1. The Pursuit of Happiness
EPICUREANISM
The Pursuit of Happiness

2. From Hellenism to Rome Classical Athens: Rational Humanism
Power and stability of democratic city-state
Critical assessment of individual & community
Individual defined by capacity to reason
Aim at good society, good life via reason
Hellenistic Society: Cosmopolitanism
Political instability, monarchy, cultural expansion
Value of individual & community put into question
Issues related to alienation, fatalism, and virtue
Classical Athens: founded on stability and achievements of city-state
Hellenistic Society: founded on the instability of city-state, exposure to E-W cultures and formation of large scale empires

3. Epicurus ( BCE)
Born around 341 B.C.E., seven years after Plato's death, in the Athenian colony of Samos, an island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Epicurus moved to Athens around 306 B.C.E. and founded the Garden, a combination of philosophical community and school. The residents of the Garden put Epicurus' teachings into practice.
Epicurus died from kidney stones around 271 or 270 B.C.E. 
After Epicurus' death, Epicureanism continued to flourish as a philosophical movement.
Epicureanism went into decline with the rise of Christianity. Epicurus' thought were revived during the Renaissance.

4. Epicureanism
Nothing lasts forever, and we must accept this fact cheerfully. If we are to be happy, it is wiser to recognize that life will consist of things other than pleasure.
No one can sustain pleasure over prolonged periods of time.
We must, therefore, exert control and enjoy pleasure in moderation.
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5. The Garden
Encouraged withdrawal from political life into communities of like-minded individuals (Gardens in Athens)
Pleasure, he said, is the beginning and the end of the blessed life.
Right thinking is manifested in living a simple life of affection among friends and in having as few desires as possible.

7. Body free from pain Pleasure and pain natural and necessary sensations
Can reduce pain by avoiding painful things
Increase pleasure by pursuing pleasurable things.
But, a prudent life (virtuous) tells us not all pleasure is good, nor all pain bad.
Moderation in pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain
Friendship and other social/intellectual pleasures included.
“Moderate Hedonism”

9. Epicureanism Reconsidered
It has been accused of being as firmly rooted in self-interest as the philosophy from which it departs (hedonism).
It has been accused of creating people who are more interested in their own peace of mind than in social causes.
Perhaps Epicureanism is not a complete philosophy, but it is a way to glimpse a group of people trying to find a peaceful and serene way of life in a rapidly changing world.

10. Philosophy Comparisons
Aim
Means
Comments
Plato
A just or well-order soul
Each part of the soul doing its part well; reason rules…
Knowledge of the good is paramount; wisdom
Aristotle
Eudaimonia: happiness as a well ordered life as a whole
Virtues: character traits that are means between extremes…
Hierarchy of goods and necessities of good life; a whole life
Epicureanism
Eudaimonia:
Ataraxia or mind and body free from disturbance
Moderate Hedonism:
Prudent action and understanding of nature; avoid pain, moderate pleasure
Materialism and removal of irrational fear as cause of distrubances
Stocisim
Ataraxia or pathe: rational constancy in accord with nature
Moderate Fatalism:
Knowing what is/is not within one’s control; adjusting desires to nature of things.
Pantheistic, fatalistic, moral conventionalism, modesty; cosmopolitanism

11. Letter to Manoeceus
What is the best sort of life, according to Epicurus?
What sorts of things should we pursue, and what should we avoid, on his account?
Do you find his picture of the good life attractive? Why or why not?

12. Recap: https://www. youtube. com/watch
Recap: Homework: due October 5