Epicureanism is a philosophical system that emphasizes finding happiness through moderation, simplicity, friendship, and the absence of pain. It's a form of hedonism that focuses on achieving a state of tranquility and freedom from worry, rather than pursuing intense, fleeting pleasures.
Epicurus, the founder of this philosophy, believed that the greatest good is to seek modest pleasures and avoid pain to achieve a state of serenity.
Here's a more detailed look at Epicureanism:
Principles
Happiness through Moderation:
Epicureanism advocates for a balanced approach to life, avoiding both excessive indulgence and severe deprivation.
Simplicity: A simple life, free from unnecessary distractions and material possessions, is seen as conducive to happiness.
Friendship and Community: Strong relationships and a sense of belonging are considered essential for a fulfilling life.
Freedom from Pain: The absence of physical and mental pain is considered a fundamental aspect of happiness.
Knowledge and Reason: Epicureans valued intellectual pursuits and the ability to understand the world around them.
Concepts
Ataraxia: A state of tranquility and freedom from worry and fear.
Aponia: The absence of physical pain.
Hedonism: The belief that pleasure is the ultimate good, though Epicureanism's conception of pleasure is broader than simply sensory gratification.
Materialism: Epicurus's philosophy is based on a materialistic view of the world, which influenced his skepticism towards religious beliefs.
Applications
Epicureanism provides a framework for living a more fulfilling life by focusing on:
Self-sufficiency: Developing the ability to be independent and not reliant on external factors for happiness.
Control over desires: Learning to regulate desires and avoid excessive indulgence.
Living in the present: Appreciating the simple pleasures of the moment and focusing on what is within one's control.
Seeking knowledge and understanding: Engaging with the world and seeking to understand its workings.
In essence, Epicureanism offers a practical guide to happiness by emphasizing moderation, simplicity, and the importance of mental tranquility.
Fear and Worry
Fear and worry are enemies of happiness in human. Epicurus argued that most of the suffering which human beings experience is caused by the irrational fears of death, divine retribution, and punishment in the afterlife.
To get rid of fears and worries Epicurus came up with 4 therapies to happiness.
He named them Tetra-pharmakos and they are as follows:
- Don't fear god. The gods exist but they don't care about human affairs; they don't reward or punish us.
- Don't worry about death. Death is nothing to fear — because when we die, we no longer exist, so there’s no pain to experience.
- What is good is easy to get
- What is terrible is easy to endure
Desires and Stress
Dues to the fact that desires are infinite and keeps growing in different ways there is constant need to pursue them which can cause stress.
Some desires are not important as they are not possible to be satisfied. Epicurus distinguishes between three types of desires as follows:
Natural and necessary: Natural and necessary desires include the desires for food and shelter. These are easy to satisfy, difficult to eliminate, bring pleasure when satisfied, and are naturally limited.
Natural but unnecessary: Unnecessary desires such as the desire for luxury foods. Although food is necessary, luxury food is not necessary.
Correspondingly, Epicurus advocates a life of hedonistic moderation by reducing desire, thus eliminating the unhappiness caused by unfulfilled desires.
Vain and empty: Vain desires include desires for power, wealth, and fame. These are difficult to satisfy because no matter how much one gets, one can always want more.
These desires are inculcated by society and by false beliefs about what we need. They are not natural and are to be shunned.
