I think Epicureanism is a reasonable philosophy, and I do take a sort-of “do what works for you” approach to choosing a philosophy of life. It may not be the case that one is supremely true above all others and that only one works, but rather that it’s simply good to have a philosophy of life and code to live by.
I do prefer the greater focus on virtue in Stoicism though since I think it means everyone can have a life worth living regardless of their circumstances. Even though Epicureanism is about simple pleasures and enjoying what we have and is not hedonism, I think it can still cause distress if you find it difficult to achieve even that.
We can still learn a lot from Epicurus though, as Seneca did!
Matthew, right, as Seneca says, we can learn from anyone who has something good to say. That said, I also prefer Stoicism’s emphasis on virtue, and I am allergic to the Epicurean advice to stay away from politics (because it causes pain).
Thank you for the reminder that like Cynicism or Stoicism, Epicureanism as a word in the vernacular has come to mean something that is contrary to the spirit of the original meaning. Philosophy as a way of life, if based on any of these traditions, runs counter to our modern consumerism as a way of life. No wonder defenders of consumerism use the names of philosophical schools as euphemisms for nihilism, fatalism and hedonism respectively
Bob, indeed. Though a good part of the blame probably goes to the Catholic Church, especially as far as Epicureanism is concerned. They really disliked that philosophy.
Ironic, given that a secluded life in a walled garden separated from the worldly desires and surrounded by books and friends sounds suspiciously like a very well run monastery
I think Epicureanism is a reasonable philosophy, and I do take a sort-of “do what works for you” approach to choosing a philosophy of life. It may not be the case that one is supremely true above all others and that only one works, but rather that it’s simply good to have a philosophy of life and code to live by.
I do prefer the greater focus on virtue in Stoicism though since I think it means everyone can have a life worth living regardless of their circumstances. Even though Epicureanism is about simple pleasures and enjoying what we have and is not hedonism, I think it can still cause distress if you find it difficult to achieve even that.
We can still learn a lot from Epicurus though, as Seneca did!
Matthew, right, as Seneca says, we can learn from anyone who has something good to say. That said, I also prefer Stoicism’s emphasis on virtue, and I am allergic to the Epicurean advice to stay away from politics (because it causes pain).
Certainly I was always led to believe Epicureanism was avarice and greed, amassing all the tasty goods available,
Thank you for the reminder that like Cynicism or Stoicism, Epicureanism as a word in the vernacular has come to mean something that is contrary to the spirit of the original meaning. Philosophy as a way of life, if based on any of these traditions, runs counter to our modern consumerism as a way of life. No wonder defenders of consumerism use the names of philosophical schools as euphemisms for nihilism, fatalism and hedonism respectively
Bob, indeed. Though a good part of the blame probably goes to the Catholic Church, especially as far as Epicureanism is concerned. They really disliked that philosophy.
Ironic, given that a secluded life in a walled garden separated from the worldly desires and surrounded by books and friends sounds suspiciously like a very well run monastery
Indeed! Many of the Epicurean communities were located where later on Christians built monasteries.