Epicureanism

Epicureanism is a philosophy developed the teachings and ideals of a man named Epicurus. Epicureanism is defined by Epicurus as the pleasure for the end of all morality and that real pleasure is attained through a life of prudence, honor, and justice. Epicurus introduced this philosophy around 322 B.C, and two schools established in Athens. Epicurus taught the ethics of his philosophy in his school, that a person should live by "the art of making life happy", and that "prudence is the noblest part of philosophy"(newadvent.org). Epicurus ideals for life intrigued people and they began to think that perhaps the ethics of Epicureanism had some truth behind it; a person should live his/her life to the fullest in order to become happy. Epicurus also made judgments on theology, logic and psychology. Throughout the life of Epicurus and his teachings of Epicureanism, the people of Greece and the world widened their view of life as a result of Epicurus teachings. Epicureanism provided a great out-look on what life should be.

During the age of Epicureanism, people questioned the philosophy of Epicurus. In order to understand the history of Epicureanism, the person must first understand the knowledge of how and why it came to be. The how part which helps people to better understand the teachings of Epicureanism is "the art of making life happy." To people in Athens this was reflected by the people as to why they not live their lives to fully while they are in this world. As for the why part, Epicurus decided in 310 B.C that people should want to live their lives knowing that they are living for themselves and not the purpose of pleasing others or society. Epicurus then began to form a new school which would explain why someone would want to live for themselves and not for the satisfaction of someone else. Epicurus said, "We cannot live pleasurably without living prudently, gracefully, and justly; and we cannot live prudently gracefully, and justly, without living pleasurably" (newadvent.org). This made people think that Epicurus was correct. Why should someone live life to in submission when, in fact, if he/she lives life to be fulfilled then they would feel better about their life and not have so many worries. Thus, the Epicurean way isn't too far from today's world views on how Americans live. Thomas Jefferson, during the history of America, admitted that the teachings of Epicureanism, by saying this quote, "Epicureanism and Epicurus give laws for governing ourselves, Jesus a supplement of the duties and charities we owe to others,"(epicurus.net). Through the eyes of the beholder a person can be able to see that Epicureanism, in fact, can be put into the context of life without really thinking about the philosophy. The history of Epicureanism is important for people because his teachings are simple enough to live by, without submitting.

The ethics behind Epicureanism are very simple. Epicurus demonstrates that experience shows happiness is not best attained by directly seeking it. The selfish are not more happy but less so than the unselfish. This statement is very powerful for the simple person. Epicurus proves that if a person seeks to be happy he/she usually won't be able to find true happiness.

Epicurus states

Thus although virtue is inseparable from pleasure and necessary if we are to be happy, it is to be chosen not for its own sake but for the sake of pleasure. Beauty and the virtues and the like are to be honored if they provide pleasure, but, if they do not, we must say goodbye to them.(Intro. Epicurus, 124)

Happiness can only be found through the desire to be happy first, and then it maybe sought.

Another ethic for Epicureanism is friendship. For Epicurus, the teachings of friendship are plain and simple. He teaches that if a person uses friendship for the sake of advantage, it is not true friendship in the proper sense of the word. If a person uses external actions to gain things, apart from affection, then it can not represent friendship. In order for friendship to be fulfilled, the person must show that deep down, he or she, would be there for a friend and in his other deepest thoughts of giving up and having problems, then that person, would help him or her through them, and not just walk away.

If friendships exist for the sake of advantage, and are employed in the search for the highest pleasure, there may be a point at which their claims will have to be set aside.(Intro. Epicurus, 129)

For friendship, virtue tends to produce the truest and highest pleasure of all. Epicureanism is also based on the ethics of truth. The test of truth is pleasant and a painful belief. Epicurus is teaching that the truth is shown, just as a dog may bark furiously at a person that the dog has never seen before, but welcomes strangers belonging to the master. Through the system of showing truth, a person can see that it is a hard road travel, but it is the most satisfying. Another virtue comes from the head itself, known as wisdom. Epicurus identifies this as the most basic virtue. To live wisely, by Epicurean standards, is to bring a broad awareness of life down to the level of our daily existence, thereby establishing a context for intelligent