Have you ever wondered what truly makes us happy?
About 2,300 years ago, an ancient Greek philosopher named Epicurus spent his life looking for an answer. He founded Epicureanism, a philosophy that considers pleasure the highest good. But unlike what you might think, it’s not about living without limits or embracing a wild lifestyle. Pleasure in life is not about excess.
Instead, Epicureanism teaches us to master our pleasures, live with contentment, and free ourselves from pain and fear.
In this article…
Origins of Epicurean Philosophy
In the 4th century BC, Epicurus opened a school in Athens to teach his ideas. Followers of his philosophy were called Epicureans. Their philosophy is based on the belief that people naturally tend towards pleasure and avoid suffering.
Pleasure is the first good. It is the beginning of every choice and every aversion. It is the absence of pain in the body and of troubles in the soul.
Epicurus
At the time, Epicureanism was the main rival of another famous philosophy, Stoicism. While the Stoics aimed to accept pain, the Epicureans sought to avoid it at all costs.
Epicureanism Involves Moderating Pleasure, Not Seeking It
Epicureans affirm that pleasure is essential. But it’s not just about seeking any pleasure endlessly.
Epicurus categorized natural pleasures into two main types:
- Natural and Essential Pleasures: These are our basic needs, such as food, sleep, and security. We must fulfill these without question.
- Natural but Non-Essential Pleasures: These are the extras or the “nice-to-haves” like sleeping in late on weekends when you already had sufficient rest or enjoying a gourmet dessert after a meal when a piece of fruit would do. Epicurus saw these as valid but advised moderation. For example, we shouldn’t oversleep when we have responsibilities or abuse chocolate just because it tastes good. Otherwise, we’d have to deal with the side effects.
Epicurus insisted on the need to moderate our pleasures. Even seemingly harmless desires can become sources of suffering if not controlled. For example, occasionally enjoying chocolate may be pleasant, but abusing it can have negative consequences. The idea is that pleasure in excess can turn against us and become a cause of suffering.
Epicurus also taught us to weigh short-lived desires against long-term satisfaction. For instance, we might skip a few nights out to save time and money for a vacation or a more comfortable apartment.
The key point is that we can control and plan our pleasures. While going to a party can be enjoyable, so can a relaxing island getaway. It’s about making choices that lead to more lasting contentment.
Unnatural Desires Keep Us from Inner Peace
We’ve discussed natural pleasures – both essential and non-essential.
Epicurus recognized that there are other desires that are neither natural nor necessary. These unnatural desires stem from cultural and social influences.
But what exactly are these unnatural desires? Imagine a voice inside you, constantly whispering that you’re not enough – that you need just one more thing to be complete.
These desires come from within, but they are not your own voice. Instead, they reflect what society dictates as desirable and valid.
This voice might urge you to chase wealth far beyond your needs, to collect jewelry and luxury cars you rarely drive, or to seek fame at any cost. These are the unnatural desires Epicurus warned us about.
At their core, these desires stem from a sense of lack. They convince us that without certain possessions or achievements, we’re somehow incomplete.
It’s a powerful illusion that can drive us to exhaustion in pursuit of satisfaction. Once you give in to these unnatural desires, it’s like falling into a deep hole. The more you try to satisfy them, the deeper you sink, making it harder and harder to climb back out.
Epicurus saw these desires as fundamentally misaligned with our nature. Unlike natural pleasures, which can bring genuine contentment when enjoyed in moderation, unnatural desires are insatiable.
Think of them as feeding a monster that grows with each meal. At first, small offerings might suffice. But soon, the monster requires more and more, never satisfied, always hungry.
This is the trap of unnatural desires – the more we feed them, the stronger their hold becomes, and the more the doors to inner peace close.
Simplicity Instead
The highest goal of an Epicurean disciple was ataraxia. This means inner peace and being free from worry. Epicurus taught us to balance our desires and be happy with what we have.
The key to this tranquil state doesn’t lie in excess or luxury but in simplicity and moderation.
True pleasure comes first from contentment in what we have, not by focusing on what we lack. With this mindset, we can break the chains of constant worry about possessions and status.
He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.
Epicurus
By adopting simplicity and minimalism, Epicureans sought to free themselves from materialism. Instead, they focused on what truly brings lasting happiness: meaningful friendships, the pursuit of knowledge, and inner tranquility.
Friendships and Community
In Epicurean philosophy, friendships and community are highly valued. Humans are inherently social creatures, and our well-being is closely tied to our relationships with others. True happiness and tranquility cannot be achieved without the presence of others.
Close friends provide emotional support and engaging conversations. They help us overcome life’s challenges by offering different perspectives and advice when we face difficulties. Through engaging discussions, friends stimulate our minds, challenge our ideas, and contribute to our intellectual growth.
Beyond that, it is through others that we become aware of our own existence. The presence of others gives our lives context and meaning. They give us a reason to be and inspire us to reach our potential.
Overcoming Fear for a Peaceful Mind
Epicurus believed that many of our anxieties stem from irrational fears, particularly those related to death and the gods. Overcoming these fears will help us achieve joy in life and inner peace.
Death is one of man’s most sinister and dreadful ideas. Epicurus taught that death doesn’t concern us because it is simply the end of sensation. When we are alive, death is not present, and when death occurs, we no longer exist to experience it.
Similarly, Epicurus argued that fear of the gods is unnecessary. He believed that the gods, if they exist, are indifferent to human affairs and do not interfere with our lives.
In essence, the path to a tranquil life lies in recognizing and overcoming the fears that hold us back. In doing so, we embrace the core Epicurean principle of a life free of unnecessary worries, focused on authentic pleasure, the present moment, and inner peace.
Is Epicureanism Relevant in Today’s Society?
The ideas of Epicureanism, such as the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, continue to inspire us today. Some might even argue that our society is the most Epicurean it has ever been. But is this truly the case?
What force truly guides our society today? Is it contentment, simplicity, or minimalism?
In reality, it is the sensation of lack and the desire to have and to purchase that truly govern our society. We live with these desires, which Epicurus described as unnatural and vain. In fact, we are subject to them, using every means at our disposal to satisfy them.
We believe that by fulfilling these desires, we will finally achieve happiness. However, pleasures based on lack can only ruin our peace of mind.
We forget that these desires will never be satisfied. We always want more, often dedicating our entire lives to this pursuit. We lose sight of the fact that inner peace can only come from within and not from ephemeral external things.
True happiness comes from the simple things in life: sharing good times with our loved ones, enjoying discussions with friends, and cultivating our spirit.
Desiring and seeking pleasure is not wrong. What is wrong is becoming a slave to fleeting things and forgetting what is truly important. It is wrong to sacrifice what really matters to feed a monster that knows no satisfaction.
A true Epicurean never allows himself to be carried away by his desires. He chooses and moderates his pleasures to achieve lasting tranquility and joy in life.
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