Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who believed that happiness was the ultimate goal in life. He argued that we should avoid pain and seek pleasure, but not in the sense of indulging in hedonistic excess. Instead, he believed that true happiness came from a state of tranquility and inner peace that could only be achieved by living a simple and virtuous life.
Epicurus taught that we should not fear death or the gods, as they had no power over us. He believed that the universe was composed of atoms and that everything was made up of these tiny particles. He argued that our souls were also made up of atoms and that they would disperse when we died, so there was nothing to fear in death.
In terms of ethics, Epicurus taught that we should live our lives according to the principles of moderation, self-control, and rationality. He believed that we should avoid excess and indulge in only what was necessary for a happy life. He also taught that we should not be swayed by fear or superstition, but should instead use reason and critical thinking to guide our actions.
He believes for most people, pleasures come from unnecessary things. most essential Aspects of happiness are not necessarily related to money and physical pleasure, actually, they come from Friends, Thinking, and no anxiety.
his view of pleasure is far from the stereotypical one. For Epicurus, the most pleasant life is one where we abstain from unnecessary desires and achieve inner tranquility (ataraxia) by being content with simple things, and by choosing the pleasure of philosophical conversation with friends over the pursuit of physical pleasures like food, and drink and sex.
Necessary desires are those which are necessary to produce happiness, such as desiring to get rid of bodily pain or desiring a state of inner tranquility.
the end of all our actions is to be free from pain and fear, and once this is obtained the tempest of the soul is quelled
Epicurus
The aim is rather the attaining of a neutral state which is best described as “peace of mind” or even “emptiness” to use a Buddhist expression. The Greek word Epicurus uses for this state is ataraxia, which literally means “freedom from worry.”
unnecessary desires, like desiring a bigger car or a more luxurious meal, typically produce unhappiness
There is an old quote:
Send me a pot of cheese, so that I may have a feast when I care to
Epicurus
Pleasure is our first and kindred good. It is the starting point of every choice and of every aversion, and to it we always come back, inasmuch as we make feeling the rule by which to judge of every good thing.
Epicurus
Friendship
Epicurus also believed in the importance of friendship, and he taught that having good friends was essential to a happy life. He believed that true friends should be honest, trustworthy, and supportive and that they should share our values and goals. He lived in a vast house with his friends.
we don’t exist when there is nobody to see (verify) that. What we say doesn’t mean anything unless someone comprehends it.
NO Anxiety
there are two self-imposed beliefs that do the most to make our lives unhappy or full of pain. They are first, the belief that we will be punished by the gods for our bad actions, and second, that death is something to be feared. Both of these beliefs produce fear and anxiety and are completely unnecessary since they are based on fiction.
Death is meaningless to the living because they are living, and meaningless to the dead… because they are dead.
Epicurus
Overall, Epicurus’ philosophy emphasizes the importance of living a simple, virtuous, and rational life in pursuit of happiness and tranquility. His teachings on the nature of the universe and the meaning of life continue to influence philosophical and scientific thinking today.
References
[1] The Consolations of Philosophy, Alain de Botton
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