Epicureanism

History:

I. Epicurus of Samos (341-270 B. C.) son of Neocles and Chaerestrate, was an

Athenian from the district of Gargettus district.

II. created his school, the Garden, in Athens--instructed his followers in the art

of rational living.
III. Epicureanism was created by Epicurus as a challenge to Platonism, however,
Democritus had propounded an analogous philosophy nearly a century
earlier.
IV. Later on, the school of Epicureanism became one of the three dominant
schools of Hellenistic philosophy (Along with Stoicism and Skepticism).
V. During Epicurus' lifetime, its members included Hermarchus, Metrodorus,

Idomeneus, Colotes, and Polyaenus.

VI. Epicureanism lasted for almost 600 years until it became repressed by the
Christian church and washed-away for a time.

Definition:

Epicureanism, the Philosophy taught by Epicururs.

 The goal of life should be “pleasure” – meaning freedom from pain, anxiety, fear, and un-
satisfied desires.
 Popular Parlance: Epicureanism thus means devotion to pleasure, comfort, and high living, with
a certain nicety of style.
 According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “a person who appreciates fine food and drink.”
Archaic: “one devoted to sensual pleasure."

A. Main belief: pleasure is the end (telos) of life: by pleasure he meant the lack of pain.

1. Pleasure is the freedom of the body from pain and the soul from confusion--not a
positive condition.

2. Taught a moderate asceticism, self-control, and independence. One should not accept a
lot of responsibilities and serious involvement.

3. Pleasures which bear throughout a life-time are sought, not momentary pleasures.
Epicurus praised a life that escapes other people’s notice.

B. Pleasure is the absence of pain or the avoidance of pain, rather than a positive satisfaction.
More important, pleasure is the lack of a troubled soul.

1. Examples: intellectual pleasure, serenity of soul, health of body.

2. Even though every pain is evil and pleasure good, Epicurean hedonism is meant to result
in a calm and tranquil life, not libertinism and excess.

a. Avoid pleasures which are extreme: they have painful concomitants.

b. Lasting pleasure is not a bodily sensation.

c. "Though he is being tortured on the rack, the wise [person] is still happy."

C. Epicurus distinguished between higher and lower pleasures (an influence on J.S. Mill).

higher pleasures: pleasures of the mind--intellectual and aesthetic.

lower pleasures: pleasures of the body--food, drink, and sex.

 Epicureanism includes positions on many major philosophical questions:

Metaphysics, Epistemology, Theology, and How to Live.
How to Live:
 Enjoy sensual pleasures, but moderately, because otherwise they may lead to pain
later.
 Enjoy mental pleasures, which are better than sensual pleasures, such as the
company and conversation of friends
 Use knowledge and reason to make decisions that lead to happiness
 Don’t worry about the gods or death
 Rid yourself of fears and desires through simple peaceful living
  Avoid intense relationships that might disturb your peace of mind
 Avoid politics and public affairs, which disturb peace of mind

Other Examples:

Example #1:

Example #2:
Example #2: American pop culture in general

'The pursuit of Happiness' is a famous phrase in a famous document, the United States Declaration of
Independence (1776). (Thomas Jefferson, the Author, was an Epicurean.)

[[America was (according to the Declaration of Independence) founded for the pursuit of personal
happiness. And it is considered normal to live for pleasure in America. Most Americans also believe in
the separation of church and state and rational pragmatism in general, all Epicurean attitudes. Perhaps
it is a poor comparison though, because Epicurus defined pleasure as a peaceful state of mind free from
desires and fears, which does not seem very American!]]

Example #3: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

[[This late 80s pop tune by the immensely talented Bobby McFerrin (the song is 100% acapella) seems to
express the best spirit of Epicureanism – and not just superficially; they lyrics explain that worrying
about problems is worse than just having problems. Epicurus also thought it was more valuable to
develop a worry-free mind than a materially comfortable life.]]

Example #4:
“It is natural to enjoy sex, but sex will make you unhappy if you hope to possess your lover for all time.”
– Ehrenfeld, F. (2019)

Example #5:

Modern couples who choose to be 'child-free'. – Ehrenfeld, F. (2019)

Example #6:

“Nicotine from cigarettes provides a sense of pleasure. So shouldn’t we all smoke?

No, because it carries more pain with it than pleasure.” – Gazur, B. (2015)

Example #7: (Risk that avoiding pain may harm us.)

“An old man with a damaged hip has the choice of a painful operation or doing nothing.”

– Gazur, B. (2015)

“Learning a language is difficult, but having learned it we have a whole new world to explore.”

– Gazur, B. (2015)

Example #9:

“Imagine a man who Example #8:

stops at the bakery to pick up a dozen cakes every day.” – Gazur, B. (2015)

References:
  Philosophy 302: Ethics Epicureanism (2009). Retrieved from
https://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/epicurus.html?fbclid=IwAR1E7BNtqGh2hoA3BOTaXpW4T
o4hZo6qWcDiwzKw7D5q1c5jxIiyMSx6ui8
 The Basics of Philosophy (2008-2019). Retrieved from
https://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_epicureanism.html?fbclid=IwAR06ldCdmSUho8NKz
HgOhOU9-yeEkN9_a0SBcE3dsUNmkwvJ12cOP0q4DCE
 Duignan, B. & Diano, C. (n.d.). Epicureanism. Britannica. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epicureanism
 Philosophy Terms (n.d.). Retrieved from https://philosophyterms.com/epicureanism/
 Ehrenfeld, T. (July 02, 2019). Big Think. Retrieved from https://bigthink.com/culture-
religion/epicurean-pursuit-of-happiness?fbclid=IwAR06ldCdmSUho8NKzHgOhOU9-
yeEkN9_a0SBcE3dsUNmkwvJ12cOP0q4DCE
 Gazur, B. ( June 09, 2015). Why Epicurus Matters Today? Retrieved from
https://www.themantle.com/philosophy/why-epicurus-matters-
today?fbclid=IwAR2Vh6SuD5cJUALH_3ZmCZeBNoE6W3yf4Ay6PIq6gW4N3oMpxYfHTUjkNoU

hahhaImages:

 Retrieved from
https://static.existentialcomics.com/comics/epicureanPartySchool2.png?fbclid=IwAR3UQmdgL_
O2B5PZVDJgO55FRedo9LPPONUAKJO3dPp3bcCgNOiTtwA5tnw
 Clarke, J. (August 12, 2019). Very Well. Retrieved from
https://www.verywellmind.com/epicurean-philosophy-and-happiness-4177914
 Retrieved from
http://www.faculty.umb.edu/gary_zabel/Courses/Spinoza/Texts/Epicurus_info%20%20E-
Texts%20%20The%20Life%20of%20Epicurus.htm