What's the Difference Between Stoicism and Epicurianism?

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Stoicism and epicurianism started at exactly the same time. They're like cross town rivals. Epicure has said, friends do not merely contribute to one's happiness, they contribute the most. Our friendships are maybe the single most important thing to our contentment,. production of anxiety, all these things.

The Greek philosopher Epicurus made a rather bold claim over two thousand years ago. The key to life, he said, was simple: pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Around this maxim he developed a school of philosophy, Epicureanism, which promised its adherents that if they took care of their basic needs, surrounded themselves with trustworthy friends, and developed a basic understanding of science, they would be happy. But is it really that simple? Can the advice of someone born 2,363 years ago still hold true? To answer these questions, we turned to Emily Austin, professor of philosophy at Wake Forest University and author of the delightful new book "Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life.”

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