Philosophy Of Epicureanism

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Name – Shreya Singh ID No. – 2016A1PS505H Epicureanism is the system of philosophy based upon the ideas of a Greek philosopher, Epicurus (341-270BCE), of the Hellenistic period. He believed that attaining ataraxia, a state of tranquillity, is the ultimate goal of life and can be achieved by pursuing mental pleasures rather than physical ones. According to him, fear of death and of Gods is the primary reason for one’s troubles. One can feel mental pleasure once these fears are eradicated. He took the help of Democritus’ Atomism and modified it so as to make a solid foundation for his arguments against these fears. He held friendship in high regard as he believed it to be one of the ways to be happy. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, empiricist…show more content…
He supports Aristotle’s idea that happiness is the greatest good of human life and can be achieved by pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain. This may seem hedonistic at the first glance but is different from hedonism in the sense that pleasure of the mind is given priority over physical pleasure. The way to attain such pleasure is to live modestly, limit one’s desires, involve oneself in philosophical discussions, get free from the fear of death and Gods and eradicate the sensation of pain in mind. Epicurus defines two types of pleasures – moving and static. Moving pleasures refer to the process of satisfaction of a desire like, drinking water when thirsty. Static pleasures refer to the state of having a desire fulfilled, like feeling contended after drinking water. In his view, static pleasures are better than moving pleasures because of the feeling of content, no want involved with the former. He also distinguishes between physical and mental pleasures and pains. Physical pleasures and pains are due to what we feel at the present moment whereas mental pleasures and pains are due to the past, present and future. It is by controlling pain –mental and physical and physical pleasure one can achieve ataraxia, the ultimate goal of life. Epicurus writes in his letter to Idomeneus – “On this truly happy day of my life, as I am at the point of death, I write this…show more content…
This is evident in his saying, ‘To eat and drink without a friend is to devour like the lion and the wolf.’ Just as reciprocity is recommended because it is mutually beneficial so is friendship. For two people to be friends they must trust each other, feel each other’s joy and pain as their own. Such friends provide security, mental peace and aid in achieving happiness, the ultimate goal of life. Epicurus lays emphasis on practising the precepts ‘with one who is like minded’. Although friendship arises due to utility it must be chosen for its own
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