Epicureanism is a philosophical current that teaches that to be happy, one must have control over fears and desires As a result, you will achieve the state of tranquility and absence of disturbance.

The Epicurean school of thought demonstrated that to find peace and have a happy life, one must eliminate fears of fate, the gods, and death. In short, Epicureanism relies on moderate pleasures to be happy, without suffering and with balance among pleasures.

What is Epicureanism?

Epicurus' philosophy (341-270 BC) was a complete and interdependent system, involving a vision of the goal of human life, which was happiness, resulting from absence of physical pain and mental disturbance In short, it was an empiricist theory of knowledge, where sensations, with the perception of pleasure and pain, are infallible criteria.

Epicurus refuted the possibility of survival of the soul after death, that is, the prospect of punishment in the afterlife, for he understood this to be the primary cause of anxiety among human beings, and anxiety, in turn, as the source of extreme and irrational desires.

In addition, Epicureanism emphasized the need for take care with mental health In this process, the withdrawal from public policies is also noteworthy. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of cultivating friendships.

So, in summary, the philosophical doctrine of Epicureanism had as its main teachings:

• moderate pleasures;
• eliminating the fear of death;
• cultivation of friendships;
• absence of physical pain and mental disturbance.

Therefore, in Epicureanism elimination of fears and desires corresponding would leave people free to pursue the pleasures, both physical and mental, to which they are naturally drawn, and to enjoy the peace of mind that is a consequence of their regularly expected and achieved satisfaction.

About the Philosopher Epicurus

Epicurus of Samos was the creator of Epicureanism. Born on the island of Samos, Greece, possibly in 341 B.C., of Athenian parents, he began to study philosophy at an early age, and his father sent him to Theos, a region in Ionia, to further his studies.

He soon learned about the atomist philosophy preached in Theos by Democritus of Abdera, which aroused great interest, and he devoted himself to the study of the atom for years, and then began to formulate his own theories, disagreeing with some of the original questions.

Different from most philosophers, Epicurus advocated a practical philosophy, and thus, he was accountable to the philosophical Academy. Meanwhile, in the year 306 B.C., Epicurus created his philosophical school, with epicurean and atomistic teachings This one is called the Garden, and he taught until his death in 270 B.C.

Summary on Epicureanism

In short, Epicurus taught that to achieve happiness, freedom, tranquility, and freedom from fear, a human being must keep to a life of moderate pleasures.

In addition, other teachings stand out among the Epicureans. For full happiness, it is important to feel pleasure in every action performed, without anguish and worries.

As well as, to avoid pain and worries, the epicureanism It also preached the importance of closeness to nature, so that one could feel closer to freedom.

Likewise, Epicureans encourage friendship, for it is one of the ways to exchange opinions and achieve pleasures.For them, be kind and have friendships helps to achieve immediate pleasure by enjoying the relationship.

How was the state seen by Epicurus?

State policies are of little value to the Epicureans, since, for them, the state arises from individual interests. Given that developed and complex societies create rules that are only obeyed by when people, in some way, have advantages.

For this reason political and social organizations are not highlighted in Epicurus' works.

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Differences between Epicureanism and Stoicism

The two philosophical currents, Epicureanism and Stoicism, have some different views. Stoicism is based on ethics for obeying the laws of nature, ensuring that the universe was guided by a divided order ( Divine Logos) .

In this way, the Stoics understood that happiness was only attained with man's domination over his passions, which were considered the vices of his soul. In this sense, they believed in moral and intellectual perfection, through the concept called " Apathea ", being indifference to all that is external to the being.

Differently, for the Epicureans, the men have individual interests which moved them to seek their pleasures and happiness.

Just as, for Epicureanism, there was no reincarnation; on the contrary, the Stoics believed that the soul should always be cultivated.

Finally, the Epicureans preached man's pleasures. In contrast, the Stoics cherished virtue as the individual's only good. In other words, Stoicism advocated that in order to have tranquility we must eliminate pleasures.

Learn more about the Hellenistic Greek philosophical schools

In advance, know that Greek Philosophy lasted from the creation of Ancient Greek Philosophy (late 7th century B.C.), until the Hellenistic period and the medieval period of philosophy (6th century A.D.). Greek Philosophy is divided into three main periods:

1. pre-Socratic;
2. Socratic (classical or anthropological);
3. Hellenistic.

In short, Hellenistic philosophy emerged after the death of Alexander the Great, with the domination of the Roman Empire. At this point, cosmopolitanism emerges, seeing Greeks as citizens of the world.

Thus, the philosophers of this period become important critics of classical philosophy, especially Plato and Aristotle. Above all, they brought visions to distance individuals from religious and natural issues of that time.

As a result, the Hellenistic Schools with different lines of thought, the main ones being:

• Cetiscimo;
• Epicureanism;
• Stoicism;
• Cynicism.

However, the study of Greek philosophy leads us to reflect on human behavior for the pursuit of happiness As in Epicureanism, where happiness is assimilated by the pursuit of moderate and immediate pleasures, in the subtlest details. Emphasizing, also, the absence of pain and mental disturbances.

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