This chapter explores the distinctions between necessary, extravagant, and corrosive desires, and how they influence our happiness and fulfillment. It contrasts Epicurean and Stoic perspectives on desires, underscoring the significance of maintaining a balance in fulfilling our various desires.
Over 2,000 years ago, Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, made a simple yet bold claim. The key to the good life, he said, is to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Is it really that easy? To answer that question, we turn to Emily Austin, a professor of philosophy at Wake Forest and author of “Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life.”
(This episode first aired in January 2023.)