Epicureanism

The greatest objective in life is happiness, peace of mind and tranquility (ataraxia in Greek), freedom from fear and anxiety.

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Anxiety is worse than bodily pain. Present suffering soon passes; anxiety lasts a long time.

Comment: and pharmaceuticals only mask it.

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The quality of pleasure is more important than the quantity.

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Fear causes mental anguish. Epicureanism seeks to reduce, even abolish, fear.

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Do not be afraid of the gods: they do not concern themselves with human problems; nor do they reward or punish you in this world or when you die. There is neither a Heaven nor a Hell.

Comment: Heaven and hell were invented to offer hope to the hope-less and as a means of frightening the general populace into compliance. No wonder kings through the ages have loved the idea.

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Do not fear death: life is feeling or sensation; when life ends, there is no feeling. Death does not hurt.

Comment: Epicurus believed that man is a bundle of atoms. You have eternal life only in so far as your atoms are recycled forever in a myriad of forms.

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Do not fear Nature: Nature is indifferent; the universe is but the motion and the mingling of atoms.

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Every pleasure in itself is good and every pain is bad, but some pains should be put up with for the sake of future pleasure, and some pleasures should be forgone because they could lead to future pain.

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Live simply and prudently, with self-control and moderation. Seek simple pleasures, those that satisfy natural and necessary desires, chief of which are food, drink, clothing, shelter,friendship and love.

Comment: the idea that Epicureanism is tantamount to hedonism and self-indulgence is a piece of mischief invented by the early Christians and perpetuated by the Roman Catholic church today.

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Seeking luxuries (extravagant food, excessive drink or sex) creates anxiety in our minds and disturbance in our bodies.

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Avoid excess of all kinds; simple pleasures are preferable to painful excesses.

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Make and cultivate friends: they provide security and pleasant conversation.

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Avoid upsetting and offending people and take no part in the activities of the polis (body politic)

Comment: Epicurus and his friends stayed in their famous Garden (which survived in Athens for nearly six hundred years) and refused to be come involved in politics. Today we may not agree with this, but we can nevertheless create our own types of “Garden” with our friends, nurturing and protecting our values, being good citizens, putting forward well- researched arguments and avoiding giving offence.

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Make agreements with others (laws), so that we do not disturb one another.

Comment: Epicurus would have agreed that laws should be made to protect people’s safety and security, but not to forcibly change their natural behaviour. In this he was a fore-runner of libertarianism.

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There is no absolute right or wrong, justice or injustice. Justice is simply what society agrees to, and can differ from community to community. [cultural relativism].

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Live justly and obey the laws. Thus you avoid the anxiety of wondering if you will be caught and punished.

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When you are young, think about the good times that lie ahead. Do not fear the future. We can control some things, but we cannot control everything. Try not to fret about things you cannot control.

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When you are old, think about the good times you have had. That will make up for the annoying pain involved in getting older.

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When enough security against other people is achieved, if one has enough power and material wealth as a base, then one can have the safety of a quiet life in tranquility, apart from the crowd.

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Mental pleasure is better than bodily pleasure. Keep educating yourself, keep your mind alive.