Epicureanism: what it is, and proposals of this philosophical doctrine

The Greek philosopher Epicurus believed that pleasure and happiness went hand in hand. His philosophy, Epicureanism, is considered a kind of medicine for the soul, so it is not surprising that he has had many followers throughout history.

Epicureanism is committed to the search for spiritual pleasures and the absence of fear in order to enjoy life.. It is a materialist current that promulgates not being afraid of the gods or death, but satisfying our pleasures but in a rational way.

Having followers like Horace, Lucretius and Virgil, Epicureanism has been a very famous current throughout history. Let's see what this hedonistic philosophical current consists of.

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What is Epicureanism?

Epicureanism is a doctrine developed by the Greek philosopher Epicurus (341 BC). c. – 270 BC C.). According to him, the search for the well-being of the mind and body should be the goal of every person. Pleasures must be both spiritual and physical, and in his concept of happiness the absence of disturbances and pain to achieve it is also conceived. The human being is happy when he reaches the perfect balance between body and mind, which is called ataraxia.

Epicurus was born on Samos in 342 BC. C., within a family of the Athenian nobility. At the age of fourteen he moved to Teos where he received the teachings of Nausíphanes, a disciple of Democritus. At eighteen he moved to Athens, having traveled throughout Greece, where he would found his own school. Known as the Garden of Epicurus, this school became famous for cultivating friendship and allowing women to participate., unlike other Hellenic philosophical schools.

The Epicurean philosophy is that of an ethics of pleasure. It holds that to achieve a happy life there should be no presence of pain, both physical and moral.. In this sense, he pointed out that the presence of pleasure indicated the absence of pain, as well as any type of distress, whether physical such as hunger or sexual tension or mental such as boredom, apathy, or anger.

Epicurus considered that pleasures should not be limited to the body, but also those of the mind should be satisfied.. While those of the body were apparently more important to satisfy, they were also shorter. On the other hand, those of the soul, although more complicated, were also more durable and helped to mitigate the pain of the body. Hence, Epicurus promulgates the importance of seeking a balance between these pleasures, because only with such would happiness be achieved.

This philosophy is considered materialistic. Epicurus believed that in order to free themselves from fear and achieve pleasure, human beings had to free themselves from fear. to the gods, fear of death and fear of destiny, because with those fears it is not possible to enjoy life. In Epicureanism it is affirmed that one should not be afraid of the gods, that any idea of ​​the afterlife is just an imposture, since the gods are alien to human affairs. Death should not be feared either because, while we are, death is not present and, when it arrives, we are no longer there.

Epicureanism is, together with Cynicism, Stoicism and Skepticism, one of the first great schools that marked the passage from the classical period to the Hellenistic period in the history of Ancient Greece. As great followers of this current we find Horace (65-8 a. C.), Virgil (70-19 a. C.) Lucretius (99-55 a. C.), Lorenzo Valla (1407-1457) and Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655).

The doctrines of Epicureanism were collected by Diogenes Laertius in his Tetrapharmaceutical work, a summary of Epicurean thought that defined them as the "maximum capitals". This work talks about four main postulates:

• Do not fear the gods.

• Do not fear the Reaper.

• What is good is easy to get.

• What is terrible is easy to bear.

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types of pleasures

Epicurus considered that both pleasures and afflictions were caused by the satisfaction or prevention of the satisfaction of the appetites. In his epicurean philosophy it is considered that there are four types of pleasures.

• Natural and necessary: ​​eating, sleeping, keeping warm...
• Natural but not necessary: ​​carnal satisfaction, a good conversation...
• Not natural or necessary: ​​desire for power, fame...
• Not natural but necessary: ​​wear clothes, have money...

Other types of pleasures that Epicureanism speaks of are the pleasures of the soul; the pleasures of the body, which are the most important for the survival of the organism; stable pleasures, which are those that come to be felt when there is no pain or affliction of any kind; and mobile pleasures, which can be both physical and mental and involve some kind of change. Among the latter we would find the pleasure of joy.

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Hedonism and Epicureanism

Although Epicureanism is considered a hedonistic current, it can be said that it does not completely coincide with hedonism. Epicureans aim to achieve physical, intellectual, and emotional fulfillment, while hedonists focus more on the body, leaving aside the rest of pleasures and non-physical needs.

Epicureans must avoid pain and disturbances, seeking pleasure, but also without going overboard. because the luxuries and excessive comforts do not serve to live a life in harmony and enjoy the peace. Although many epicureans led a life isolated from the world, they did not completely dispense with the company but they liked to forge friendly relationships and maintain interesting conversations where ideas were exchanged and opinions.

It should be noted that Epicureanism carries out a search for pleasure without neglecting reason. The Epicureans considered that, on more than one occasion, it is necessary to accept a pain that can bring us greater pleasure. And also vice versa: a pleasure must be rejected that, in the future, could bring us greater pain. Only by associating happiness with reason is it possible to achieve ataraxia and a state of serenity where there are no disturbances.