Have you ever wondered what it takes to achieve true happiness?
Epicurus, a philosopher from ancient times, had a unique way of thinking that centered around the pursuit of pleasure and the elimination of fear.
His philosophy was based on materialism, empiricism, and hedonism.
Epicurus believed that the key to a happy life was to live in such a way as to derive the greatest amount of pleasure possible, yet doing so moderately in order to avoid the suffering incurred by overindulgence.
He also sought to eliminate the fear of death and the gods, which he saw as chief causes of strife in life.
In this article, we will delve deeper into Epicurus’ way of thinking and explore how his ideas can be applied to our modern lives.
What Was Epicurus Way Of Thinking
Epicurus believed that the goal of human life was happiness, which could be achieved through the absence of physical pain and mental disturbance. He saw pleasure as the chief good in life, but not in the stereotypical sense. For Epicurus, the most pleasant life was one where we abstain from unnecessary desires and achieve an inner tranquility by being content with simple things.
Epicurus was an empiricist, meaning he believed that sensations, together with the perception of pleasure and pain, were infallible criteria for knowledge. He rejected the existence of transcendent entities such as Platonic Ideas or Forms and believed that all natural phenomena could be explained in atomic terms.
In terms of ethics, Epicurus advocated for living in a way that would derive the greatest amount of pleasure possible during one’s lifetime, yet doing so moderately to avoid suffering from overindulgence. He actively recommended against passionate love and believed it best to avoid marriage altogether. Recreational sex was viewed as a natural desire but not necessary and should be generally avoided.
Epicurus also discouraged participation in politics, as it could give rise to desires that could disturb virtue and one’s peace of mind, such as a lust for power or a desire for fame. He sought to eliminate the fear of death and the gods, which he saw as chief causes of anxiety among human beings.
Introduction To Epicurus’ Philosophy
Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who lived from 341-270 BCE. His philosophy emphasized the importance of pleasure and happiness in life, but not in the way that is commonly understood. For Epicurus, pleasure was not about indulging in excess or pursuing physical pleasures like food, drink, and sex. Instead, he believed that the most pleasant life was one where we abstain from unnecessary desires and achieve inner tranquility by being content with simple things.
Epicurus was also an empiricist who believed that all natural phenomena could be explained in atomic terms. He rejected the existence of transcendent entities and believed that sensations, together with the perception of pleasure and pain, were infallible criteria for knowledge. In terms of ethics, he advocated for living in a way that would derive the greatest amount of pleasure possible during one’s lifetime, yet doing so moderately to avoid suffering from overindulgence.
Epicurus discouraged participation in politics and sought to eliminate the fear of death and the gods, which he saw as chief causes of anxiety among human beings. His philosophy has had a lasting impact on Western thought and continues to be studied and debated today.
The Pursuit Of Pleasure And Moderation
Epicurus’ philosophy on pleasure and happiness centered around moderation. While he believed that pleasure was the chief good in life, he also recognized the importance of avoiding overindulgence. Epicurus argued that too much luxury would make us look at our normal circumstances in despair, which would ultimately reduce our happiness in the long run.
To achieve happiness, Epicurus recommended having simple material goods regularly and avoiding binging on things we love. He believed that occasional luxuries were fine, but excess should be avoided. Epicurus himself ate little more than bread, olives, and cheese, arguing that this made any luxury foods equivalent to a great feast in terms of pleasure obtained from eating them.
Epicurus’ emphasis on moderation extended beyond material goods to other aspects of life as well. He discouraged passionate love and recommended avoiding marriage altogether. Recreational sex was viewed as a natural desire but not necessary and should be generally avoided.
Overcoming Fear Of Death And The Gods
Epicurus believed that the fear of death and the gods were irrational and could be combated through rational argument. He argued that death could not harm us since it only affects the dead, who no longer exist, and the living, who are not yet affected by it. Therefore, there is no need to fear death. Epicurus also believed that the gods were not to be feared since they did not interfere in human affairs and were not concerned with punishing or rewarding humans after death.
Epicurus’ main argument against the fear of death is the “no subject of harm” argument. He believed that if death is bad, it has to be bad for somebody. But since death cannot be bad for the living, who are alive, nor for the dead, who do not exist, there is no need to fear it. The Epicureans also used the “symmetry” argument to combat the fear of death. They argued that since we do not feel horror at our past non-existence before we were born, it is irrational to feel horror at our future non-existence after our death since they are the same.
Epicurus believed that rational argument could take away false beliefs that cause anxiety and suffering in human beings. He saw philosophy as a therapeutic treatment for suffering caused by false beliefs. Therefore, Epicurus believed that eliminating the fear of death and the gods was central to living a happy life.
Materialism And Empiricism In Epicurean Philosophy
Epicurean philosophy is heavily influenced by materialism and empiricism. Epicurus believed that the world was made up of atoms, which were uncuttable bits of matter flying through empty space. He rejected the existence of transcendent entities such as Platonic Ideas or Forms and believed that all natural phenomena could be explained in atomic terms. Epicurus’ materialism led him to reject superstition and divine intervention, advocating for a more rational and scientific approach to understanding the world.
Epicurus was also an empiricist, meaning he believed that knowledge could only be gained through sensory experience. He believed that sensations, together with the perception of pleasure and pain, were infallible criteria for knowledge. Epicurus rejected skepticism as untenable and believed that we could gain knowledge of the world relying upon the senses.
In terms of ethics, Epicurus’ materialism and empiricism played a crucial role in his belief system. He believed that the pursuit of pleasure was the ultimate goal in life, but not in the stereotypical sense. Instead, he advocated for a simple life where one abstains from unnecessary desires and achieves inner tranquility by being content with simple things. This philosophy was heavily influenced by his materialism, as he believed that pleasure could only be derived from material objects and experiences.
Applying Epicurean Principles To Modern Life
Although Epicurean philosophy originated in ancient Greece, its principles can still be applied to modern life. Here are a few ways to apply Epicurean principles to your daily life:
1. Limit your desires: Epicurus believed that the key to happiness was limiting your desires. In modern times, this can mean avoiding consumerism and materialistic pursuits. Instead, focus on the things that truly matter to you, such as relationships, experiences, and personal growth.
2. Practice mindfulness: Epicurus believed in achieving inner tranquility through contentment with simple things. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can help you achieve a similar state of mind by focusing on the present moment and letting go of unnecessary worries.
3. Pursue mental pleasures: While physical pleasures such as food and sex are natural desires, Epicurus believed that true happiness comes from mental pleasures such as the satisfaction of achieving a goal or the enjoyment of learning. Pursue hobbies and interests that challenge you mentally and bring you joy.
4. Avoid overindulgence: Epicurus believed in moderation when it came to pursuing pleasure. In modern times, this means avoiding excess in all areas of life, including food, alcohol, and social media.
5. Embrace friendships: Epicurus believed that the pleasure of philosophical conversation with friends was more valuable than physical pleasures like food or drink. Cultivate meaningful friendships and engage in deep conversations that challenge your thinking and bring you joy.
By applying these principles to your daily life, you can achieve greater happiness and inner peace, just as Epicurus intended.
Criticisms And Controversies Surrounding Epicureanism
Despite Epicurus’ popularity during his time and the flourishing of Epicurean communities after his death, his philosophy was not without criticism and controversy. One of the main criticisms of Epicureanism was its emphasis on pleasure as the ultimate goal of life, which was seen as hedonistic and immoral by some. Critics argued that Epicurus’ philosophy promoted a self-centered lifestyle that did not take into account the well-being of others or society as a whole.
Another controversy surrounding Epicureanism was its rejection of the gods and an immaterial soul. This put Epicurus at odds with traditional Greek beliefs, which held that the gods played an active role in human affairs and that the soul was immortal. Epicurus’ materialistic worldview challenged these beliefs and was seen as heretical by some.
Epicurus’ views on sex and marriage also drew criticism. His rejection of passionate love and marriage was seen as unnatural and went against traditional Greek values. Some saw his philosophy as promoting a cold and emotionless way of life, devoid of meaningful relationships.
Additionally, Epicurus’ emphasis on living a simple life and limiting desires was seen by some as promoting a life of poverty and deprivation. Critics argued that this way of life was not sustainable or desirable for most people.
Despite these criticisms, Epicureanism continued to influence philosophy and thought for centuries after its inception. Its emphasis on living a simple, tranquil life and limiting desires continues to resonate with many people today.
