In this paper, I will prove that Epicureanism is a good philosophy to follow. Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who believed that he found how to make people happy and what people need to do to obtain it. Epicurus had written over 300 works about his philosophy but only parts of them have lasted until today, but his philosophy has been carried on by those practicing it as well as in the fragments of his written works. Epicurus believed that people did not know what they actually want in life, and they buy unnecessary things in attempt to become happy. He also stated that sometimes the things we do want are not the things that we need to become happy and so often times people buy stuff that is useless and unnecessary. Epicurus believed
Epicurus believed that Friends are one of the main three things that people need in life to be happy. This is something that has been proven over time, and is something that everyone needs in their life. Loneliness can lead to many mental health problems such as depression which can cause someone great sadness and problems throughout their life. But like Epicurus friends are important to have and to constantly interact with. To live by his own words Epicurus bought a large house that had enough room for him and all his friends, in which they each had their out rooms and living areas, but they were still together, and would always eat and talk with one another. Epicurus believed that eating alone is a big problem and warned other to never eat alone for it can cause problems and just like it is important to eat throughout the day it is just as important to eat with others. Today depression is large problem that affects many people and often the cause of this depression is loneliness or because the person affected does not have anyone to talk to. Surrounding oneself with the right friends can
Some argue that Friends, Freedom and an Analyzed life alone cannot make people truly happy especially in today’s world which has changed over the few thousands of years since Epicurus has been alive. But these three things are just as important now as they were back in Epicurus’s time, without friendship people are often lonely and this is a major problem that leads to depression and can greatly affect one’s happiness. While it can be said that nowadays people’s “friends” are not the same as they were years ago due to the ease of technology. For example, Epicurus moved into a large estate with all his friends, so they can be close to one another but nowadays “friends” is a broad term. Friends nowadays are often referred to people you may know and have added on Facebook but don’t really know much about. But if we think about it the way Epicurus thought about it friends are not just those you know and occasionally speak with but are those you are close with. And one does not need to move in with their friends just because Epicurus did, but you need to remain close to your friends because friendship is major factor in happiness. The argument of Epicurus being outdated also is made when it came to freedom, because during his time Epicurus was able to simply leave the city and make his own community with his
This man had spent the better part of a year reading and rereading the Handbook of Epictetus, throughout that book the message is similar to one of the topics Sherman touches on, “Some things are up to us and some are not up to us,”(pg 2). Basically the circumstances maybe beyond our control, but ultimately what affects us is our judgements and the way we react. She makes a great point that we underutilize our ability to control ourselves when we let external things drive our happiness and that is the difference in so many people's lives, they wager their happiness and satisfaction on factors that should not ultimately
Epicurus describes these particular aspects of the good life as desires that are natural and necessary desires; for example having access to food and/or the company of friends. When it comes to friends, Epicurus believes that if a friend is experiencing pain and that pain is affecting you in a painful way, then you should let go of that friend, because the friend is hindering you from experiencing real happiness. Obtaining natural and unnecessary desires are seen as just a gateway to unhappiness and an unnecessary burden. The constant desire one has to obtain these unnecessary desires is another way of allowing pain and anxiety into your life. Epicurus also believes that another way to true happiness is the acceptance of the fact that everyone eventually dies. Next the differences between the two ideals will be
Epictetus represents a myriad of concepts. One concept of which being that one should live with the awareness of human imperfection and finitude. He expresses the sentiment that one is able to relinquish the feelings of disrespect and desire by allowing all that is ill-fated to appear before one’s eyes each day. Epictetus states, “Let death and exile and everything that is terrible appear before your eyes every day, especially death; and you will never have anything contemptible in your thoughts or crave anything excessively” (XXI). It is important that we are attentive to the fact that there is much unhappiness and despair in this world. If we do not expose ourselves to such matters, these things will consume us.
Epicurus was admittedly a Hedonist, and this philosophy has had a huge influence on his work. Especially so on his death argument. Hedonism is, “the doctrine that pleasure is the only thing that is good in itself for a person, pain the only thing that is bad in itself for a person.”
Aristotle believes that everyone is in need of some type of friend, he states that “for rich people and those who rule and have power, there seems to be the greatest need for friends.”(page. 144, book VIII) Aristotle believes that we as humans benefit greatly from having friends, no matter who we are or what position we are in wealthy or poor. There are three distinct types of friendship that Aristotle directs his beliefs towards. These three types of friendships include: Utility, pleasure, and Goodness or virtuous friendship. Aristotle believes that friendship is something that is extremely important to have and should be held above many things. Friendship Utility is unlike the friendships of pleasure or goodness because as Aristotle puts it is “for the old” he explains that friendship Utility is a friendship that two people may have where they only communicate with one another for self-benefit or to gain something for one’s self. These two people are not likely to live with each other and at times may not even be nice to th...
claims that “the absence of pain in the body and of disturbance in the soul is a pleasure itself.”(uc davis/goals 1.30) Even though Cicero had a slightly different personal outlook on the definition of pleasure, he still gave reason to support Epicurus’ theory arguing “since when we are freed from pain we rejoice in this very liberation from and absence of annoyance, and since everything in which we rejoice is a pleasure then it is right to call the absence of all pain pleasure.”(uc davis/goals) Cicero and Epicurus’ theories may vary slightly, but they both hold the same core value, that pleasure is the ultimate good in life. However, Pleasure comes in many different forms. The type of pleasure that is advocated by Epicurus and Cicero is not that of vice and over-indulgence, but rather that which has no consequence and is pure of heart. For example, following the Epicurean philosophy, getting drunk, smoking, stealing and any other acts of lust or greed are not considered pleasurable due to fact that they all might have unfavorable repercussions. Temperance is a core value in the Epicurean society in order to achieve true pleasure, however if transitory intemperance is required to avoid greater pain, then it is accepted as a necessary evil.
On passage eleven I shall have to disagree with him since it seems far too cold of a way to go through life. As he wrote this passage it seems that Epictetus was focusing on the fact that the world is an easier place if empathy is lacked in how I go through it so that I can lack any sort of connection to the things that I come in contact with. The world is a cruel place, obviously, and the way I know it can be changed in an instant so it just makes the world easier if I don’t try to become connected to anyone I meet or any of the property I own. I should keep from becoming empathetic about the world around me and never care about the people who are suffering since it causes too much harm to be worried about anyone else. It works if I am able and willing to keep from getting close to anyone in my life though it would make for a lonely existence to always be thinking that to keep everything from being taken away at a moment 's notice, I must not care about anything that I come in contact
Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher, is one of the most influential ancient thinkers. Epictetus believed the purpose of moral philosophy was to help show people the way to lead better lives. He believed that some things in this world are un-controllable and some things are controllable; some things are up to us and some things are not up to us. Epictetus believed our opinions, impulses, desires, aversions, or whatever is our own doing is up to us; however, our bodies, our possessions, our reputations, or whatever is not our own doing, is not up to us. He also believed that we should not try and control the world, but accept it and make the best out of every situation. Epictetus’ aim was to live well, to secure happiness and to offer different solutions as to how life was to be lived. I will attempt to summarize some of Epictetus’ disciplines in a way that will give a simple view on how one should live their life; and also try to interpret his views into modern day living so that through their application ones life will become simplified and therefore enhanced.
Philosophers have discuss and debate about friendship and the true meaning to be a friend to others Aristotle have given requirements as well as qualities a friend possession within different types of friendships. He debates that a good man does not need friends but the points he brings up proves that a good man can not live a pleasant life in solitary.
Hedonism is a theory of morality. There are several popular philosophers who support hedonism; some of whom offer their own interpretation of the theory. This paper will focus on the Epicurean view. Epicurus, a Greek philosophers born in 341 B.C., generated a significant measure of controversy amongst laymen and philosophical circles in regards to his view of the good life. Philosophers whom teachings predate Epicurus’ tended to focus on the question of “How can human beings live a good, morally sound, life?” Epicurus ruffled feathers and ultimately expanded the scope of philosophy by asking “What makes people happy?”
As one ponders on how to live a good life, many ideas come to mind. Whether this may be wealth, family, or beauty, the early philosopher’s theories need to be taken into consideration. Those early philosophers include Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and The Epicureans. These four committed their lives towards bettering life, and are the basis of most philosophical theories. It is evident that these four need to be read, understood, and discussed to better understand one’s life. They always pondered on the thought of how to have a perfect life and society. When one makes their own theory, based upon these early philosophers, not only do they need to establish a strong belief system, it is required to practice this too. Plato had the most basic of theories, being that only virtue was needed in life to be happy and nothing else. For Aristotle, he used Plato’s foundation and added that external goods, such as wealth, respect, friends, and beauty were all necessary. Without one of these, Aristotle believes that one cannot live a happy life. For the Stoics, they settled on a balanced approached between virtue and external goods, saying that virtue is necessary, yet external goods are preferred too. The Epicureans largely argue the Stoics view, and present that pleasure (tranquility) is the goal of every life, but virtues and friends are required for this. Each theory has many critics, even with Aristotle being a critic of his own theory. None seems perfect, yet all fit today’s modern society. I found that I agree with the Stoics theory the most, and find that any external good is fine as long as virtue is the basis of that person’s life.
In the writings of Aristotle, seen in Nicomachean Ethics, it is evident that Aristotle believes that friendship is necessary for a virtuous and therefore happy life. I believe that this is accurate due to the similar conditions necessary for a complete friendship and a happy life. It is also evident that friendship is useful in achieving a happy life because friendship can make performing virtuous actions easier. His interpretation can be misunderstood and mistakes in practice can be made, so we will need to discuss these follies as well, in order to understand all the effects of friendship on achieving a happy life.
Epicurus, the founder of Epicureanism, saw death as a total extinction with no afterlife to ensue, he regarded the universe as infinite and eternal and as consisting only of space and atoms; where the soul or mind is constructed of indestructible parts that can never be destroyed. He sought to free humanity from the fear of death and of the gods, which he considered the main cause of unhappiness.
Epicurus. The Epicurus Reader: Selected Writings and Testimonia. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1994. Translated and Edited by Brad Inwood and L.P. Gerson.
The pursuit for happiness has been a quest for man throughout the ages. In his ethics, Aristotle argues that happiness is the only thing that the rational man desires for its own sake, thus, making it good and natural. Although he lists three types of life for man, enjoyment, statesman, and contemplative, it is the philosopher whom is happiest of all due to his understanding and appreciation of reason. Aristotle’s version of happiness is not perceived to include wealth, honor, or trivial