Epicurus Philosophies on Living a Good Life

Epicurus Philosophies on Living a Good Life

Epicurus was among the ancient philosophers during the Hellenistic period who not only believed in happiness but also tranquility and moderation. Also, Epicurus is an icon in the scientific world due to his view on atomism which asserts that the macroscopic world is as a result of atom configuration. In his philosophies, Epicurus had a strong belief that everyone is entitled to happiness only if the individual’s energy and faith aimed towards significant desires. Also, Epicurus advises individuals that for them to stay happy, unnecessary desires ought to refrain from the mindset and replace them with a lot of focus in tranquility. Unquestionably, understanding Epicurus proclamations sheds more light in peoples’ beliefs on life. Inevitably, people ought to live a blessed life as the philosopher suggests with little disturbance on their souls since nature supplies all which is needed to live such lives.

Being a philosopher with profound knowledge on aspects of life, Epicurus believes that only three pillars are required for one to live a stress-free life with little pressure but full of happiness. According to Sellars (Pg. 62), such components include friends, freedom and positive thoughts. Positive thoughts have the power to eradicate high levels of pain since the mind only needs a minute training of happy imaginations which help in relieving pain. For instance, while undergoing a high level of suffering Victor Frankl; a Viennese psychiatrist used to visualize about his wife and the good memories they shared which brought a feeling of happiness (Shusterman, Pg. 54).

Epicurus’ view of friends is perceived to be unique because he saw them as a gift from nature to live a happy life. Generally, happiness is a public affair which is acquired more readily when a group of people with like-minds come together rather than when an individual tries to. Referring to one of Epicurus quotation, friendship is among the best things wisdom can provide an individual with to make them happy since it inspires one another in the pursuit towards happiness (Neuringe & Walter, Pg. 30). On the other hand, freedom from a stressful environment or event leads to the living of a good life. Freedom gives individuals time to focus and practice on what brings them to hope to live. However, nowadays people are in the pursuit of what pleases them rather than focusing on their freedom of living without pain and worries. For instance, a majority of the world’s population wake up every day to look for more money which is capable of buying them expensive clothes, drinks and taking them to luxurious vacations despite searching for happiness through natural means (Shusterman, Pg. 17). According to Epicurus quotes, people should not spoil or despise what they have due to their desire to have what they lack and abundance is constituted by what people enjoy rather than what they have (Sellars, Pg. 64). Besides, Epicurus left Athens city to have freedom from politics and the prestigious city life.

Consequently, Epicurus shared his view on wants and needs which could help people make correct decisions hence living a good life. Admittedly, he urged individuals to focus on the essential needs required daily rather than wants which required additional spending. In his philosophies, he criticizes the people who believe in the power of money and human assets to bring happiness by affirming that nature has already provided the aspects required to live a better life (Neuringe & Walter, Pg. 24). Most of the people live in a state of anxiety which is regarded as the killer of a better life by Epicurus. The fear of what will happen in the future, as well as, the fear of death is among the most significant obstructions of living a good life. Additionally, Epicurus says that people should not fear what the gods have in store for them but live their life towards achieving mental tranquility (Shusterman, Pg. 26). At his time, he experienced a lot of criticism from the Christianity religion since his philosophical view suggested that the gods will punish everyone who believed in false beliefs.

In conclusion, I agree with Epicurus philosophies about life such as his philosophies on death, happiness, and pleasure. Since most peoples’ mindset focus on money and all that money can buy, they journey towards finding happiness has changed over time. People ought to visualize and integrate Epicurus philosophies since they have a lot of positive ideas which can change how they perceive life to be. A large percentage of the world’s population is living in poverty which restrains them from even satisfying their basic needs therefore if money was considered the source of happiness more than two-thirds of the world’s population will be ever gloomy, depressed and full of sadness. However, people need money to survive.

References

Neuringer, Allen, and Walter Englert. “Epicurus and BF Skinner: In search of the good life.” Journal of the experimental analysis of behavior 107.1 (2017): 21-33.

Sellars, John. “Philosophy as a Way of Life.” The Philosophers’ Magazine 83 (2018): 60-65.

Shusterman, Richard. Practicing philosophy: Pragmatism and the philosophical life. Routledge, 2016.