simple enough to live by, without submitting. The ethics behind Epicureanism are very simple. Epicurus demonstrates that experience shows happiness is not best attained by directly seeking it. The selfish are not more happy but less so than the unselfish. This statement is very powerful for the simple person. Epicurus proves that if a person seeks to be happy he/she usually won't be able to find true happiness.
Epicurus states
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) Happiness
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 David Suits' article, An Epicurean Idea Suits addresses in detail the theory of Epicureanism. Suit begins by introducing the major fear humanity faces and explains to us how Epicurus would refute each fear. Suit then goes one step further to explain the different aspects of life that allow humans to achieve the ultimate goal in Epicurus’s mind ataraxia, which is peace of mind.
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).
Accounting to the text Epicurus Philosophy is to live the good life which means live a life with peace of mind and cheerfulness. That being said in chapter 3 of crimes and misdemeanours many characters live a life that pays the price. If Epicurus View the Woody Allen film crimes and misdemeanours you'd probably say a whole lot about it. He would say many things about the characters that are featured in the film because of what they have gone through, and where there destiny has led them too. According to Epicurus friendship was a big deal for him. He said friendship is one of the most important things in this world. The reason he would look at the characters in crimes in with misdemeanours really odd it's because many of the characters let
Aristotle was a particularly influential Grecian philosopher and student of Plato who lived from 384BC- 322BC (ADD CITATION). Within Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle outlines the thoughts of the general population along with his regards and rationales in explaining many philosophical premises. But to concentrate on how Aristotle feels about the role of pleasure in morality, Aristotle introduces the idea that “most people think happiness involves pleasure.” He goes on to interpret the roles of different pleasures and their virtues and vices, giving examples such as as bodily pleasures and soul pleasures.
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.
The Leading Doctrines of Epicurean philosophy state that ‘it is impossible to live the pleasant life without also living sensibly, nobly and justly, and conversely it is impossible to live sensibly, nobly and justly without living pleasantly’ (Epicurus, 1998b, p.53). Therefore, the good Epicurean believes in order to live virtuously, one must adhere to a pleasurable life. For Epicureans it is impossible to live virtuously and unpleasantly or vice-versa. In addition, Epicurus describes pleasure as our ‘primary native good’ (Epicurus 1998a, p. 51), implying that all human actions are driven by pleasures and by the avoidance of pains. Another imperative concept to Epicurean philosophy is Epicurus’ idea of the three fundamental aspects in attaining pleasure, those of friendship, freedom and an analysed life
In this essay, I will dissect the positions and beliefs of Epicurus from a letter he wrote to Menoeceus, and argue why I believe they are correct or incorrect. I will also elaborate on the ultimate goal for Epicurus and differentiate between the types of pleasures and why it is important to focus on particular types. Lastly I will analyze the principal things that give people anxiety, the method Epicurus recommend for applying his philosophy, and why I agree or disagree with particular positions Epicurus has. Epicurus uses several different instances about what he believes constitutes the good life and I found many of them to be right on target with my beliefs.
Epicurus believes pleasure is the greatest good because it is the only way to completely fulfill ones life on this earth. Epicurus is inclined to philosophize in this way as he believed that there was no after life or immortal soul, leading pleasure full self-fulfillment to be the only rational conclusion for the greatest good on earth. To comprehend Epicurus’ pursuit of pleasure one needs to understand that his version of hedonism is not full of lavish indulgences that have
In the Letter to Menoeceus, Epicurus believes that by practicing and studying philosophy, one will secure happiness, and not spend an eternity in search of it. He explains his beliefs in his basic teachings of The Gods, Death, and The Moral Theory. When analyzing these subsections, Epicurus breaks them down so that one understands the true meaning of life, and living a happy one, versus a long life where happiness seems close, but not close enough. By justifying that the gods indeed exist, one needs to accept them as they are because it is the people that make their own opinion which are false suppositions and leads to the negative outlook of the gods. Furthermore, Epicurus states that one should not fear death because all good and evil ends
The notion of morality involves a life in accordance with nature and controlled by virtue. It is as ascetic system, which teaches perfect indifference to everything external. Nothing external can be either good or evil (Stanford). To Stoics, both pain and pleasure, poverty and wealth, and sickness and health, are supposed to be equally unimportant. Stoic Ethical teaching is based on two principles: first, that the universe is governed by absolute law, which admits of no exceptions; and second, that the essential nature of humans is reason.
In the opening lines of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states, “Every craft and every line of inquiry, and likewise every action and decision, seems to seek some good; and that is why some people were right to describe the good at what everything seeks.” Aristotle often wrote about happiness, but so did Epicurus. In a broad sense, Aristotle and Epicurus touched on similar points when discussing happiness. They both believed that happiness is the ultimate goal in life, and that all human measures are taken to reach that goal. While Aristotle and Epicurus’ theories are similar in notion, a closer look proves they are different in many ways. In this paper, we will discuss the differences between Epicurus and Aristotle in their theories on happiness, and expand on some drawbacks of both arguments. Through discussing the drawbacks with both theories, we will also be determining which theory is more logical when determining how to live a happy life.
Hellenistic and Roman Ethics can be divided into two theories. The first theory is Epicureanism. This theory is the belief that humans seek a pleasant life, and that the best way to a pleasant life is by moderate satisfaction. Epicureanism believes there are three kinds of human desires, natural, natural but not necessary, and empty desires caused by society. Natural desires are those a human cannot live without, such as food, water, shelter, friendship, and happiness. Natural but unnecessary desires are those that humans can live without, one example being love, not in the sense of intercourse. Empty desires are ones caused by society and are superficial desires that are self-defeating, including religious superstition and glorifying wealth
During Epicurus’s early years he looked towards other philosophers as an inspiration. Epicurus first discusses the idea and “importance of sensual pleasure” (50). To express these teachings Epicurus created a place where people could go to “study [the] pleasure” (51) that he preached about in his teachings. Many found this type of study to be morally uneasy, however, it consistently gained support, to many especially the wealthy. After some time, these places of study began to disappear. Epicurus then began to look at how one can achieve a happy and healthy life. To do this one must originally look towards what makes them unhappy and “dissatisfied” (54) in their lives whether that be their job or something else. Therefore, through Epicurus’s teachings one should not act “on first impulse” but look towards what our desires are telling us that we want in life. Epicurus looked at friendship to achieving a happy life. One must have a connection to others in order to feel complete in the world. Therefore, Epicurus lived amongst many friends where he noticed and expressed that “we don’t exist unless there is someone who can see us existing” (57) therefore, by having friends in our life we always feel that we are part of something in the world that is larger than ourselves. Epicurus also expresses that our friends “do not evaluate us… to worldly criteria” (57). Once one has friends who accept them and show unconditional love, one many look towards Epicurus’s view of freedom in finding happiness. One needs to be free of “everyday affairs and politics” (58) to live a happy life. From giving up these mundane affairs, Epicurus and his friends were able not be reliant on a “material basis” (58) but could find happiness on the simplicity of life. The next
Epicurus believed atoms are particles that are composed of an infinite amount of something and must have space to move. Likewise, the particles must be the smallest thing to be and have shape. This theory is based on two aspects, atom and void. Void is the absence of anything. Atoms travel through void at the same speed despite certain factors, such as size, shape, and weight. Atoms swerve randomly and collide in the void, therefore determining how an object gets its different shapes and sizes in the world. On the other hand, Epicurus resembles a libertarian. For instance, Epicurus believes how we live our lives is guided by what we enjoy and/or don’t enjoy. Pleasure, as defined by Epicurus, is the absence of pain. Therefore, an ideal life is a life that has no pain. Also, Epicurus states that a person should not be dependent on stuff because then that person will be at less of a risk for pain in the future. The problem of combining these two views is the issue of free will. Atomism believes that atoms swerve due to a person deciding their choices, therefore explaining their choices. While