Epicurianism

1. The Cyrenaic School: Immediate Joy

Founded by Aristippus, this school practiced an extreme form of Hedonism (the belief that pleasure is the highest good).

Key Beliefs

  • The Present Moment: Only the pleasure you feel right now matters. Don't worry about the past or the future.
  • Sensual Pleasure: They valued physical enjoyments, such as delicious food, touch, and physical comfort.
  • Intensity: A short, intense burst of pleasure is better than a long, mild one.

Example: A Cyrenaic would eat a rich, heavy dessert because it tastes amazing now, even if it causes a stomach ache later.

2. Epicureanism: Refined Peace

Epicurus also believed in pleasure, but he was much more cautious. He felt that the best life was one of moderation and calm.

Active vs. Passive Pleasure

  • Active Pleasure: The excitement of satisfying a desire (like eating a feast). Aristippus loved this.
  • Passive Pleasure: The state of being satisfied and free from pain. Epicurus preferred this.

The Goal: Ataraxia

For Epicurus, the ultimate goal was Ataraxia. This means:

  • Peace of mind.
  • No fear or worry.
  • No bodily pain

4. Epicurus on Death and Science

Epicurus used Atomism (the idea that everything is made of tiny atoms) to remove fear from people's lives.

  • No Fear of Death: He argued that the soul is made of atoms that scatter when we die. Since there is no soul left to feel pain, death cannot hurt us.
  • No Fear of Gods: He believed that if gods exist, they do not get involved in human lives or punish us.
  • Philosophy as Medicine: He saw philosophy as a tool to cure the mind of fear and superstition.

5. How to Live an Epicurean Life

Epicurus gave specific advice for finding happiness:

A. Understand Your Desires

He divided desires into three types to help people choose wisely:

  1. Natural and Necessary: Food, water, and shelter. (Focus on these).
  2. Natural but Not Necessary: Fancy, expensive food. (Enjoy rarely).
  3. Neither Natural nor Necessary: Fame, power, and high status. (Avoid these).

B. Practice Moderation

"He who is not satisfied with little is satisfied with nothing." Epicurus taught that we should reduce our desires rather than try to increase our wealth.

C. Value Friendship

Friendship was the greatest source of pleasure for Epicurus. He lived in a community called "The Garden" where friends discussed philosophy and lived simply.

D. Use Prudence

Prudence (practical wisdom) is the most important virtue. It helps you decide when to avoid a small pleasure now to get a bigger one later, or when to endure pain now to avoid worse pain later (like going to the doctor).

PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B4FOKuaTH8ldY1AoN5UEW2kiFj3kTfhg/view?usp=sharing

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